This three-year programme leading to a Clinical Psychology doctorate (DClinPsych), has been established for over 30 years at the University of Southampton. It involves a mix of taught and research activities. Trainees join a thriving academic group which also offers postgraduate qualifications in Health Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Cognitive Therapy. On successful completion (the length of the programme cannot be reduced through the accreditation of prior learning or experience (AP(E)L), they are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to use the protected title 'Clinical Psychologist', and to apply to become a Chartered Psychologist (C Psychol), with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Introducing your
degree
Are you committed to being a ‘scientist-practitioner’ in order to deliver high quality services across a range of clinical settings and to further the field of clinical psychology? Our programme is firmly rooted in the core values of the NHS Constitution and has over 30 years' experience in clinical training in partnership with our local NHS Trusts and related organisations. Our graduates make a real difference to people's lives. The programme is full-time for three years and fulfils the standards of education and training required by the Health & Care Professions Council. It is also accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Programme Overview
The overall aim of this doctorate in clinical psychology programme is to ensure that high quality clinical psychology services are made available to the public. The DClinPsych advocates the use of good case formulation and effective clinical methods with no adherence to a particular theoretical orientation. We value the concept of evidence-based practice; a large part of the teaching is cognitive-behavioural in orientation. We also value the use of evidence-generating practice. Trainees will recognise the value of the research and clinical literatures in determining the optimal treatment for the individual client, but will also acknowledge the use of psychological theory in generating new ideas when the research and clinical literatures are insufficient.
The DClinPsych Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme is currently funded by Health Education England (HEE). Please note that as part of this funding, HEE funded students on this programme are salaried employees of the Somerset NHS Trust. For further information and recent update please visit the Clearing House webpage on Funding.
Applications for this Clinical Psychology doctorate are made 'online' through The Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology, 15 Hyde Terrace, Leeds, LS2 9LT, www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp
Closing date: Early December
Key facts
The programme at Southampton equips you with the knowledge and skills to work with clients across the lifespan, ranging from children to older adults, in a variety of settings and contexts. Your research teaching will enable you to be a reflective-scientist practitioner, capable of adding to the development of Clinical Psychology knowledge and practice.
Applicants are selected on the basis of their potential to train successfully as Clinical Psychologists. There are a number of criteria which must be met in order for an applicant to be considered. These are:
Applicants must also hold, or be expected to attain, a 1st class honours or a 2:1. An applicant with a 2:2 would be considered if they have successfully completed a relevant higher degree, for example an academically demanding MSc. Unfortunately, to meet this criterion we would not accept a 2:2 and a postgraduate diploma. In regard to conversion courses, we similarly require a 2:1 grade.
Applicants must have at least one year’s (full time equivalent), experience of paid or voluntary work in clinical, community, or clinical/academic settings directly relevant to clinical psychology at the closing date for applying, and we do not specify a particular way in which this experience may be gained. Rather, we would suggest that a key point for applicants to consider is whether their experience has been sufficient to develop a good working knowledge of the role of the Clinical Psychologist within the NHS and sufficient clinical experience to be able to discuss in depth a clinical case in which a key therapeutic role has been held. Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet this criterion may be considered if they can demonstrate that they have gained equivalent experience whilst completing a PhD in a clinically relevant area.
We require evidence of competence in Statistics and Research methods as evidenced by a score/rating of 60% or equivalent on Undergraduate Transcripts, or the attainment of a postgraduate qualification in research/statistics, e.g. an MSc or diploma in research. Applicants who do not yet have an undergraduate transcript, or who have completed a conversion course without a detailed transcript, would need to provide formal evidence of statistical/research competence from their University. This could take the form of an academic referee commenting specifically upon these competences on the basis of exam results, or direct involvement in a research study.
If English is not an applicant's first language, they must be able to evidence a good standard of written and spoken English (100 for internet-based TOEFL, 250 for computer-based TOEFL, 600 for paper-based TOEFL or 7.0 for IELTS with no element below 6.5).
The application form must be well written and presented to a professional standard, as it is a key document in the application process.
International applicants must ensure that their degree gives them GBC, that they are ordinarily resident and entitled to work and reside in the UK without restriction. As noted above, they must also provide formal evidence of statistical/research competences.
Being ‘Fit to Practise’ is a requirement of all professions registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and is considered as part of the selection process (see also: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/checks.html).
Please note that following a direction from our NHS Commissioners, we are now only able to offer a place on the Programme to applicants in line with the principles used for awarding full NHS bursaries. This legislation will mostly affect applicants from outside the EEA, but full details can be found at: NHS Bursaries, and there is an "eligibility calculator" at: Personal Eligibility Calculator.
Please also note that as the Programme is NHS funded, we are obliged to only recruit individuals who will remain in the UK NHS workforce after training.
We anticipate offering 19 places for the 2020 intake, and expect to shortlist 44 candidates.
The Southampton DClinPsych programme covers a wide and rural geographical area. Hence, all applicants to Southampton must possess a full valid driving licence at application (subject to reasonable adjustments for disability). All applicants must submit their full driving licence one week before interview date. If applicants cannot submit their driving licence documents they might be ineligible for interview. All candidates must undertake to meet the travel requirements of the programme.
The programme is fully committed to equal opportunities for all students and follows the principles set out in the University of Southampton's Equal Opportunities Policy Statement. All individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. We welcome applications from students with disabilities and have experience of making adjustments necessary for disabled students to complete the programme. However, please note that we do not currently invite applicants for interview on the basis of the "Two Ticks" (disability guaranteed interview), scheme.
Finally, it should be noted that the length of the programme cannot be reduced through the accreditation of prior learning or experience (AP(E)L).
Selection process
There are two stages to our selection procedure:
Stage 1
Applications are screened to make sure they meet the minimum standards in research, statistics, and work experience. They are then rated using a competency based rating procedure based on the Trainee Clinical Psychologist person specification. The competencies cover four key areas: academic/research competence, clinical competence, reflective practice/resilience. Our selection team is managed by our Admissions Tutor and comprises members of the programme team, as well as local NHS Clinical Psychologists, who teach and/or supervise on the programme.
Stage 2
We invite short-listed applicants for two interviews (Clinical and Academic/Research), plus a clinically-relevant role-play.
Given the philosophy of evidence-based and evidence-generating practice, this clinical psychology doctorate programme structure and content are designed with the aims of developing explicit theory-practice links. It is split between academic study, Clinical Experience, research and private study.
Further details, including support and welfare, and evaluation, are given in the DClinPsych programme eHandbook.
Some placements on the Clinical Psychology doctorate call for a large amount of travelling, and it is a great advantage if you possess your own means of transport. Placements are visited and monitored in line with accreditation guidelines. On average, placements are of three and a half days per week (outside of the teaching blocks).
The curriculum is based on the standards of proficiency specified by the HCPC and the core competencies outlined by the BPS. The programme content is arranged in 24 modules which in total attract the 540 credit points required for Doctoral (D) level study in Higher Education. Each module has a separate credit rating which indicates the notional amount of study effort required through attendance at University teaching sessions, on related clinical placement activity or in independent study. The level of assessment is indicated by M (Master’s) or D (Doctoral), with D level implying that a higher level of original work, advanced scholarship, critical analysis and reflection will be expected. Doctoral trainees must demonstrate that they have acquired and understood the systematic knowledge base of the profession, and that they have developed relevant skills to carry out research which will generate relevant new knowledge.
The programme is organised over three full time years and trainees are expected to complete all elements. There is no alternate exit award. In terms of student effort the three years each include 180 credit points (1800 hours). The structure of the programme is as follows:
Each module is assessed by at least one summative assignment. The programme uses a variety of assessment methods including (but not limited to) written and oral case reports, practical demonstration of clinical skills, written research reports, peer review of a journal article, administration of a WAIS, and group and individual presentations of clinical material.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Fees for postgraduate research degrees vary across the University. All fees are listed for UK, EU and international full-time and part-time students alphabetically by course name.
List of tuition fees for this course and it's variations
Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.
Psychology, and the University of Southampton as a whole, have excellent research facilities. There are opportunities for MClinPsych Clinical Psychology doctorate students to conduct their research theses in conjunction with specialist academic staff, or in areas of special interest of other programme team members.
Study locations
Highfield Campus, Shackleton Building (B44)
This is Psychology's main base. It is also known as Building 44, and i...Find out more
