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Clinical Psychology Doctorate

Students studying the BSc in Psychology at the University of York or the University of Hull have the unique opportunity to apply for a fast-track route to studying a Clinical Psychology Doctorate. At Hull, Clinical Psychology sits within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

In a collaboration with the University of York, students from both Universities who have successfully completed specialist clinical psychology modules in their third year are eligible to apply for the programme.

The course is a unique opportunity for our graduates. So if you are interested in clinical psychology as your career pathway, why not choose Hull for your BSc Psychology degree?

This course is currently closed to new applicants and will re-open in 2024.

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological wellbeing. The unifying orientation of clinical psychology is the scientist-practitioner model: the application of scientific knowledge to the understanding and psychological intervention for a range of difficulties and disabilities.

Clinical Psychologists work with children, young people and their families, adults with mental health problems across the lifespan, and people with chronic ill-health and disability. This is carried out through a process of psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. Clinical Psychologists are also trained in research methods and utilise these skills in their work through critical appraisal of the literature relating to psychological approaches to helping people, and also involvement in service related audit, evaluation and research.

Clinical Psychologists apply their skills in a range of different health care settings including hospitals, health centres and community teams and always try to understand people in the context of their relationships, communities and social situation. 

Why study Clinical Psychology at Hull?

Studying the Doctorate at Hull offers fantastic benefits:

You will be employed by the NHS and receive a salary

You will be employed by the NHS as a trainee clinical psychologist and receive a salary and your tuition fees are paid for by the NHS.

See funding information below for details.

Fast-track entry

Unlike other universities, you do not need to take 1-2 years out after your degree to gain employment or voluntary experience before applying for the Doctorate.

Accredited by the British Psychological Society

The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society, on successfully completing the programme graduates are eligible to apply for Chartered Membership.

Approved by the HCPC

The programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), on successful completion of the Doctorate graduates are eligible to apply for registration to practice as a Clinical Psychologist.

About the course

The Doctorate is a full time, three year programme. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning – with guidance and supervision – and you will have many opportunities to learn from and with your fellow trainees.

The Doctorate includes the following:

  • Much of your teaching will be by NHS clinical psychologists, so your learning will be grounded in clinical practice.
  • You will spend three days of each week on placement in a range of teams and health settings and two days a week on academic teaching and research work at the University of Hull.
  • You will be working both directly with clients and their families and also with teams and other professionals who are supporting clients, under the supervision of qualified and experienced clinical psychologists.
  • As a full time employee of Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust you will have the same benefits and responsibilities as other members of staff.

It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using the protected title “Clinical Psychologist” is on the HCPC Register.  The Hull Clinical Psychology Doctorate Course has full approval from the HCPC.  Successful completion of this Course provides eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC.  For more information about the HCPC, visit the HCPC website.

Entry requirements

The Doctorate is only open to applications from students in the third year of the BSc Psychology at the University of Hull and the University of York. As the Doctorate is funded by the NHS, to apply you must be from the UK or have the right to work in the UK under the EU settlement scheme (EUSS) without restriction.

All applicants must have successfully completed specialist clinical psychology modules in their third year of the BSc Psychology course and graduated with a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree. In the Hull undergraduate programme, around 30 – 40 students are selected for the clinical modules running in the third year. Selection for these modules takes place towards the end of semester two in the second year of the undergraduate course.

Applicants are not required to have lengthy pre-training clinical experience. However, we do expect to see evidence of commitment to clinical psychology, such as voluntary work or other experience with vulnerable people.

Candidates whose first language is not English or have not studied for their psychology first degree in English must pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 7 with no element below 6.5.

Funding

The National Health Service (NHS) currently provides the funding for most of the places on clinical psychology courses. People accepted on these NHS funded places are currently employed by the NHS as Trainee Clinical Psychologists while they study. The starting salary is £33,706 pa, which is the bottom of Band 6 (November 2022 figures) on the Agenda for Change pay scale (please see the NHS Health Careers website for more information about NHS pay and benefits). Course fees are usually paid by the NHS.

Selection

The clinical psychology Doctorate intake was 26 students in 2022.

Selection for the postgraduate course takes place in the second semester of the third year of the undergraduate course. The selection process includes an interview with clinical psychologists, an interview with a person who has lived experience of psychological difficulties and receiving help, and references from academic staff and from relevant work settings.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust acts as the employer (Hosting Trust) for trainees on the Hull Clinical Psychology course. Successful candidates will need to complete a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and health check before beginning the programme, details will be provided to successful applicants. Trainees are required to have vaccinations and occupational health assessments as required by the employer.

Equality and diversity

The University of Hull is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all its activities and aims to provide a work, learning, research and teaching environment free from discrimination and unfair treatment. We are very positive about this commitment. The course adheres to the codes and policies on Equality and Diversity of the University of Hull . Please also read the HCPC’s publication ‘Health, disability and becoming a health and care professional'. We work hard to support all students with disabilities. The earlier we know about disabilities the sooner we can put into place any necessary support. If you have a disability please contact the Faculty of Health Science student hub (FHS-studenthub@hull.ac.uk or telephone 01482 463342) and ask to speak to a disability liaison officer. We aim to train a workforce which reflects the diversity of the clients that may seek help from clinical psychologists in the NHS.

Clinical Psychology Doctorate staff
Staff associated with the Clinical Psychology Doctorate
Name  RoleEmail
Dr Nick Hutchinson Programme Director n.hutchinson@hull.ac.uk
Dr Tim Alexander Research Tutor t.alexander@hull.ac.uk
Dr Jo Beckett Research Tutor jo.beckett@hull.ac.uk
Dr Emma Wolverson Research Tutor e.wolverson@hull.ac.uk
Dr Annette Schlὅsser Academic Co-ordinator a.schlosser@hull.ac.uk
Dr Emma Lewis Academic Tutor e.lewis@hull.ac.uk
Dr Claudia Myler Academic Tutor c.myler@hull.ac.uk
Dr Phillip Molyneux Clinical Practice Co-ordinator p.molyneux@hull.ac.uk
Dr Pete Fleming Clinical Tutor p.fleming@hull.ac.uk
Dr Lesley Gibson Clinical Tutor lesley-ann.gibson@hull.ac.uk
Dr Hannah Goring Clinical Tutor h.goring@hull.ac.uk
Dr Anjula Gupta Clinical Tutor a.gupta@hull.ac.uk
Dr Susanne Vosmer Clinical Tutor s.vosmer@hull.ac.uk
Dr Abigail Daniels Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead  a.daniels@hull.ac.uk
Natalie Norton Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Support Officer  n.j.norton@hull.ac.uk
Kate Shimells Programme Administrator k.shimmels@hull.ac.uk
Frequently asked questions

Please refer to our questions and answers page for some frequently asked questions by our applicants. If you have any further questions please contact Programme Director Dr Nick Hutchinson, n.hutchinson@hull.ac.uk or the School of Psychology and Social Work, fhs@hull.ac.uk, tel +44 (0)1482 463342.

Contact us

School of Psychology and Social Work
  • University of Hull
  • Hull, UK
  • HU6 7RX
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