This programme comprises a combination of academic teaching, research and research training, and professional training during clinical placements. You complete five placements in a range of health settings in the West Midlands. We encourage an attitude of critical open-mindedness to a range of theories and models, and emphasise the importance of evidence-based practice and reflection on clinical work.
The programme is examined by continuous assessment, with students completing a series of assignments and projects over the three years.
Research, which is conducted in the second and third years of the programme, is written up for examination in the form of two papers for publication. The programme is organised on a collaborative basis with local NHS psychologists, and many local clinicians are involved in teaching.
Birmingham is one of the major centres for clinical psychology training in the UK and most graduates take up posts in NHS departments: candidates offered a place on the programme are funded by salaries provided by the NHS.
This programme is subject to a Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise regulations, to which trainees are required to sign up.
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Candidates must have: a high 2:1 (this generally means a GPA of 65 or above), or a 2:1 plus a clinically relevant higher degree, or a first class degree. They must also have one year full time clinically relevant experience such that they can demonstrate they have been either applying psychological principles in a clinical setting or engaged in research that is relevant to a clinical population (e.g. as a research assistant or as part of a Masters or Phd). The experience could be spread across two years but must equate to one year full time. Mature candidates with relevant professional backgrounds and qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Candidates must also have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society. For guidance on the kinds of experience considered to be relevant when applying for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate, please visit the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology’s website.
International students
The ClinPsyD is only open to Psychology graduates who are registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). If your qualifications are not from the UK or the Republic of Ireland, you will need to have them assessed by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to see if they can grant you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). You must do this by applying for membership of the BPS for more information on this process and on Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.
Standard English language requirements apply
For candidates whose first language is not English or whose first degree was not taught in English the minimum requirements for TOEFL/IELTS are: 100 for internet-based TOEFL with no less than 23 in any band, 600 for paper-based TOEFL (TWE4) or 7.0 for IELTS with no less than 6.5 in any band.