Course summary

This course introduces students to the field of Clinical Psychology and the competencies required within the scientist-practitioner model of Clinical Psychology. These competencies will be developed through taught modules, an extended research project, and clinically relevant placements. The programme provides a balance of academic, research and clinical experiences throughout which reflects relevant and up to date knowledge and skills and ensures that contemporary psychological practice and research is promoted. Trainees are expected to become critical consumers of and to contribute to research, and the emerging knowledge base. Students will have opportunities to participate in on-going research programmes within the University of Cambridge Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry and other departments. Our approach to evidence-based therapies and holistic and rigorous psychological practice links directly to lifespan research and a sophisticated understanding of the complexity of factors associated with mental health and ill-health across the lifespan. This course recognises the importance of societal and cultural factors with the expectation that students will develop an identity as “system leaders” who have a role to play in implementing policies grounded in psychologically informed evidence-based prevention for the entire population and tackling inequalities in mental health, wellbeing and access to high quality care. The educational aims of the course are: to acquire theoretical knowledge specific and relevant to the field of Clinical Psychology; to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and to interpret research and its application to the practice of Clinical Psychology; to give students the opportunity to work in a mental health or mental health related setting to develop skills required for the practice of Clinical Psychology. Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and an introductory understanding of: psychological, and other relevant, theory and evidence, related to a range of client groups, presentations, psychological therapies, psychological assessment frameworks, and treatment and prevention approaches required for competent clinical practice and research; developing working alliances with clients, carers and/or services; psychological assessment; formulations based on psychological theories and knowledge; psychological interventions; how to evaluate practice through outcome measurement, supervision, and other methodologies; communicating effectively with clients, referrers and others, orally and in writing; conducting rigorous and relevant scientific research with: a broad understanding of modern research techniques applicable to Clinical Psychology research; expertise in research methods, data analysis and statistics, and application of the methods to interpret the data collected during the research project; originality in the application of knowledge, together with the practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field; participation in scientific discourse through written material, oral and poster presentations. Continuing Those who wish to progress to a PhD after completing an MPhil will be required to satisfy a potential supervisor, Head of Department and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve the higher degree.