Clinical Psychology

Entry requirements

• Applicants with a psychology degree

  A BPS accredited psychology degree with a 1st or 2:1 classification. Applicants with a BPS accredited 2:2 psychology undergraduate degree will be considered if they hold a completed relevant PhD or completed a relevant Master's degree and meet one of the following:

  • obtained 65% or above
  • were awarded the overall classification of Merit
  • were awarded the overall classification of Distinction.

  For example, if a candidate obtained 62% in their Master's degree but were awarded a Merit, they would meet the above criteria.

  Applicants with a non-psychology degree

  A non-psychology degree at 2.1 or above together with a BPS accredited psychology MSc at 60% or above, which confers GBC. Applicants who were awarded a 2.2 for their undergraduate degree in a non-psychology subject, must complete an accredited postgraduate conversion course in psychology and meet one of the following:

  • obtained 65% or above
  • were awarded the overall classification of Merit
  • were awarded the overall classification of Distinction.

  For example, if a candidate obtained 62% in their Master's degree but were awarded a Merit, they would meet the above criteria.

  All applicants

  All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS and
  • Clinically relevant work experience.

  In line with national requirements, we adopt a values­-based approach to our selection process. This requires us to attract and select students on the basis that their individual values and behaviour align with the six core values set out in the NHS Constitution.

  You will also require a full driving licence which allows you to drive with no restrictions within the UK and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

  For more information on the programmes entry requirements and its six core values, please see our Application and Selection page.

  International students

  If English is not your first language you are required to have an IELTS with an overall score of 7.5 with no element below 7.5. The test must have been taken within the last two years.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

Please note this course is taught at our Salomons Institute of Allied Psychology.

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) is a reputable, three-year, full-time professional training programme that integrates advanced study, clinical practice, and research.

Designed to meet the rigorous accreditation standards of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS), the course leads to professional registration as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK.

Doctorate students are usually employed as clinical psychology trainees within the NHS (Agenda for Change, Band 6), gaining hands-on experience in a variety of clinical and community settings across London, Kent, and Sussex.

This close partnership with the NHS will ensure you develop the wide-ranging competencies, reflective practice, and leadership skills required to excel in clinical roles.

Throughout the doctorate, you’ll receive expert supervision and academic support from leading clinical psychologists and researchers.

You’ll also undertake a substantial research project that contributes to the evidence base of psychological practice, ensuring you graduate as both a skilled practitioner and confident researcher.

Why study a DClinPsychol Clinical Psychology at CCCU?

• Our doctorate is fully accredited by The British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professions Council.
• We offer one of the largest and longest established Clinical Psychology training courses in the UK and have a national reputation for excellence and innovative practice.
• Become a valued member of the Graduate College as a CCCU postgraduate student.

Learning and teaching

The Clinical Psychology programme at the University's Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology has been running for over 40 years and is the second largest of its kind in the UK.

Over the years we have trained hundreds of clinical psychologists, and our team has gained a national reputation for offering a high quality, innovative and broad­-based training experience.

We employ a very wide range of teaching methods using the most up to date audio-visual aids and virtual learning platforms. Teaching takes place in small group seminars and lectures, involving experiential learning, reflective practice, and problem-based learning methods.

All teaching emphasises the links between theory, research and practice, attending to issues of difference and diversity. The involvement of service users in teaching is a hallmark our approach to teaching and learning.

You will typically be at the University's Salomons Institute for teaching two days in each week with occasional weekly teaching blocks. This teaching is undertaken in synchrony with your clinical placements (taking place on the other three days) so that there are excellent opportunities for theory-practice linkage – the doing and learning going hand in hand.

All teaching is undertaken by highly experienced practicing clinicians working within local NHS Trusts in our region or by our highly experienced programme staff.

Your future career

Upon successfully completing our three-year full­-time doctorate, you will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a fully qualified clinical psychologist.

This enables you to work in the NHS or other mental health services, undertaking clinical practice with a wide range of people experiencing diverse mental health difficulties.

Clinical psychologists work with children, adolescents and their families and carers, adults, older people, and those with physical and learning disabilities, amongst a wide range of other specialties.

Undertaking research, and supervision of and consultation to, other mental health professionals, teams and services are also key components of the job.

The doctoral training you undertake with us will prepare you with the skills to undertake all the many and varied facets of this diverse and interesting career.

Visit the DClinPsychol Clinical Psychology page on the Canterbury Christ Church University website for more details!

Information for international students

Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications from International Students. For more information please visit our website.

Fees and funding

We can only consider applicants for NHS-funded places who meet ‘home’ fees status and who have the right to work in the UK. Additionally, NHS-funded places are only available to applicants who intend to work in NHS funded services upon the completion of training.

Successful NHS-funded applicants are employed as trainee clinical psychologists by the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who formally manage all aspects of their contract of employment. Trainees are paid on Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scales.