Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych)

Application information for international students

The DClinPsych is currently not able to accommodate international self-funding applicants for the academic year 2025-26.

We have a range of postgraduate taught degrees in Psychology including Sport and Exercise Psychology MSc, Forensic Psychology MSc (accredited and non-accredited routes) and Foundations in Clinical Psychology MSc.

Overview

The clinical psychology programme at Newcastle is one of the longest established in the UK. It has celebrated over 50 years in practice. It is part of the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.

The course works with our NHS colleagues in the local psychology services. We also work with Health Education North East which is part of Health Education England.

We commit to an evidence-based and empirically grounded ethos.

The programme integrates research and clinical practice. You'll prepare for practice as professional clinical psychologists. On completion of the course, you'll be eligible to apply for:

• registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Chartered Clinical status with the British Psychological Society (BPS)

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 

Advanced skills

You'll develop many advanced skills, including:

• an in-depth knowledge base in research findings
• key skills in collaboration, reflection and leadership
• proving the links between theory and practice
• competence in the current evidence-based and widely practiced aspects of clinical psychology
• critical appreciation of relevant empirical literature and clinical theory
• contributions to research for clinical practice 

Research training

There is considerable clinical and research expertise within the programme team. This helps to develop excellence in our trainees and graduates.

We offer high-quality research training to our students. We encourage involvement in programmatic research and dissemination of the research output. This includes peer-reviewed journal publications and professional conferences.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll receive academic teaching from:

• programme staff
• NHS staff
• external contributors

Our research is evidence-based. The academic syllabus mirrors the trainees’ experience on clinical placement.

The principal therapeutic models taught on the programme are:

• cognitive-behaviour therapy
• systemic therapy

There is an emphasis on these two models within the first two years of training.

There are introductions to other emerging treatment approaches later in the course. These include:

• cognitive analytic therapy
• EMDR
• other models with demonstrable or emerging evidence of their clinical effectiveness

Assessment methods

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

• Case study
• Essay
• Report
• Research paper
• Viva
• Written exercise

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Your development

Advanced skills

You'll develop many advanced skills, including:

• an in-depth knowledge base in research findings
• key skills in collaboration, reflection and leadership
• proving the links between theory and practice
• competence in the current evidence-based and widely practiced aspects of clinical psychology
• critical appreciation of relevant empirical literature and clinical theory
• contributions to research for clinical practice

Partnerships

We have strong and established links with our regional partners. They provide considerable input and support to the programme. The programme has a close involvement of regional clinicians and Special Interest Groups. These groups contribute significant teaching on the course.

We have close links with many of the region's psychologists. This enables us to offer a wide selection of practical experience. This experience is in many general and specialist settings.

Clinical Placements

Trainees undertake five placements which are:

• four six-month core placements in years one and two
• one ten-month elective placement in year three

This makes sure they acquire and prove the competences required to complete clinical psychology training.

These competencies can be demonstrated in a broad range of clinical contexts. Trainees can expect to work with different groups of clients in different settings. This will help them gain experience of different therapeutic models and approaches. Core placements are completed in a flexible order and settings can include:

• common mental illness
• children and young people
• neurodisability and neurodevelopmental conditions
• later life
• physical health
• acute, severe and enduring mental illness

The 10-month elective placement in third year allows for:

• any outstanding competencies to be demonstrated
• specialisation
• a chance to pursue interests regarding future career pathways

The region can offer a considerable choice of elective placements available in specialist services and regional centres (e.g. neuropsychology, physical health, psychosis, forensic, or specialist therapy settings).

Placements are organised by the clinical tutor team. They monitor placements during placement reviews.

Placements are primarily provided within regional NHS Trusts. Trainees are allocated placements over a large geographic area, covering Northumberland up to the Scottish Borders, North and West Cumbria, North Durham, and more central locations in Tyne and Wear. We strongly recommend that Trainees have the use of a car and a current valid driving licence.

Trainees must be able to ensure that they can meet the mobility requirements of the post. This means being able to attend placement when agreed, complete community visits as required, and undertake the expected workload. If a trainee cannot drive due to a disability, then we will make reasonable adjustments around this. We do not make adjustments for those who live out of the area for travel or commuting time. We calculate all travel requirements by using the University as your base.

We take health conditions and carer responsibilities into account when allocating placements.

Research training

There is considerable clinical and research expertise within the programme team. This helps to develop excellence in our trainees and graduates.

We offer high-quality research training to our students. We encourage involvement in programmatic research and dissemination of the research output. This includes peer-reviewed journal publications and professional conferences.

Your future

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

Excellent general learning resources are available, including:

• Canvas Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Praxis online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training programme
• IT and library facilities

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. You will be eligible for a scholarship worth 15% off the international fee. 

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.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events