MSc Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology

This MSc Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology programme provides you with a sound scientific understanding of the nature of modern clinical psychology, and can prepare you for clinical, educational, health and research careers.

You will be equipped with clinical skills through an extended placement either in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, or one of our clinical partners. Supervision and training will be given to support this placement. Develop your knowledge and understanding of clinical topics, including evidence-based treatments and common mental health problems across the lifespan. You will learn valuable research skills and conduct your own clinically-relevant research. It is intended that graduates of this course will greatly enhance their employability in clinical settings, either in the UK or internationally.

The clinical placement gives experience in one of our working clinics (e.g. Anxiety and Depression in Young People; Centre for Autism; Speech and Language Therapy) or with local NHS and private partners. The clinical placement programme is for students who wish to develop their skills and knowledge of working with clients further.

The research placement gives experiences within a broad range of research placements relevant to clinical psychology which often involve clinical populations. The research placement programme is aimed at students who wish to study applied psychology and undertake a placement to develop their research skills.

Overall, 99% of graduates from Psychology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 96% are in graduate-level roles. (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes postgraduate [taught] Psychology responders)

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Overview

For more information, please visit the School of Psychology's website.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 7.0 overall with no element less than 6.5

Entry requirements: Typically a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above) in psychology. An understanding of the realities of clinical work is highly desirable.

For the Clinical Placement option, experience in a clinical setting or direct work with clinical psychologists is not required. However, it is important for you to have relevant hands-on voluntary or paid work in a community, clinical, or clinical-academic setting prior to applying. Such experience might be with older adults in a care setting, children with special educational needs in a school, or with adults with mental health difficulties.

As part of the application process for the MSc with Clinical Placement, you will be required to attend an interview.

For the Research Placement option, clinical or other relevant hands-on experience is not required but is highly desirable.

When making a decision we consider all the information provided as part of an application and in particular that the required course-specific questions are answered in the personal statement. Please do ensure that you have read the questions on the form thoroughly, and have followed the instructions before submitting your responses.

Due to the popularity of our programmes and our restricted numbers, we recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

Year 1

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

Introduction to CBT
Evidence-Based Treatments Across the Lifespan
Gathering Data for Applied Psychology
Empirical Project
Clinical Placement

Optional modules:

Programming for Behavioural & Cognitive Neurosciences
Theories and Models About the Brain
Gathering Data for Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
Analysing Data Using R

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and August 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,550

New international students: £26,950

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

The MSc Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology prepares students for further training in a variety of branches of applied psychology. The structure and content of the course is particularly suitable for those seeking a place on a clinical doctoral training course in the UK (or its international equivalent). The programme is also highly suitable for those wishing to progress directly into jobs in psychological clinics or clinical research in the UK or worldwide.

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects F-G

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects U-Z

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects Q-Z

Overview

Entry requirements

Structure

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Fees

Tuition fee information

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Careers

MSc Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology (with clinical or research placement)

Tuition fee information

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?