Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc

Overview

There are two pathways available. The teaching content is the same on the two pathways. The difference is if the 60-credit module is taken as a research dissertation or a professional skills portfolio. You can be considered for one pathway or both pathways. You must state your preference in your personal statement. The two pathways are:

• Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc - if you’re interested in developing your research skills, this pathway allows you to complete a 60-credit dissertation
• Foundations in Clinical Psychology with Professional Skills Portfolio MSc - if you have yet to undertake a research project during your undergraduate studies, this pathway offers a 60-credit professional skills module which incorporates simulated placement activities, in place of a dissertation

Please state clearly in your personal statement if you want to be considered for one pathway, or if you prefer to be considered for both.

Our programmes will equip you with several skills. These will help you to enter the fields of clinical and applied psychology and research. You will learn through expert lead teaching and training in topics related to:

• clinical psychology
• health and forensic psychology
• neurobiology and human development
• research skills

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

As part of both Foundations of Clinical Psychology master's pathways, students will learn how to:

• gather information from a variety of sources and synthesise it in an appropriate way
• evaluate and interpret theoretical concepts in the principal areas
• prepare and articulate arguments against these areas
• critically evaluate the evidence for these ideas
• tolerate and understand different points of view
• understand the issue of cultural and clinical competence

Students on the Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc (5202f) will:

• gain research skills and experience in conducting research
• interact with professional academic, health, forensic and/or clinical psychologists and related professionals in conducting a piece of research

Students on the Foundations in Clinical Psychology with professional Skills Portfolio MSc (5506f) will:

• participate in online clinical activities and compose a variety of clinical documentation and materials as part of a simulated clinical placement
• develop skills in conducting a systematic review of the literature

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Foundations in Clinical Psychology modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation	60
Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy	20
Applied Professional Psychology Skills	20
Neurobiology of Mental Health	10
Research Skills for Psychological Research in Clinical Settings	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Applied Health Psychology	20
Research Apprenticeship	20
Advanced Topics in the Neurodiversity of Development	20
Legal Psychology and the Criminal Justice System	20
Professional Issues in Psychological Practice	20

Foundations in Clinical Psychology with professional Skills Portfolio modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy	20
Applied Professional Psychology Skills	20
Neurobiology of Mental Health	10
Research Skills for Psychological Research in Clinical Settings	10
Professional Skills Portfolio	60

Optional Modules	Credits
Applied Health Psychology	20
Research Apprenticeship	20
Advanced Topics in the Neurodiversity of Development	20
Legal Psychology and the Criminal Justice System	20
Professional Issues in Psychological Practice	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll learn and develop through various methods, including:

• your relationship with your personal tutor
• your relationship with your course-mates and extended learning community
• workshops
• role-plays
• group work
• personal supervision
• apprenticeships

This course is usually taught and based on the Newcastle campus and delivered by the School of Psychology. Teaching is usually delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with occasional sessions on Wednesdays.

The MSc comprises taught modules and a supervised empirical project. The research component will revolve around psychological methodology.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

Dr Gavin Clark – Degree Programme Director

Dr Jessi Komes – Deputy Degree Programme Director

Dr Max Stone – Senior Tutor

Dr Kate Swainston - Module Leader

Dr Helen St Clair Thompson – Module Leader

Professor Mark Freeston – Module Leader

Barbara-Anne Robertson - Module Leader

Dr Gareth Richards - Module Leader

Dr Mei Yee Tang – Module Leader

Dr Gary Pankhurst – Module Leader

More information about our psychology staff can be found here.

Your future

This course can provide a sound basis to apply for roles relevant to applied psychology, such as an assistant psychologist post. This may also provide you with a variety of skills and experience to support applications for further training in Clinical Psychology.

Further training includes:

• The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programmes

Please be aware that within the UK you will typically require relevant work experience and a previous degree that qualifies for graduate registration with the British Psychological Society in order to apply for such training or for an assistant psychologist position within the NHS. The MSc does not qualify you for graduate registration with the British Psychological Society or a clinical qualification which allows you to practice as a mental health practitioner. Consequently, if you do not have a previous degree which confers this and you aspire to undertake the above programmes, you are recommended to undertake a BPS accredited MSc conversion programme.

The course is also suitable if you are considering a research career in psychology. You may also be considering a PhD.

 

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The Dame Margaret Barbour Building is home to the School of Psychology at Newcastle University. Taught postgraduate students have two dedicated rooms with computers and ample study space. This bespoke facility is the newest addition to the Faculty of Medical Sciences and offers psychology facilities such as:

• forensic interviewing suite
• nutrition and food preference unit
• media and behaviour lab
• medical consultation rooms
• psychological testing cubicles

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

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