Why Study an Applied Clinical Psychology Postgraduate Diploma with Learna
We have over 10 years’ experience delivering online courses, giving you access to flexible, affordable distance learning in partnership with world-leading educators.
100% Flexible
Our courses are 100% online. No fixed study times mean you can log in and learn whenever and wherever.
Multidisciplinary - study in a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Expert Led
All of our programmes are authored and developed by world leading experts in their field.
Our faculty are selected due to their subject expertise, experience and teaching abilities to ensure the highest standards of educational excellence.
Career Boosting
Get a University Validated postgraduate qualification in just 1 calendar year instead of 2 academic years.
40% of our alumni reported an increase in salary 2 years after studying with us.
Who is this course for?
Our Diploma in Psychology is aimed at healthcare professionals who want to gain new knowledge and skills in the application of psychology within clinical settings. This course will give healthcare professionals a better understanding of how psychological knowledge, principles and methods can be applied within clinical practice through online psychology courses.
This Psychology Diploma is also suited for psychology graduates wanting to undertake online psychology courses and distance learning. This may be of particular interest to aspiring Clinical Psychologists, including those who are seeking positions as Assistant Psychologists, Research Assistants and those who wish to undertake a relevant postgraduate course, prior to applying for a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
To qualify as a Clinical Psychologist within the UK, you need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with an accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Further information about careers in clinical psychology are available via the British Psychological Society (BPS) website.
How Will I Learn?
You will be supported throughout your studies by a committed team of internationally recognised educational experts.
Our courses are conducted entirely online through self-directed distance learning. You’ll receive guidance throughout your course with tutor-stimulated academic discussions, which are based on clinically-rich case scenarios.
These usually occur within groups of 10-20 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students.
Curriculum
Our Psychology Diploma allows you to study for just one calendar year and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises six modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.Module Aims
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the context, definitions and models underpinning the profession of clinical psychology. The module will enable students to understand training routes to enter the profession and range of roles and clinical settings that clinical psychologists work within. The module also aims to introduce distinctive features, key concepts and debates that have shaped the development of clinical psychology.
Module Content
- Definitions, history, scientist-practitioner model
- Training routes, roles and clinical settings
- Supervision, reflective practice and self-care
- Models of mental health
- Trauma & attachment
- Cultural and social perspectives, equality, diversity and inclusion
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the foundations of clinical psychology.
- Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in clinical psychology.
- Undertake critical thinking/reflection to provide judgement and suitable courses of action related to clinical psychology.
- Critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness in clinical psychology to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.
- Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.
Module Aims
To develop students’ understanding of clinical skills and their relevance and use in clinical psychology.
Module Content
- Engagement & motivation, goal setting
- Interviewing skills
- Clinical assessment
- Formulation
- Risk assessment and management
- Treatment selection, planning and evaluation
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate a variety of clinical skills and examine their application, use and relevance within clinical psychology.
- Critically appraise the delivery of psychological care in varying clinical settings/conditions.
- Apply a range of strategies to harness core clinical skills and client safety within clinical psychology.
- Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the unique complexities of core clinical skills in psychology.
- Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.
Module Aims
- To enable students to understand the application of a range of psychological therapies used in clinical practice.
- To develop an understanding of how core psychological knowledge and skills can enable practitioners to select, and, if necessary to adapt and combine therapeutic approaches.
Module Content
- Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies
- Dynamic and Relational therapies
- Systemic & Family Therapies
- 3rd wave and specialised therapies
- What works for whom, and why
- Formulation and treatment planning using different models
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate critical appraisal and formulation skills that will enable students to develop treatment plans by selecting, adapting or integrating therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of individual clients.
- Develop a critical understanding and implement processes of quality improvement and transferability of best practice within therapeutic approaches.
- Critically discriminate in the selection and use of evidence and techniques to address complex problems involving therapeutic approaches.
- Apply a combination of professional knowledge with therapeutic skills to improve psychological needs delivery in complex situations.
- Exercise initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
Module Aims
- This module aims to familiarise students with the clinical psychology of common mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
- To introduce students to the psychology of common life experiences and psychological factors that can underlie or contribute to a range of mental health difficulties across the lifespan.
Module Content
- Anxiety – panic and phobias
- Anxiety – social and health anxiety, OCD
- Depression (unipolar)
- PTSD (type 1)
- Adversity, attachment, adjustment, and grief
- Self-esteem, perfectionism, self-criticism, shame and compassion
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise psychological perspectives and treatment approaches for common mental health difficulties.
- Develop a systematic knowledge and understanding of the psychology of common mental health difficulties.
- Merge theoretical facts, ideas and critically evaluate psychological literature in support of understanding the psychology of common mental health difficulties.
- Apply a combination of professional knowledge with practical skills to improve psychological needs delivery in complex situations.
- Critical evaluation of the literature and successful decision awareness involving common mental health difficulties to formulate appropriate solutions for the student’s practice; evidence-based decision making.
Module Aims
- To familiarise students with the clinical psychology of severe and complex mental health difficulties.
- To enable students to understand a range of psychological perspectives that may assist clinicians in intervening to help people with severe and complex mental health difficulties across the lifespan.
Module Content
- Psychosis and At Risk Mental States
- Bipolar/extreme mood states
- Personality disorders
- Complex trauma & dissociation
- Transdiagnostic perspectives
- Working with severe conditions within complex systems
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse, synthesise and assess the implications of psychological perspectives on severe and complex mental health difficulties for clinicians and service providers.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of current issues involving severe and complex mental health difficulties informed by research and novel practice in the field.
- Merge theoretical facts, ideas and critically evaluate psychological literature in support of understanding severe and complex mental health difficulties.
- Apply a range of strategies to help people with severe and complex mental health difficulties and ensure client safety across the lifespan.
- Reflect on learning from prior experience, challenge preconceptions, remove subject and function boundaries in order to holistically integrate new knowledge to complex or novel situations.
Module Aims
To explore the application of clinical psychology across a range of specialist settings and clinical presentations.
Module Content
- Clinical health psychology
- Forensic clinical psychology
- Addictions and Eating Disorders
- Learning disabilities, autism & neurodiversity
- TBI and neuropsychological rehabilitation
- Dementia
Learning Outcomes
- Critically apply clinical psychology knowledge and skills to a range of clinical presentations.
- Critical knowledge and understanding of the application of clinical psychology across a range of specialist settings.
- Demonstrate originality, insight and critical/reflective practice to solve problems improve delivery in varying specialist settings.
- Undertake critical thinking/reflection to provide judgement and suitable courses of action related to specialist applications.
- Exercise of initiative, personal responsibility and ethical decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
Assessment Methods
The Diploma in Clinical Psychology places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of clinical scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.
The six modules on the course have the same assessment format and for all modules, you will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor. Your tutor will then facilitate case discussions with the group, whilst monitoring, assessing and marking your work throughout. You will also participate in a combination of module activities that may be group and/or individual based, dependent on the module.
These innovative teaching methods enable you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice. Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to regularly login and participate in the course - ideally on a daily basis. Students are recommended to spend around two hours per day on their studies. Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Your tutor will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
The group activity is designed to stimulate and test the students’ ability to work as a team in taking the subject area forward. A group task is set, the group elects a leader using the online forum (designed to put leadership skills into practice) and the leader allocates tasks to group members.
The leader is responsible for managing, collating and submitting the activity (online) at the end of the module. The tutor provides formative guidance part way through the module and marks the assessment at the end.
Examples of individual activities might include either a written assignment, poster, blog or social media project.
All students must complete the same assignment for each module that is predetermined by the programme Leader before the modules commence. Students are not provided with an option to choose.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
Entry requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree or in Psychology.
Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
Documents Required
- A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
- A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
- The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
- A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
- A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 for each band) or an equivalent qualification. Duolingo is also accepted, as long as your score is above 95 per component.*
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. You can contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.
*Please note that those who provide their proof of English proficiency through Duolingo will receive £50 off their final course payment. This discount is applied after payment of your deposit is received.
Course Fees
Option 1: Upfront Payment in full. Option 2: Interest free payments every other month for the duration of the course.
Date | Instalments | Up-Front Payments |
---|---|---|
Deposit | £840 | £5,040 |
1st May 2024 | £840 | |
1st July 2024 | £840 | |
1st September 2024 | £840 | |
1st November 2024 | £840 | |
1st January 2025 | £840 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
†† Prices are subject to review following each intake
Option 3: Lower your monthly payments by spreading the cost for between 2 and 8 years with a loan from our lending partner Lendwise*.
*Subject to eligibility criteria.
Learna | Diploma MSc has a partnership with Lendwise which is a leading private student loan provider, to help UK students fund their course fees should they require financing. Lendwise is a UK-based education finance platform through which candidates can fund their postgraduate and professional qualification studies at leading educational institutions.
A Lendwise loan comes with a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan (between 2 and 8 years) and no early repayment penalties. The interest rate offered will depend on the overall applicant profile and the application process is entirely online.*
*Other sources of funding are available.
Learna | Diploma MSc does not offer financial advice, recommend or endorse any financial product. You should always check the suitability of the product that is of interest to you. If you are in any doubt as to its suitability, we suggest that you seek independent professional advice.