Clinical Psychology

Overview

Why choose this programme

Finding creative ways to support people with mental health difficulties has come sharply into focus, with the Department of Health calling for more digital-ready clinicians and NHS England committing to a digitised mental healthcare provision by 2024. To meet this new approach, we’ll train you to deliver online therapies via telephone or videocall and we’ll introduce you to new tools, such as mobile apps, VR and avatar-based software.

You’ll benefit from our applied and policy-oriented teaching and research, which has a strong theoretical context. We also have a longstanding history of research funding, contributing to both national and global research projects.

On successful completion of the Clinical Psychology programme of the University of Surrey, you’ll have the academic and practice requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a Clinical Psychologist.

What you will study

You’ll begin your training with six weeks of teaching, where you’ll be introduced to the NHS and gain a solid foundation to working psychotherapeutically, using cognitive behavioural therapy to prepare you for your first placement. You’ll then start your clinical practice, spending two and a half days a week on clinical placement, two days back at the University for teaching or research, and half a day completing individual study.

This pattern will continue for your three years of full-time training (although there’s no formal teaching during August). Most of your teaching will support each of your placements, ensuring you’re properly provisioned to work with your clients.

During this time, you’ll build up the breadth and depth of your clinical skills in both applied psychology and psychotherapy, and by the end of the course you’ll be equipped to work with a wide variety of different clients in different contexts.

Alongside your teaching and placements, you’ll conduct research in a related area. Current students are researching topics including:

• How do facilitators explain paternal absence from parenting groups? 

• Mindfulness and positive workplace outcomes: an evaluation of the Headspace mindfulness app 

• Understanding the role emotional intimacy plays in the lives of professional, mid-life men. 

You’ll develop your literature review, research proposal writing and critical academic skills by attending workshops and seminars, and you’ll explore research methodologies through group discussions.