MSc Research in Clinical Psychology

This programme has been specifically designed for those intending to pursue a career in clinical psychology and to apply for a place on the professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, but it is also ideal for those interested in a research career or PhD in the area of clinical psychology and mental health. The programme enables students to gain detailed knowledge about modern theories and models in relation to psychopathology and psychological assessment as well as about effective psychological interventions and therapies. It also provides broad research training in quantitative and qualitative research, and offers education about the role of professional clinical psychologists along with training in essential clinical skills. The programme includes a Research Internship in Clinical Psychology which is a particularly attractive module enabling students to gain experience with professional research in clinical psychology.

This masters course is:

Designed to strengthen the research competence and academic profile of those intending to apply for professional training in clinical psychology.
Offers broad postgraduate research training in quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to clinical psychology and mental health in general.
Includes a Research Internship in Clinical Psychology.

This course is ideal for those considering a professional or research career in clinical psychology and wish to strengthen their academic CV.

Applicants must have a 2.1 or first BSc honours degree in Psychology (or overseas equivalent).

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. The following qualifications will be considered; IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any band and a 6.5 in written and spoken English) or equivalent. Please contact the International Office for details. If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.

Please note that this MSc does not replace an accredited doctoral training programme in Clinical Psychology, nor will it guarantee entry to such a programme or provide a professional qualification in clinical psychology.

Why choose this course?
The main educational aims of the programme are to provide you with a thorough knowledge about clinical psychology as an academic and professional discipline, and to develop your research competence in a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods of particular relevance to clinical psychology. Core knowledge areas such as psychopathology, psychological assessment and various types of psychological intervention are each taught in specific modules. You will be introduced to leading theories or models in each field and the scientific evidence on which they are based will be critically discussed. Important research paradigms and controversies dominating current scientific debates within clinical psychology will be presented, and you will learn and practice how to critically appraise published research.

You will receive extensive training in a range of essential research skills and we will be discussing various types of research design for investigating the aetiology of mental health problems, for evaluating the effectiveness of psychological therapies and for auditing mental health services.

The research training also includes:

Advanced methods of statistical data analysis with exercises in SPSS
You will learn how to professionally report and communicate the findings.
Qualitative research methods, for example, Grounded Theory will be taught in a specialist module and you will learn to use software for the coding and interpretation of transcripts.
Each student will be allocated to a senior researcher for a Research Internship, a particularly valuable learning experience enabling you to prepare an impressive MSc Research Project which will be your most important academic achievement of the programme.