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
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 150 for Psychology – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Psychology – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
British Psychological Society (BPS)
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The systemic learning stream within the second year provides accreditable foundation level AFT training, and we are currently exploring BABCP level 2 pathway accreditation, both of which would be optional to trainees.
We run a strong Neuropsychology Pathway, designed to help Trainees who may be interested in specialising in Clinical Neuropsychology post DClinPsy to gain a knowledge base and practical experience which will help partial accreditation towards a post-qualification Diploma in Neuropsychology delivered by the University of Bristol, and/or potentially QiCN route. Neuropsychology is taught across all three years and links in to the placement and teaching themes.
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
This course will enable you to meet the standards required by the Health and Care Professions Council. Further information on the required standards for Practitioner Psychologists (including Clinical Psychologists) is available on their website.
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
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
All applicants must have:
- GBC confirmed at the time of application
- 1st class or 2:1 undergraduate degree in Psychology or 2:2 plus evidence of subsequent academic achievement (e.g. Relevant PhD or Master’s degree at the level of Merit or Distinction). Or:
- Have a recognised “conversion” degree, with a 2:1 or 1st class level in the undergraduate degree or the conversion degree. Or if 2:2 in both then evidence of subsequent academic achievement (e.g. Relevant PhD or Master’s degree at the level of Merit or Distinction)
Minimum score of 3 on our academic scoring criteria on application
Graduate basis for chartered membership
Graduates with a first degree in a field other than psychology must have completed a BPS approved Conversion course prior to application or completed the BPS exam conferring GBC, and will be expected to meet the same experience requirements as other applicants.
Clinical experience
All Trainees accepted onto the Programme need:
- A minimum of 12 months full-time (or equivalent) relevant clinical experience.
- This relevant clinical experience should be undertaken post undergraduate degree (ensuring you have GBC Status). Experience gained during an undergraduate degree (placements or voluntary work) will not be sufficient on its own.
Examples of relevant experience include:
- A clinically relevant PhD or research post that has involved direct clinical contact with people experiencing mental health difficulties
- Experience of paid work in a clinical, community or clinical-academic setting. The role should have involved working 1:1 therapeutically with client groups that fall within the remit of clinical psychology.
Please note that the following types of roles, whilst valued for development, would not count towards the criteria of twelve months FTE of relevant experience or employment.
- Carer
- Mentor
- Helpline volunteer (e.g. Samaritans)
- Befriender
- Support Worker
- Special Education Needs Assistant
- Teacher, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Lecturer, Trainer
- Clinical experience limited to general healthcare (e.g. general practitioner, nurse)
Experience must be sufficient to indicate:
- Knowledge of working practices within NHS/UK statutory mental health service settings
- Realistic expectations of the demands and nature of Clinical Psychology training and practice
- Some experience of applying psychological theory in a clinical setting
- A general awareness of key current professional and organisational issues
Beyond minimum requirements, we are concerned more with the quality and nature of the work experience than the quantity.
Equal opportunities
The Programme is committed to ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and confirm to Newcastle University’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
We use anonymised Equal Opportunities data provided by applicants to inform any updates to our selection processes in an effort to promote fair access to the profession for people from underrepresented groups.
We plan to publish on our website anonymised admissions and retention data, differentiated by the protected characteristics of applicants, to aid transparency around recruitment to our Programme.
Additional information regarding Newcastle University’s Prospective Student data collection notice can be found here.
We use positive action processes when candidates of equal merit are tied at selection.
Contextual admissions
Our Programme is considering developing contextual recruitment processes. We will in due course provide further details on our website about the work we are doing in this area.
Disability Confident / Applicants with disabilities
We are part of the Disability Confident scheme in line with the Equality Act (2010). CNTW is a disability confident employer. For candidates who have self-declared a disability, they must also meet our minimum academic, clinical and references criteria.
As per the disability confident scheme, due to the high number of these applications, it is important to note that it may not be practicable or appropriate to interview all people who self-declare a disability who meet our minimum criteria. In these circumstances we will select those who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria (as would be the case for non-disabled applicants).
