Overview

The details

Course: Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 3 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Health and Social Care (School of)

This course is open until 22 November 2023 for 2024 entry via the Clearing House.

The University of Essex Doctorate in Clinical Psychology has been training people to become reflective and highly competent clinical psychologists since October 2005. The programme was developed in partnership with commissioners from the Health Education East of England, the University of Essex, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Trusts based in Essex.

Course Features

The programme benefits from the input and support of clinicians based in South and North East Essex, particularly Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Some input into psychodynamic teaching is also provided by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. The programme is housed in the vibrant academic and research community of the School of Health and Social Care, which has an excellent reputation for research and teaching in health and social care, and it is committed to inter-professional learning.

Some of the benefits of studying on our programme include:

Our relatively small trainee cohorts offer trainees the opportunity to work closely with the programme team and with one another. Such close working relationships, combined with robust and holistic support systems for trainees' personal and professional development, provide an optimal training experience and foundation for trainees' career-long personal and professional development.
The programme is particularly well integrated with local research and clinical networks. Clinicians working in the region contribute directly to the course through teaching, supervision (on placements and as field research supervisors) and other aspects of the programme. This close collaboration provides many opportunities for ensuring strong theory-practice integration.
Trainees on this programme benefit from teaching input from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the possibility for some trainees to have a 3rd year placement there.
The programme aims to develop the critical and reflective competencies of trainees. We provide learning opportunities for developing flexibility, leadership skills and reflective practice that are essential to meet the challenges faced by the profession of clinical psychology and by health services.

We place a priority on responding to trainees' feedback and on reviewing and updating the way in which training is delivered in order to remain responsive to current needs and developments at the forefront of clinical psychology.

Key values and principles that underpin our course include:

We view training as a collaborative enterprise between stakeholders including trainees, clients, carers, NHS services and Trusts, local clinicians, and professional/regulatory bodies. The programme engages these stakeholders to remain responsive to local mental health needs.
Trainees are adult learners and junior colleagues who contribute to the overall training programme and one another's training experience. The programme team places a premium on clear communication and consultation in decision-making, incorporating the views of trainees, service users and other stakeholders in the effective delivery of the training programme.
The programme equips trainees to apply psychological knowledge and theory to research and practice in the service of reducing psychological distress and promoting and enhancing psychological wellbeing.
Trainee clinical psychologists on our programme develop all competencies required of clinical psychologists by the HCPC and the BPS. We consider a competent clinical psychologist to be more than the sum of a number of competencies. Our reflective and integrative focus enables trainees to develop meta-competencies required for reflective, integrative, ethical, autonomous research and evidence-based practice.
The programme does not focus on one model or approach, but instead draws on a number of different models and approaches including behavioural, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, systemic and integrative approaches alongside developmental, socio-political, critical and other perspectives. The main therapeutic modalities are CBT, systemic and short term psychodynamic models.
The programme is committed to recognising, accommodating and embracing diversity. This is reflected in the recruitment and selection of trainees and throughout the training, which emphasises the importance of developing cultural and diversity-related competence in research and clinical practice.

The School of Health and Social Care is proud to work closely with our Service User Reference Group (SURG). SURG is made up of service users, carers, and volunteers who generously share their first-hand experiences of health and social care. We work collaboratively with SURG to design our courses to ensure that we truly are putting the needs of patients and clients at the heart of what we do. SURG are involved as part of our course application processes and often form part of our interview panels. This helps us to be confident that we are selecting the right applicants for the course and their future careers. SURG members also support the delivery of our teaching sessions and research activity, which means you'll benefit from an insight into their lived experiences of living with a diagnosis, health condition, or circumstance. You'll find that not only does your clinical knowledge expand, but your empathy, compassion and ability to advocate develops also.

Read about our DCP ASPIRE Mentorship programme here.

Professional accreditation

Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Why we're great.

Taught modules help to guide and support your development of your research skills.
Gain the tools to demonstrate your expertise in both clinical practice and academic research.
Work with staff in our School who have both clinical experience and academic credibility.

Placement year

Placements are generally based in Essex and range from a six-mile radius from the University up to approximately a 40-mile radius.

Clinical supervision is provided in accordance with BPS guidance for doctoral training. An agreed placement contract between supervisor and trainee is drawn up at the start of the placement, with guidance from a University programme team member and will govern all placement arrangements. Our trainees consistently remark on the excellent supervision offered by their clinical supervisors, who offer at least one hour of formal supervision a week in addition to further informal contact. Supervision includes discussion on personal and professional development issues, including the resolution of any difficulties that might impede the trainee's capacity to fulfil their training contract. Supervision includes opportunities not only for such discussion of placement experiences and learning but also for direct observation of clinical work, both by the trainee of the supervisor and by the supervisor of the trainee. The trainee's university tutor carries out all placement reviews mid-way through the placement.

Our expert staff

Dr Frances Blumenfeld, Programme Director
Dr Danny Taggart, Academic Director/Lecture/ Clinical Tutor
Dr Susan McPherson, Senior Lecturer/Research Tutor
Dr Ben Donner, Lecturer/Clinical Tutor
Dr Jo Wilson, Lecturer/Clinical Tutor
Dr Alison Spencer, Lecturer/Clinical Tutor
Dr Andy Sluckin, Lecturer/Clinical Tutor
Dr Hugo Senra, Lecturer/Research Tutor

Specialist facilities

As part of the University, you have access to our state-of-the-art library and the very latest equipment and IT facilities to assist you with the effective learning and acquisition of new skills. As a School, we have purpose built facilities where you can meet to discuss your progress and ongoing work.

Our staff offer approachable support at all levels. Our university student support network can also offer you help with personal and study issues during your time with us.

You also have access to an excellent theatre and sports and social club experiences at Essex.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

Before making your application please read Clinical Psychology page which includes FAQs and guidance for all applicants, and the pro-formas required for a self-funded application (Links to the pro-formas are also provided below).

Whether you are a Home/EU or overseas applicant, the entry requirements are the same. All applicants should apply via the Clearing House,

• Applicants taking up an NHS funded place will be employed as a salaried trainee clinical psychologist by the host NHS Trust for the duration of the training.

• There are no self-funded places available on the course.

Applicants to the programme should:

Have the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.
Demonstrate at least one year's full-time, or equivalent, clinical or research experience relevant to clinical psychology. Applicants need to demonstrate that they have a realistic understanding of what the work of clinical psychologists entails and demonstrate experience of applying psychological theory in a clinical setting.

AND possess one of the following:

A BPS accredited degree in Psychology with a high 2:1 or above. The average mark for third year modules must be 65% or above.

A recognised international degree in Psychology, equivalent to a UK high 2:1 degree (over 65%).

A BPS accredited conversion degree in Psychology with an average mark of 65% or above.

A 2:2 honours degree in Psychology with subsequent demonstration of academic competence, for example through achieving 65% or above (or equivalent) at Masters/Doctoral level in a research degree relevant to clinical psychology.

Applicants also need to understand the role of clinical psychologists working within the UK healthcare system and demonstrate their understanding and adherence to core NHS principles and values. Applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to applying psychological research and theories in a clinical setting. Applicants applying to NHS funded places on the programme need to demonstrate a commitment to working within the UK NHS and social care.

The programme does not offer Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL).

You must also have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (including child and adult barred list check) and an Occupational Health Check - both of these are organised by the University.

A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

Demonstrate proficiency in English. If your first language is not English you will need to obtain at least level 7 (with no component below 7) on the IELTS or equivalent (eg TOEFL). The IELTS test should have been taken within the last two years. Note, there are no exceptions to this requirement.

Structure

Course structure

Our Programme Specification gives more detail about the structure available to our current students, including details of all optional modules.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Supervised Clinical Practice - Year 1

(30 CREDITS)

This module involves the processes and assessments relating to the development of ten core competencies at a level commensurate with the first year of training and relevant to working with adults and older adults. You complete two supervised practice placements (or their equivalent).

View Supervised Clinical Practice - Year 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Clinical Applications 1

(30 CREDITS)

This module covers three topic areas: Adult Mental Health, Older Adult Mental Health, and Neuropsychology. It allows you to gain the knowledge, understanding and competencies required to provide clinical psychological services to Adults, Older Adults, and people who require neuropsychological assessment and related interventions.

View Clinical Applications 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Clinical Research 1

(60 CREDITS)

This module aims to enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and values to plan and conduct research relevant to clinical psychology in health, social care or community settings. It will help you to acquire a broad understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods for research within clinical psychology.

View Clinical Research 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Personal and Professional Development 1

(15 CREDITS)

On this module, you will attend fortnightly clinical seminars which foster reflective practice regarding your experience of training and your clinical practice placements; attend a reflective group; focus on diversity issues relevant to clinical psychology practice, theory and research; and explore the professional role and identity of clinical psychologist trainees.

View Personal and Professional Development 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

Clinical Interventions and Skills 1

(15 CREDITS)

This module lays the foundation for the clinical skills needed to work with adults and older people in the NHS and private and voluntary sectors. This includes both generic clinical skills and specific skills in two major approaches: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy. The module combines a range of approaches to facilitate your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to these approaches.

View Clinical Interventions and Skills 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Supervised Clinical Practice 2

(30 CREDITS)

This module involves the processes and assessments relating to the development of ten core competencies at a level commensurate with the second year of training and relevant to working with people with intellectual disabilities, children and adolescents. You complete two supervised practice placements (or their equivalent), involving work with people with intellectual disabilities and children and adolescents (CAMHS).

View Supervised Clinical Practice 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Clinical Applications 2

(30 CREDITS)

This module develops your knowledge, understanding and core competencies in working with children and adolescents, their families, and people with intellectual disabilities. It provides you with the required knowledge, understanding and skills to make links between theory and practice within second-year placements in CAMHS and in services for people with intellectual disabilities.

View Clinical Applications 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Clinical Research 2

(30 CREDITS)

Start to develop specialist research-related competencies, building on the foundation of some of your first-year modules. Your learning and development will be supported by research tutors and other academic staff who will be available to discuss your developing research ideas. Module assessment involves submission of a Service Related Project (SRP).

View Clinical Research 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Personal and Professional Development 2

(15 CREDITS)

On this module, you will attend fortnightly clinical seminars which foster reflective practice regarding your experience of training and your clinical practice placements; attend a reflective group; focus on diversity issues relevant to your second year of training, especially in relation to learning disability and working with children and families; and explore the professional role and identity of clinical psychologist trainees.

View Personal and Professional Development 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

Clinical Interventions and Skills 2

(15 CREDITS)

This module provides you with the clinical skills required for your second-year placement, working within services for children and adolescents (CAMHS) and people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, this module includes teaching on the theory and practice of systemic therapy.

View Clinical Interventions and Skills 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Supervised Clinical Practice 3

(30 CREDITS)

This module aims to enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and values to work effectively in specialist service settings such as physical health, drugs and alcohol, neuropsychology, forensic, specialist CBT, and other settings. This modules comprises supervised clinical practice on two six-month clinical placements (in some cases on one year-long placement). The precise nature of each placement will vary in accordance with the nature of the service and the needs of the service users.

View Supervised Clinical Practice 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Clinical Applications 3

(30 CREDITS)

This module further develops your understanding of integrative therapies and community psychology. The critical psychology topic area draws on critical psychology perspectives. Throughout this module, the emphasis is on developing your competencies in relation to the evaluation of and critical reflection on a broad range of psychological models and approaches relevant to working within complex settings.

View Clinical Applications 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Clinical Research 3

(180 CREDITS)

This module supports you in producing your thesis and provides you with further support in working towards the dissemination of your findings.

View Clinical Research 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Personal and Professional Development 3

(15 CREDITS)

On this module, clinical seminars and a reflective group focus on further developing your competencies and sense of your professional identity as you near the end of your training. You also focus on a diversity topic relevant to your third year of training, and consider your professional move to qualified status.

View Personal and Professional Development 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

Clinical Intervention and Skills 3

(15 CREDITS)

This module provides you with the competencies to work effectively with people with personality disorder and to work within forensic settings, including understanding requirements relating to providing court reports and expert witness work. Additionally, provision is made for specialist, elective teaching on the basis of topics identified in consultation with trainees. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.

View Clinical Intervention and Skills 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Health and Social Care - Research

(0 CREDITS)

You undertake a dissertation of 40,000 words on a subject relevant to your specialist area of practice. Dissertation workshops are held throughout the academic year which will help you to select a topic for your dissertation and provide guidance on writing up your research.

View Health and Social Care - Research on our Module Directory

Teaching

The clinical psychology doctorate programme requires first and second year trainees to typically spend two days a week on campus and three days a week on placement during term time. Our terms are slightly longer than the undergraduate terms. In the third year there is a optional module that trainees can take which includes three teaching days in September. After that, there is one day of teaching a week , one consistent study day and three days on placement. In July of the third year , trainees will revert to four days on placement and one day of study.

Dissertation

Undertake a dissertation of 40,000 words on a subject relevant to your specialist area of practice

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£19,000 per year

Fees for funded places are paid by Health Education East of England.

International fee

£25,000 per year

Fee includes £5000 bench fee.

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

Please note, that unlike many other courses at Essex, applications for this course are via Clearing House. You will find full information about our screening and selection process there.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.