Postgraduate taught 

Clinical Psychology DClinPsy

Man in despair

This Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is collaboratively funded through NHS Education for Scotland and the University of Glasgow. You will be employed by a local NHS (Scotland) Health Board for the duration of the programme.

  • DClinPsy: 36 months full-time

Why this programme

Clinical Psychology
  • In common with most clinical psychology programmes, the cognitive behavioural approach to psychotherapy is dominant but there is also a substantial teaching input based upon other psychotherapeutic approaches.
  • The programme covers a wide geographical area, including Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Highland and Lanarkshire, and is varied in terms of rural, urban and inner city populations.
  • Psychologists in departments throughout this area are closely involved in the programme, including placement provision, teaching, research supervision and coordination of teaching modules.

    • Main Campus Location

    The main location of this programme is at Gartnavel Hospital in the West of Glasgow, not far from the bustling West End and Gilmorehill Campus. Easy to get to by bus and car.

Programme structure

The programme follows a modularised structure, which integrates academic teaching, clinical practice education and research training. This process underpins the commitment of the programme team to maximising the synergy between the clinical, academic and research components of training and reflects explicitly our commitment to an integrative educational process.

The programme consists of 16 compulsory courses.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Accreditation of Prior Learning

From 2017, trainees who have already completed the NES-funded MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People at Edinburgh University or the MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care at the Universities of Dundee and Stirling will be eligible to complete their doctorate in a shortened timeframe in accordance with the University of Glasgow Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) regulations and procedures. This will result in completion of training five months early in recognition of the skills and knowledge already acquired and demonstrated via completion of the eligible MSc courses. 

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

Clinical psychologists have a demanding role working with a wide range of clients, in a variety of health and social care settings, to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological wellbeing.

This programme produces fit-for-purpose NHS practitioners.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2024-25

DClinPsy

Trainees are funded through NHS Education for Scotland (NES), which pays University fees, trainee salaries, and travel expenses related to teaching. Salaries will commence at the first point of Agenda for Change Band 6, regardless of previous experience. Self-funded trainees will not be considered.

Entry requirements

You must have the British Psychological Society Graduate Basis for Chartering (GBC) and provide proof of this. This usually takes the form of a single or joint 2.1 or above Honours degree in Psychology; however, candidates who have gained GBC by other means will be considered.  

From 2018, eligibility to be considered for a selection interview requires a minimum grade of 2.1 honours (or equivalent) in the degree that conveys GBC. This allows candidates who have a first degree below the 2.1 honours standard in a non-psychology subject to apply for training provided that they have gone on to demonstrate the necessary academic standard via a BPS-approved Psychology conversion course.

Additional practical clinical or research experience of working with children or adults with mental health problems or learning disabilities is an advantage.

We do not consider applications from final-year undergraduates.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • Oxford ELLT 7
  • R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
  • W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

All applications are processed by the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology.

All information on how to apply and the selection procedure can be found on the Clearing House website.

 

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