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Course information

Department

Psychology

Length

1 year full-time, or 2 years part-time

Course overview

This innovative MSc programme aims to provide students with a strong knowledge and experience base for progressing to health service careers, particularly those looking to become clinical psychologists and clinical psychology researchers.

  • The Masters will equip you with an up to date knowledge of relevant theory and practical issues in UK mental health services, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake research and development in academic and healthcare settings. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a work placement in an applied setting, providing valuable skills and experience that will aid career development. 
  • This programme is intended for graduates in Psychology or related disciplines who are interested in progressing to careers in the health professions as practitioners, researchers or managers, and current health service professionals with a degree in Psychology or related disciplines who wish to enhance skills and knowledge in the areas covered by the programme as part of their continuing professional development. This programme is also intended for those who may want to pursue a postgraduate research degree in areas related in clinical psychology. Please note, however, that the MSc itself does not lead to a clinical qualification.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Andrew Cooper.

What you'll study

The programme comprises two pathways: an Applied Clinical Psychology and a Research in Clinical Psychology pathway undertaken over one year of full-time study, or two years equivalent part-time study. All students on both pathways will complete the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules

  • Understanding and Treating Psychological Disorders
  • Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology
  • Statistical Methods
  • Research Design and Analysis
  • Research Project

 

For the remaining modules, students will need to choose between the two pathways on the programme.

Students on the Applied Clinical Psychology pathway complete the following module:

• Professional Practice

The key feature of this module is a 35 day work placement in a setting relevant to clinical psychology. This pathway would suit students with limited work experience in areas related to clinical psychology, and who would like to develop a career in a more applied setting.

Students on the Research in Clinical Psychology pathway complete the following modules:

• Advanced Quantitative Methods

• Applied Research Design in Clinical Psychology

• Statistical Data Analysis Project

These modules are designed to provide students with more advanced research knowledge and skills. This pathway would suit students who would like to progress to further postgraduate study, particularly a PhD or DClinPsy, where research skills are key, and/or those students who already have substantial work experience in areas related to clinical psychology.

Assessment

Written and multiple-choice examinations, essay coursework, oral presentation, research dissertation.

Download the programme specification  for this degree to find out more about what you'll learn and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year. 

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in Psychology or a related subject (eg health studies, neuroscience) with a research component. Applications from international students are welcome. International students will be required to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in Psychology or a health-related subject.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2023/2024 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £10490
  • Home - part-time: £5245
  • International - full-time: £19210

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your academic qualifications
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
  • Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply 

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. Applications will be considered in two rounds. If you apply after 7 January you will automatically be considered in round two.

Round 1

Application deadline: 7 January
Interviews (if applicable): January
Decisions: Spring term

Round 2
Application deadline: 26 April
Interviews (if applicable): May
Decisions: mid-May

Applications who are not shortlisted or given an offer after round one may be held until round two applications have been considered. Late applications will only be considered on a rolling basis if there are spaces available on the programme. If you are interested in applying for scholarships, you are advised to apply before the round one deadline for the best chance of receiving your offer before scholarship deadlines.

Selection process 

Admission to this programme is made on the basis of the application materials you submit via your online application. Your suitability for the programme may also be evaluated via a telephone/Skype interview. In some cases, we will make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.

Find out more about applying.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Skills

The programme will provide you with knowledge of theory and practical issues relevant to practice in the UK mental health services, with a particular focus on clinical psychology. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills to undertake research in clinical settings and analyse data. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research and career interests by conducting a research project under the supervision of a member of staff and relevant external health services staff. Students on the Applied Clinical Psychology pathway will have the opportunity to complete a work placement where they can gain valuable skills and experience in an applied setting.

Careers

The programme is designed to provide a foundation for graduates who are interested in further developing the academic skills and experience needed to apply for UK Clinical Doctorate programs or for PhD programs in areas related to clinical psychology.

It would also help develop skills and knowledge for those who seek to develop careers in the NHS and with private healthcare providers more generally, including careers in various Allied Health fields and NHS management.

Lastly, the programme is designed to facilitate career progression for those already working in the health sector, by developing new academic skills and experience, particularly in relation to research design and analysis

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

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