Clinical Psychology DClinPsychol Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Clinical Psychology Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time DClinPsychol | 3 years | Start date: October 2026 Key facts School School of Health in Social Science College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Clinical Psychology Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme The standard qualification for a career in clinical psychology, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology makes you eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and chartered status with the British Psychological Society.You'll be trained to an advanced level in the use of psychological interventions across a variety of settings, and will gain competencies in the application of a range of therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, and other approaches.In addition to compulsory competencies in psychological therapies and clinical case management, you will also achieve advanced competencies in consultation and supervision, service development and governance and applied psychology research and evaluation.Thanks to our partnership with NHS Education for Scotland and a number of Scottish NHS boards, current arrangements are that you will be employed throughout your training as a trainee clinical psychologist. At least half of your training will be clinical practice-based and you will complete a number of clinical practice placements, usually within your employing NHS health board area, covering different specialities and service areas. Programme benefits First taught in 1959, this advanced practitioner programme is one of the longest-established of its kind in the UKThe programme is constantly updated to ensure it reflects current practice, and you’ll be taught by lecturers who, as practitioners, are able to convey the most up-to-date methods and theories Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time DClinPsychol Clinical Psychology (3 years) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme. Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Funding opportunities Trainees are funded through NHS Education for Scotland (NES). The current arrangement is that NES pay fees, trainee salaries, and travel expenses. Those accepted on these funded places are currently employed by the NHS as Trainee Clinical Psychologists while they study, through one of the Scottish health boards.Trainees will all commence their employment at the first pay point on the Agenda for Change Band 6 salary. This applies to all trainees, regardless of previous experience. For all trainees, there will be a move to the next pay point on Band 6 after two years.Should there be any changes to funding arrangements, we will update this page with further information at the earliest opportunity. Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.You must be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (you may be eligible for GBC either through your undergraduate degree or through a GBC masters conversion course).Applicants should hold either: a GBC-accrediting honours degree with a mean percentage mark of at least 61a GBC-accrediting MSc conversion degree in psychology with a mean percentage mark of at least 61.a GBC-accrediting higher diploma conversion in psychology, at 2.1 equivalent level or above, with 240 credit equivalent (120 ECTS), where the overall number of research credits is at least 80 (40 ECTS) and with a mean percentage mark of at least 61.You should have relevant experience that allows you to apply psychological principles in practice. Check the programme website for more information:Doctorate in Clinical Psychology - entry requirementsYou must meet the visa requirements to be employed in the UK without restriction. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study Your learning is spaced throughout your years of training, organised in teaching blocks and days and interspersed with supervised NHS placements in linked areas.Placements cover a wide range of psychological work in primary care settings, the community and hospital. Compulsory courses Year 1 coursesClinical Psychology IAdult Mental HealthIntellectual DisabilitiesResearch 1Year 2 coursesClinical Psychology IIChildren, Adolescents and FamiliesNeuropsychology and Older AdultsResearch 2Year 3 coursesDoctoral ThesisElective Advanced Practice Seminars covering different specialist populations (e.g. psychosis, trauma, eating disorders) and therapies (such as ACT, IPT, CAT, and Schema Therapy)Mandatory Professionalism and Practice teachingSpecialist Placements Find courses for this programme Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed. The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme. Full-time DClinPsychol Clinical Psychology (3 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Teaching and assessment Learning outcomes Competent trainees will:be able to apply psychological skills, knowledge and values to clinical problems; that is, trainees will be able to assess, formulate, evaluate and solve problems using a range of psychological theories and knowledgebe able to apply knowledge of the different areas of clinical psychology to form a basis for working in any of the current applied fields of clinical psychologyhave practical, clinical and research skills, knowledge and values that will enable them to pursue a career in any area of clinical psychology and with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and in academic, health or community settingsbe skilled at communicating effectively with clients, and with staff from other disciplines and to work within multi-disciplinary teams as a clinician, supervisor or consultantbe skilled in the knowledge and values required to work effectively with clients from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgroundsunderstand the social context within which psychological problems may develop, and how environments may be modified in an attempt to ameliorate problemsunderstand the need for regular evaluation of their work, be skilled in self-reflection and self-awareness, understanding the need for continuing professional development after qualification Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Careers and further study Career opportunities The core purpose of the clinical psychology training programme is to train clinical psychologists to doctorate level. This allows trainees to impart the range of competences necessary to become eligible to apply for chartered status within the British Psychological Society and to apply for Health and Care Professions Council registration as a Practitioner/Clinical Psychologist.The programme provides sufficient experiences to equip trainees with the skills, knowledge and core values of the profession to work effectively within the NHS with a range of clients and in different settings using various psychological interventions.Once registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and the British Psychological Society, you will be eligible to apply for employment as a clinical psychologist in the NHS or with other organisations, and commence a rewarding career in this stimulating field. Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply All applications for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology are processed by the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology. When to apply Applications are normally open from September to mid-November. Check the Clearing House website for full details.Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. Interview You will need to attend an interview as part of our selection process. Apply More application information is on the Health in Social Sciences website. Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply. dclinpsychol@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 650 3889 Academic contact Dr David Gillanders School of Health in Social Science College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences University of Edinburgh
