Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Applicants must be studying or have studied on an approved degree from one of our collaborating institutions (for the list of collaborating DClin programmes please see the School of Psychological Sciences website).

In order to meet BPS accreditation requirements, applicants must pass an online entrance assessment set by the University of Bristol and must also submit a 2,000-word essay (on a prescribed topic), which must also be passed. The pass mark for the online assessment and essay is 50%. The combined mark determines whether a candidate has passed the entrance requirements, with the essay weighted 34% and the online assessment 66% of the final mark. Applicants must be able to provide evidence of a minimum of six months' practice experience plus at least one case report (maximum of two) formally undertaken within the prior training programme of our collaborating institution. Please note: the first stage of application is to submit an Expression of Interest form to the School at postgrad-psychology@bristol.ac.uk.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Professional programmes in Clinical Neuropsychology have been offered at the University of Bristol since 2010. The programmes are delivered in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust, which includes a large regional neurosciences and major trauma centre. Our clinical programmes aim to engage and inspire clinicians to enhance their skills in Clinical Neuropsychology and support entry on to the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN). This diploma is designed to support the adult knowledge and practice component of the competency requirements for advanced training in clinical neuropsychology.

This diploma is similar to our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology and delivers both the knowledge component and practice component which support entry to the SRCN. However, it allows you to bring forward learning and case experience from your DClin in order to streamline and accelerate the postdoctoral training required to enter the SRCN. To be eligible to apply to this degree, you must be studying a DClin at a UK University which has a collaborative agreement with the University of Bristol. You can find a list of collaborating institutions on our website.

Around 80% of the taught content is delivered by practising clinicians. You will learn about a range of neuropsychological disorders and pathologies as well as focusing on principles of assessment, formulation and rehabilitation.

In order to accrue relevant clinical experience to support the practice component, it is your responsibility to secure both employment within a neuropsychology service and supervision for your work when enrolled on the programme. We provide additional oversight and support towards developing your portfolio and ensuring your experience demonstrates the required competencies for entry to the SRCN. Support includes feedback on two written case reports and a practice viva experience. This support is provided by clinicians with experience of conducting portfolio vivas for the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN) and conducting vivas on the Bristol pathway.

Those interested in applying to this programme may wish to discuss the process with their DClin team and also find out more about how to apply.

This programme is largely distance based and can be taken from home or work. Please see the Neuropsychology programme webpage for more information.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.