Courses

Postgraduate Programme Specification

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Programme Code

PSY-DCL-CP

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100494 - Clinical psychology - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

Health Check Required

Yes

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

tbc

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Research

Length of Programme

Full Time - 3 Academic Years

Total Credits for Programme

540

Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution	Queen's University Belfast
School/Department	Psychology
Quality Code https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code Higher Education Credit Framework for England https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england	Level 8
Subject Benchmark Statements https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf	Clinical psychology (2004)
Accreditations (PSRB)
British Psychological Society	Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 17-05-19
Health and Care Professions Council	Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 10-02-11

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Programme Specific Regulations

Exit award – Masters awards. Should students not pass sufficient modules to be awarded the Doctorate, a Masters in Applied Psychology may be awarded depending on the number of modules passed and CATs points accrued. At least 180 CATs points must be accrued in this instance. This award will be at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and does NOT confer eligibility to apply for HCPC registration. If a student fails to be awarded the Doctorate due to his or her major piece of research failing to reach doctoral quality, an MPhil may be awarded. The award of an MPhil will be at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Such an award would not confer eligibility to join the HCPC Register. Students may only be awarded ONE of these exit awards depending on modules examined and stage of exit.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Yes
Fitness to Practise programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practise rules.

Educational Aims Of Programme

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

To train students to the standards required by the HCPC Standards of Proficiency and BPS Committee for Training in Clinical Psychology accreditation criteria and the requirements for registration as Clinical Psychologist with the HCPC, and Chartered Psychologist with the BPS, for professional practice in the NHS and other health and social care settings.

To promote clinical psychology knowledge and skills, and related research skills, to doctoral level standards, which equip graduates to work effectively with a range of clients, across the lifespan - with a range of acute and enduring, functional and organic, presentations - and in a range of settings from primary care to tertiary and residential services.

To promote essential skills in psychological assessment utilising psychometric, neuropsychological, clinical interview and observational methods with individuals, families and groups.

To promote competence through academic learning and placement experience in at least two formal models of psychological interventions, one of which must come from the Cognitive Behavioural school. Graduates of the programme should also be able to draw from and integrate interventions from a range of intervention knowledge bases as appropriate.

To promote a reflective, scientist-practitioner, approach to psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. An ethos pervades the course of integrating psychological theory with practice, drawing from the evidence base and service user positions to inform practice and research activities.

To promote knowledge and skills of consultation, leadership and multidisciplinary working which foster the capacity for indirect work to promote health and well-being.

To promote doctoral level research knowledge and skills which will enable the graduate to critically engage with the evidence base of the profession as a contributor, as well as a consumer.

To promote personal awareness and development, in particular with respect to how personal and interpersonal factors and diversity of cultural and sub-cultural contexts, impact on therapeutic processes and professional practice.

To foster the highest calibre of ethical practice in clinical work and research activities, in accordance with the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics, BPS Code of Conduct, professional practice and statutory guidelines at national and regional levels.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Select and synthesise prior knowledge and experience in order to apply this critically and creatively in complex and novel clinical and research situations.