Applied Clinical Psychology MSc
The importance of clinical psychology in today's society can mean the difference between a life well-lived and a life of challenges. Therefore, in order to really improve mental health standards in society we have developed a master's in clinical psychology aimed to engage and inspire healthcare professionals to help people overcome developmental obstacles and reach their full potential.
Our students learn to uncover the processes of the mind through extensive research and observation, ultimately, strengthening their credentials through our Applied Clinical Psychology MSc online course. You too will come away with an enhanced understanding of people's behaviour, cognitive attitude and mental functioning in order to make positive, constructive, meaningful, and lasting changes in people's lives.
Next intake: 2023 SeptemberKey Facts
Our distance learning MSc in applied clinical psychology is aimed at professionals looking to undertake online psychology courses that fit around their busy schedules. Our distance learning MSc in applied clinical psychology can support and provide an advanced understanding of evidence-based psychological interventions to aspiring clinical psychologists, assistant psychologists, research assistants, and those who wish to undertake a relevant postgraduate course, prior to applying for a professional doctorate in clinical psychology.
On successful completion of our Applied Clinical Psychology MSc degree you will acquire a number of essential skills as our course aims to:
- Equip the individual with a broad understanding of clinical psychology, skills in critical appraisal and application of knowledge for direct patient benefit/service development and future study.
- Equip students with life-long learning and advanced problem-solving skills that they can apply to clinical practice in clinical psychology.
- Enable graduates to demonstrate the ability to lead complex tasks and processes in the delivery and advancement of psychologically informed health care.
- Enable graduates to confidently work in teams in multi-agency, multi-cultural and/or international contexts.
- Enable graduates to critically evaluate the delivery of psychological care to patients/service users.
- Equip students with a systematic understanding of evidence-based psychological interventions.
- Enable graduates to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex issues of clinical care across the spectrum of healthcare specialties caring for patients with psychological needs.
- Equip students with the ability to critically evaluate evidence and guidance for clinical psychology and implement best practice and innovation in complex patient scenarios.
- Extend the scope of practice by exploring a professional subject area in more depth utilising knowledge gained in the previous modules.
University of Gibraltar
Established in 2015, the University of Gibraltar is a vibrant and ambitious university.
The institution is committed to high-quality teaching and learning, world-leading research and academic freedom. Its principal mission is to shape personal and professional futures, through the pursuit of education, training and research. Partnerships with business, government, charitable foundations, healthcare and educational institutions lie at the heart of its ethos.
Faculty
Programme Leader
Dr Graeme S Reid
Dr Reid is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in adult community mental health services in North West England. After completing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Liverpool...
Next intake: 2023 September Key Facts
Programme Leader
Dr Graeme S Reid
Dr Reid is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in adult community mental health services in North West England. After completing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Liverpool University in 2020, he has had over 20 years’ experience of working in mental health services within the NHS.
He currently leads a psychology team working with people who experience severe and complex mental health difficulties within a Community Mental Health setting, and is clinical lead for psychological therapies for psychosis and bipolar presentations within a specialist NHS mental health trust. In addition to his NHS work, Dr Reid works in independent practice providing training, supervision and therapy.
Dr Reid is currently Joint Chair of the Community Mental Health network within the DCP Psychosis and Complex Mental Health Faculty of the British Psychological Society.
Whilst primarily working as a senior NHS clinician, Dr Reid has retained his academic interests He has held honorary academic appointments at the Universities of Manchester and Lancaster, and regularly supervises doctoral research projects, has co-authored a number of academic publications including original research, theory and systematic reviews.
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Why Study an Applied Clinical Psychology Master's 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.
Affordable
No physical campus means we can offer world-leading programmes at the most competitive prices.
Get a PgDip from £3,900 or an MSc from £7,500 - the most affordable courses of their kind in the UK.
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 Applied Clinical Psychology masters 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 masters in clinical psychology is also suited for psychology graduates wanting to undertake online psychology courses and distance learning master's. 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
The Applied Clinical Psychology MSc is a two year course, consisting of eight modules (180 credits) with the first 120 credits deriving from 6, 6 week 20 credit modules taken in the first year. The second year of the Applied Clinical Psychology Masters course starts with an initial 10 week online module that will develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Students then complete the professional project module, which consists of a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project (dissertation).Year 1
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
- Critically explore the application of psychological sciences in relation to clinical psychology.
- Demonstrate a systematic, extensive and comparative knowledge and understanding of the development and context of clinical psychology.
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.
- Demonstrate a systematic, extensive and comparative knowledge and understanding of the processes, principles and levels of formulation.
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
- Critically analyse the principles and methods underpinning therapeutic approaches commonly used within clinical psychology.
- Develop 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.
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.
- Critically appraise the roles of key transdiagnostic factors in common mental health difficulties.
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
- Critically appraise psychological perspectives on severe and complex mental health difficulties.
- Analyse, synthesise and assess the implications of psychological perspectives on severe and complex mental health difficulties for clinicians and service providers.
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.
- Analyse, synthesise and consider the process of applying psychological principles and methods to complex and/or unfamiliar situations.
Year 2
Aims of the module:
To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation.
Synopsis of the module content:
- Quantitative Studies
- Statistical Analysis Interpretation
- Interpreting the Evidence
- Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews
- Qualitative Studies
- Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesizing the Evidence
- Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics
- Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to delivery/service development.
- Select and apply different methodological approaches and tools to answer research questions in your field of practice.
Aims of the module:
- To formulate the research question that you seek to answer.
- To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
- To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
- To develop skills in independent research and study.
- To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.
Synopsis of module content:
The module will depend on formulating the question and the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific clinical psychology related project relevant to the person's practice.
This project may comprise:
- Systematic literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
- Clinical audit of non-patient data/organisational audit.
- Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
- Literature review and qualitative or quantitative research proposal.
- Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
- Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
- Secondary data analysis.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Design and undertake research and development projects related to clinical psychology in order to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
- Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change in a clinical psychology setting.
- Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing clinical psychology services appropriately.
Assessment Methods
The Applied Clinical Psychology MSc course 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 first seven 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.
For the final module of the course you will be required to produce a piece of work based upon a clinically-related project that is relevant to your practice. Once you have selected a specific project, you will submit a project summary/proposal of approximately 1,500 words. Following the approval of your proposal you will then complete a 10,500 word professional project.
To produce the professional project you will continue to study online. Much of the work is self-directed, however you will receive guidance from your tutor throughout the module.
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.
Year 1
- 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.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets and essays.
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.
Year 2
This module runs over an 8 week period and is designed to develop skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. The module consists of mandatory formative assessment activities to support your learning and development prior to the Professional Project module.
Students will work with their supervisor to submit a professional project proposal for their chosen topic.
Students will deliver an abstract (1000 words) outlining their proposal and, if deemed necessary, develop and submit documentation for the University’s ethical committee approval.
- Students will create a dissertation, the theme of which has been developed in discussion with their tutor.
- Supervision will normally involve direct online support involving planned progress, supporting research activity and reading student work.
- Supervisors and students will agree on a communications plan, which may involve emails or online chats. Some students may employ the use of freely available chat or audio conferencing facilities for live discussion with supervisors.
- Students will have access to online forums where they can develop their research capabilities together.
- All communications with tutors will be logged on the Professional Project forum by the student, and consist of brief summaries of discussion.
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 | £830 | £8,880 |
| 1st November 2023 | £830 | |
| 1st January 2024 | £830 | |
| 1st March 2024 | £830 | |
| 1st May 2024 | £830 | |
| 1st July 2024 | £830 | |
| 1st September 2024 | £650 | |
| 1st November 2024 | £650 | |
| 1st January 2025 | £650 | |
| 1st March 2025 | £650 | |
| 1st May 2025 | £650 | |
| 1st July 2025 | £650 |
† 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.
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