School of Psychology

MSc Clinical Psychology

Programme code 8080
Duration

2 years
Course type

Part-time Distance learning
Study location ҹèÊÓƵ Distance OS
Register for open evening

Gain masters-level clinical training that will provide you with the experience and knowledge to fast-track your career. You will obtain a background in the biopsychosocial approach to understanding mental health and an advanced understanding of clinical practice and research with classroom-based practice of key clinical skills embedded in all elements of this course. Study with experts in a range of different therapeutic approaches to gain a broad understanding of intervention models.

Key features
  • The MSc Clinical Psychology offers masters-level clinical training that will provide you with the experience and knowledge you need to fast-track your future career in clinical practice.
  • You will obtain a background in the biopsychosocial approach to understanding mental health.
  • You will acquire an advanced understanding of clinical practice and research with classroom-based practice of key clinical skills embedded in all elements of this course.
  • Study with experts in a range of different therapeutic approaches to gain a broad understanding of intervention models.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • With the supervision and guidance of clinicians and clinical researchers, you will acquire specialist skills and knowledge that will prepare you for your clinical career pathway, with a focus on training related to the core concepts and techniques of clinical psychology.
    The course consists of synchronous and asynchronous materials. Each week students will have access to 2 hours of online pre-recorded content. Live teaching sessions will take place from 9-1pm UK time. All synchronous teaching material will be recorded and made accessible to students after each session.
    Core modules
    Year 1

    PSYC732
    Biopsychosocial approaches to intervention in Psychology 20 credits
    What makes a psychologically based intervention effective? This module covers a range of contemporary interventions for clinical psychological and behavioural problems, focusing on a critical analysis of the psychological mechanisms underlying interventions and explores how laboratory research can be translated into new interventions.
    100% Coursework
    PSYC735
    Neuropsychology and Neuroscience: From lab to community 20 credits
    To show how different cognitive science and neuroscience techniques can be used to advance understanding cognition and how this relates to neurological conditions. Students are introduced to a range of neuropsychological conditions including Acquired Brain Injuries, Parkinson’s and dementia and approaches to intervention from lab through to hospital and community settings.
    100% Coursework
    PSYC736
    Becoming a Practitioner Psychologist 20 credits
    This module provides foundational knowledge in the theory and practice of clinical psychology and other practitioner psychologist roles. The module introduces students to the social, cultural and legal context in which mental health professions operate.
    100% Practicals
    PSYC728 Brain Body and Pain
    This module introduces students to the intrinsic links between body, brain and mind through a range of long-term conditions with both physical and psychological components, including cancer, functional conditions and endocrine disorders. Students will also learn about mechanisms of pain and the role of individual differences that impact on individuals with such long-term conditions.
    Year 2

    PSYC727
    MSc Research Project 60 credits
    Conducting research poses a unique set of challenges in clinical areas. This module supports students to tackle a small-scale research project and to analyse and report results.
    90% Coursework
    10% Practicals
    PSYC733
    Advanced Skills and Techniques for Psychological Research Part 1 20 credits
    The module introduces students to a range of approaches to data collection including interviewing, surveys, computer programming, systematic reviewing and EEG. It also provides students with a grounding in core research skills such as writing, literature reviewing and conducting service evaluation.
    100% Coursework
    PSYC731
    Core Competencies for Clinical Practice in Psychology 20 credits
    This module introduces students to core competencies in clinical practice. Practical and experiential learning help students develop these competencies, and reflective activities aid students in the process of taking control of their own professional development — identifying strengths, weaknesses and formulating a plan for treatment.
    50% Coursework
    50% Practicals
    The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.
    Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

    Core modules

    PSYC728DL
    Brain, Body and Pain

    This module introduces students to the intrinsic links between body, brain and mind through a range of long-term conditions with both physical and psychological components, including cancer, functional conditions and endocrine disorders. Students will also learn about mechanisms of pain and the role of individual differences that impact on individuals with such long-term conditions.

    PSYC732DL
    Biopsychosocial approaches to intervention in Psychology

    This module covers a range of contemporary interventions for psychological and behavioural problems, including cognitive approaches as well as social aspects that are designed for individuals across the lifespan. The module also looks at the impact of biological mechanisms, development, and individual differences on psychological interventions and explores how laboratory research can be translated into new interventions.

    PSYC735DL
    Neuropsychology and Neuroscience: From Lab to Community

    This module provides a comprehensive overview of core topics in cognitive and biological psychology and demonstrates how different cognitive and neuroscience techniques can be used to advance understanding cognition and relates to neurological conditions. Students are introduced to a range of neuropsychological conditions and approaches to intervention from lab through to hospital and community settings.

    PSYC736DL
    Becoming a Practitioner Psychologist

    This module provides foundational knowledge in the theory and practice of psychology. Students are introduced to social, cognitive, and developmental theories underpinning psychology through critical examination of social, biological and environmental circumstances influencing behaviour with a particular focus on health. Students will learn contemporary approaches to health through a biopsychosocial and developmental lens.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    PSYC731DL
    Core Clinical Competencies for Practice in Psychology

    This module introduces students to core competencies in clinical practice and key elements of professional development. Practical and experiential learning help students develop these competencies, and reflective activities aid students in the process of taking control of their own professional development - identifying strengths, weaknesses and formulating a plan for treatment.

    PSYC733DL
    Techniques for Psychological Research

    The module introduces students to a range of approaches to data collection and analysis approaches including interviewing, surveys, systematic reviewing and experimental design using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies as well as mixed approaches. It also provides students with a grounding in core research skills such as writing, literature reviewing and poster production.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements

UK/EU

A relevant degree with honours or an equivalent professional qualification. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

International

Please view the country specific pages for further information regarding the equivalency of your degree. International applicants will be required to provide evidence of their English language ability, for example by achieving an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent, see our English language requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses are available if you do not meet these requirements.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.

Fees, costs and funding
2024-2025 2025-2026
Home N/A To be confirmed
International N/A To be confirmed
Part time (Home) N/A £575
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

How to apply

Applying for postgraduate study

Applications will be open soon.
Please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1752 585858 to register your interest in applying for this programme.
Please include your name, contact details, email and telephone number, the course that you are interested in and the year you wish to start your studies.
You will be sent further details on how to apply as soon as possible.
Join this course from September 2025. Applications will be open soon.
Please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1752 585858 to register your interest in applying for this programme.
Please include your name, contact details, email and telephone number, the course that you are interested in and the year you wish to start your studies.
You will be sent further details on how to apply as soon as possible.

Why choose ҹèÊÓƵ?

ҹèÊÓƵ is one of the top Psychology departments in the UK. Programmes run in conjunction with the School’s existing taught programmes, including its BPS-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology and MSc in Psychological Research Methods programmes.
Psychology staff that are qualified to teach
80 per cent of staff in the School of Psychology have teaching qualifications, and many are Higher Education Academy Fellows. All new staff are required to qualify for a fellowship of the HEA. Nationally only 38 per cent of university academics are qualified to teach – you deserve better than that.
Further study and employment opportunities
Many psychology students seek further specialised training in the applied sectors of the field (e.g. forensic psychology, counselling psychology, and organisational psychology). This programme will qualify you for entry into such training programmes. A recent survey of university graduates in the UK indicated that psychology students enter into a wide variety of professions.
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Research opportunities
Staff in the School of Psychology are currently active in research on applied psychology, cognition, perception, neuropsychology, social and developmental psychology. You’ll carry out an independent research project, under the supervision of a member of academic staff.

Research in the School of Psychology

ҹèÊÓƵ is a centre of excellence in psychological research. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework assessment, 100% of our research environment and research impact was rated as either world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), along with 73% of our research outputs (publications). Within , the proportion of our research impact rated as 4* or 3* was equal to or higher than institutions such as Nottingham, Aberdeen, Bath, UCL, Cambridge, and York. Overall, we were ranked above Durham and Bath on 4* and 3* research, and were the top rated department in a modern university.
We have a thriving PhD community, with around 80 doctoral students, as well as purpose-built research facilities.
Learn more about the research in the School of Psychology

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