School of Psychology

Programme Specification

MSc Clinical Psychology

2023/24 Academic Year

Date of approval: March 2023

Date of implementation: September 2023
Year of first award: 2024
Internal Programme Award Title Site Mode of Study
Code
6481 MSc Clinical Psychology Ply Full-Time

6482 MSc Clinical Psychology Ply Part-Time

Reviewed Amended following review (Y/N) Sections amended

Contents
1. Final award titles.........................................................................................................................3
2. Awarding Institution.....................................................................................................................3
3. Accrediting body(ies)..................................................................................................................3
4. Distinctive Features of the Programme and the Student Experience............................................4
5. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Group(s)..............................................................................5
6. Programme Structure..................................................................................................................6
7. Programme Aims........................................................................................................................7
8. Programme Learning Outcomes.................................................................................................8
9. Admissions Criteria, including APCL, APEL and DS arrangements...........................................9
10. Progression criteria for Final and Intermediate Awards........................................................10
11. Non-Standard Regulations....................................................................................................10
12. Transitional Arrangements....................................................................................................10
Appendix 1: Programme Specification Mapping (PGT): MSc, PgDip, PgCert Clinical Psychology. 12

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 2

1. Final award titles:

MSc Clinical Psychology

Level 7 Intermediate award title(s)

PgDip Clinical Psychology

PgCert Clinical Psychology

HECoS codes:
100494 Clinical Psychology
100497 Psychology

2. Awarding Institution: University of Plymouth

Teaching institution(s): University of Plymouth

3. Accrediting body(ies) NA

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 3

4. Distinctive Features of the Programme and the Student Experience
The MSc Clinical Psychology (CP) forms part of four, interlinked programmes at level 7, which offer
advanced training in the methods and application of psychological science, linked to advanced
treatment of the psychological theories and methods in their chosen area of specialisation.
Students on the MSc CP will gain training in foundational methods for psychological research,
forming the basis for a professional career as a clinical psychologist in their role as scientist
practitioner. Students will also practice core clinical skills and develop competencies that will
prepare them for demanding clinical careers, and a highly competitive job market.
Further distinctive features of these programmes are described below:

A thorough, experientially-based training in psychological research methods.

Through core modules in research methods students on this programme will gain a secure
understanding of the theory, application and limitations of quantitative and qualitative methods for
data collection and analysis. Enhanced emphasis will be placed on fluency in data manipulation
and visualisation, and in developing insight and understanding for the ways in which assumptions
and theory form the basis on which statistics can be used for scientific inference. Students can
tailor their needs through section of appropriate research methods and analytic approaches in
keeping with their subject speciality and research project.

Advanced, training in theoretical and empirical advances in clinical psychology.

Through the “PSYC766: Becoming a Practitioner Psychologist” module students will develop
awareness and understanding of new research questions, debates and findings in their chosen
field. Other clinical modules including PSYC762: Models of Intervention in Psychology and
PSYC721: Core competencies for Clinical Practice in Psychology are cross-cutting in nature,
designed to integrate multiple research and clinical perspectives. For example, modules such as
PSYC765: Neuropsychology and Neuroscience: From Lab to community enables students to
explore in detail current knowledge of specific conditions, providing a secure grounding in the
neuroscience of clinical approaches to brain injury, dementia and Parkinson’s.

Deep and thorough conceptual understanding of chosen areas of study.

All aspects of these programmes aim towards deepening conceptual understanding of the
theoretical, empirical, and methodological advances in their field. Students’ achievements on each
module will be assessed largely through coursework, which will provide a stimulus and opportunity
for them to critically evaluate the material covered, to apply it to new problems, and to develop new
ideas for future research.

Professionalism and professional identity.

For all programmes, we shall organise the academic year such that students are encouraged to
think of psychological research and practice as an iterative, cyclical process involving: enquiry,
design, technique, communication, practice, and reflection. Students will be encouraged to reflect
on their learning regularly throughout the year, and tutorial activities will ensure this is integrated
within their own research practice. The work undertaken in all modules aims to develop students’
critical understanding of research methodology, and apply it to the design of their own research
projects.

We will use innovative and engaging techniques to provide practical training in key clinical skills
and competencies. In addition to gaining foundational knowledge of the relevant clinical guidelines
and regulations, students will learn within an environment which fosters the development of key
attributes of clinicians. Students will be expected to demonstrate the principles of values-based
practice and to be governed by professional and regulatory codes of conduct and ethics. Reflective
practice will be fostered through opportunities to engage in personal and professional
development.

Students will work in an environment alongside other clinicians and clinical trainers and be
exposed to a wide range of clinical professionals, along with the DClinPsy trainees, who will

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 4

provide a model for the attributes and qualities required of learners. Through the school’s position
in the Faculty of Health, students on the CP awards will also be encouraged to access a wide
range of events which extend their learning, including research seminars in the health professions,
Schwartz rounds, and other CPD-type events as appropriate to the students’ stage and interests.
Through tutorials and reflective practice students will be encouraged to engage with personal and
professional development so as to develop an identity as a professional clinical worker. This
intensive approach to developing, reflecting on and documenting clinical competencies provides
may advantages: students can engage with important clinical skills in a safe environment, with
structured and intensive feedback on their performance, and without the complexities and
limitations of trying to develop these clinical skills in the workplace, alongside the inevitable
competing administrative and financial considerations. Our structured PT routes provide students
wishing to gain clinical experience (e.g., to support a future DClinPsy application) at the same time
as they study — providing flexibility and choice to students.

A considered approach to PT study.

PT study is particularly relevant for students interested in clinical careers, and our structured PT
routes will enable those returning from clinical roles (e.g. Assistant Psychologist), with the aim of
progressing to the DClinPsy, to maintain a balance between study and practice/clinical experience.
For students on the CP awards, PT study will allow some students to combine PT research
assistant or similar work with study, again enhancing their skills and experience and increasing the
chance of successfully accessing PhD funding or graduate-level employment on graduation.

Applied Clinical Research Project

As appropriate to master’s-level study, students on the programme will be expected to develop
their own research ideas and hypotheses, based on a thorough review and understanding of the
relevant literature, and to develop methods and analyses with increasing autonomy, with the
support and guidance of a project supervisor. The absolute proportion of students’ contributions
will necessarily vary depending on the complexity and familiarity of the methods used, but this
contribution should be substantially greater than for an undergraduate project. Before conducting
the study, students will develop and submit a formal ethics application via the online ethics system
currently in place in the School of Psychology. The application will be assessed by an expert panel
of academic staff members like all other undergraduate and postgraduate ethics applications

Student Experience
A student’s ability to negotiate the academic demands of a programme of study is essential to their
retention and success. Our teaching and administration teams are experienced in supporting
students with any issues that arise and students will have access to all the University’s student
support services (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services) and a personal tutor.

5. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Group(s)

There is currently no relevant QAA benchmark group for psychology at masters level, see
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 5

 6. Programme Structure
The programme is available as both 1-year full time, and 2-year part time structures.

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 6

Code Credits Title Semester Semester MSc PT MSc PT
1 2 Stage 1 Stage 2
PSYC750 0 Personal and professional x x
x
development
PSYC766 20 Becoming a practitioner x x
Psychologist
PSYC763 20 Advanced Skills & x x
Techniques for
Psychological research
Part 1
PSYC764 20 Advanced Skills & x x
Techniques for
Psychological research
Part 2
PSYC765 20 Neuroscience & x x
Neuropsychology
PSYC762 20 Models of intervention in x x
Psychology
PSYC721 20 Core Competencies for x x
Clinical Practice in
Psychology
PSYC723 60 Applied clinical research x x x

7. Programme Aims
This programme is designed to meet the descriptors of the QAA’s (2008) Framework for
Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for level 7
Master’s degree. The aims specific to the programme are presented in the table below:

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 7

1. Develop a deep understanding and knowledge of specific specialist research areas,
and research-informed areas of professional practice in psychology.
2. To equip students with the advanced intellectual, personal and technical skills
necessary for their future gainful employment or advancement within their chosen
research domain.
3. To develop students’ professional ethos and identity within psychology, encouraging
the consistent application of evidence-based thinking to novel contexts and problems.
4. To provide a sophisticated understanding of the cultural, social, and regulatory context
in which clinical psychology is practiced.
5. To provide students with concrete clinical competencies and experiences --- linked to
those defined by relevant regulators --- that will distinguish them as they apply for
clinical jobs and professional training.

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 8

 8. Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, graduates of the MSc Clinical Psychology should have developed
knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas: Knowledge and understanding;
Cognitive and intellectual skills; Employment related skills; Practical skills; and Transferable skills.

PLO
Ability to apply specialist methodological knowledge to
Cognitive 1
the design of supervised research.
Capacity to process and critically evaluate a research
Cognitive 2 complex literature—which may include contradictory or
incomplete findings.
The ability to synthesise ideas and techniques from
Cognitive 3 multiple perspectives, demonstrating insight,
understanding, and creativity in their work.
Insight and understanding of the value of psychology in
the workplace, and the range of career opportunities
Employment 1
available to graduates, especially those outside of
traditional professional psychological training
Reflect upon their strengths and weaknesses, and take
Employment 2 responsibility for personal and professional
development.
Demonstrate expertise in problem solving with
Employment 3
technology for different purposes
Understanding of the roles of psychological
professionals in the mental health services. Awareness
Employment 4 (and use) of relevant guidelines and standards
regarding ethics, boundaries, and interacting with other
professionals in an appropriate manner.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the core
techniques for quantitative enquiry in psychology, and
Knowledge 1
theoretical and practical limitations of current
approaches and understanding.
Understanding and expertise in the application of
Knowledge 2 qualitative and interpretative methods central to much
clinical research.
Broad knowledge and understanding of psychological
Knowledge 3 theories related to current clinical practice and
technique.
Understanding the principles of psychological
Knowledge 4
formulation including the influence of social inequalities.
Practical 1 Fluency and precision in written English.
Practical 2 Clarity and confidence in oral presentation
Sophistication in manipulating, visualising, analysing
Practical 3
and communicating insights from quantitative data.
Professional behaviour, with evidence that the trainee
conducts themselves in a manner consistent with the
Practical 4
role of clinical psychologist, including ethical and values
based reflective practice.
Transfer 1 Explain complex ideas to non-experts, in plain English.
Transfer 2 Experience of group and team-working, and of
developing and maintaining effective working

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 9

 PLO
relationships with supervisors and peers.
Fluency and confidence in visualising and
Transfer 3
communicating insights from quantitative data.
Understanding of the principles of safeguarding and risk
Transfer 4
management when working with vulnerable people.

9. Admissions Criteria, including APCL, APEL and DS arrangements

Applicants with an undergraduate honours science degree of normally a minimum of a 2.2 (or
equivalent) may be accepted. International applicants need to also meet the English language
requirements as outlined by the University and UKVI: The IELTS requirement is 6.5 overall,
including a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing). BPS
graduate membership is not required for entry.

Those with lower qualifications but relevant industrial experience will also be considered for entry,
subject to interview by the programme lead. Candidates with existing achievements may be
considered for exemption from specific modules under the University guidelines for accreditation of
prior learning (APCL) and assessment of prior experiential learning (APEL). The Director of
Postgraduate Programmes has responsibility for approving exemption under these guidelines.
Their decision will be made after consulting with the Programme/Module Leaders.

Applicants with Disabilities

The University is committed to promoting and providing a positive study environment for all
students and has a dedicated department to help students with disabilities, the Disability Services
team https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/student-services/disability-and-dyslexia.

Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term
adverse effect on the ability of an individual to carry out normal day-to-day activities, and can mean
different things to different people.

The University has a duty to make anticipatory ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure students
with disabilities are not discriminated against. Where a person with a disability is at a substantial
disadvantage in comparison with a person without a disability, the University has a duty to take
reasonable steps to remove that disadvantage by: changing provisions, criteria or practices,
altering, removing or providing a reasonable alternative means of avoiding physical features and
providing auxiliary aids.

Please contact us for further details.

International applications
Overseas students for whom English is not their first language will be expected to demonstrate
proficiency in English with a IELTS requirement of 6.5 overall, including a minimum of 5.5 in all four
components (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 10

Students undertaking research dissertations involving members of the public (including patients
recruited from the NHS or support groups) need to provide evidence of an up to date DBS check.
This will be made evident at induction to allow students to undertake DBS checks if required.

10. Progression criteria for Final and Intermediate Awards

On the successful completion of all elements of the programme, students will graduate with the
award title of MSc Clinical Psychology.

In circumstances where the student is unable to complete the programme, they will receive, in
accordance with University regulations:
 PgCert Clinical Psychology – in order to exit with this award, students will need to achieve
60 credits, to include modules PSYC766: Becoming a Practitioner Psychologist (20 credits),
PSYC762: Models of interventions in psychology (20 credits) and PSYC721: Core
Competencies for Clinical Practice in Psychology (20 credits).
 PgDip Clinical Psychology – in order to exit with this award, students will need to achieve
120 credits, to include modules PSYC766: Becoming a Practitioner Psychologist (20
credits), PSYC762: Models of interventions in psychology (20 credits) and PSYC721: Core
Competencies for Clinical Practice in Psychology (20 credits), plus 60 further credits.

For those who don’t achieve all core modules required for the above exit awards, but achieve 60 or
120 credits of modules across the programme, they will receive generic unnamed awards of
Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) or Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits).

11. Non-Standard Regulations

Not applicable

12. Transitional Arrangements

Transitional arrangements will be required for the small number of PT students on the MSc Clinical
Psychology starting in 2022. We will recommend that these students take PSYC750 [0], 751 [10],
752 [10], 753 [20], 755 [10], 756 [10], 791 [10], 792 [10] in Stage 1 [totalling 80 credits], and then
PSYC723 [60], PSYC721 [20], and PSYC765 [20] in stage 2 [totalling 100 credits].

Module arrangements for students in a repeat situation of stage 5 in 2023-24 will be considered on
a case-by-case scenario.

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 11

 Appendix 1: Programme Specification Mapping (PGT): MSc, PgDip, PgCert Clinical Psychology
Module Credits C Award Learning Outcomes contributed to (for more information see Section 8) Compensation Assessment
core Y/N element(s) and
Cognitive & Employment Knowledge & Practical Key &
E weightings
intellectual related skills understanding skills transferable
elective [use KIS definition]
skills skills E1 - exam
E2 - clinical exam
T1 - test
C1 - coursework
A1 - generic assessment
P1 - practical

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
PSYC750 0 C X X X X X X Yes C1, P1 (Pass/Fail,
Pass/Fail)
PSYC762 20 C X X X X X X X X X X X Yes C1, P1, A1 (70%,
30%, Pass/Fail)
PSYC723 60 C X X X X X X X X X No C1, P1 (90%, 10%)
PSYC766 20 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X Yes C1, P1, A1 (70%,
30%, Pass/Fail)
PSYC765 20 C X X X X X X X X X Yes C1, P1, A1 (70%,
30%, Pass/Fail)
PSYC721 20 C X X X X X X X X X X X X Yes C1, P1, A1 (50%,
50%, Pass/Fail)
PSYC763 20 C x x x Yes C1 (100%)
PSYC764 20 C x x x Yes C1 (100%)

Learning Outcomes 180 credits X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Confirmed Award LOs X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

MSc Clinical Psychology: Programme Specification 12