Practitioner Doctorate Clinical Psychology

Applications to the course are made through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology [http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/]. Please refer to the University of Surrey’s Clearing House entry for full details on our selection criteria and processes.

Partnership

The Programme is currently commissioned by the South Strategic Health Authority on behalf of London Strategic Health Authority as well as its own area. The Health Authority provides financial support to cover the fees of the trainees and their salaries and related occupational benefits.

What is Clinical Psychology?

Clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and to enhance and promote psychological well-being. The clinical psychologist aims to facilitate well-being through working with individuals on a one-to-one basis and within the context of their families and/or carers, as well as working with organisations. The foundations of how a clinical psychologist works are based upon peer-reviewed research evidence as well as more practice based evidence which is established within a clinical context. The work of clinical psychologists includes treatment of anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, adjustment to physical illness, neurological disorders, addictive behaviours, childhood behaviour disorders, personal and family relationships. They work with people throughout the life-span and with those with learning disabilities.

To find out more about clinical psychology you can view a short film made by the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology: 
http://lutube.leeds.ac.uk/avsmas/videos/472

Clinical Psychology as a career

Most clinical psychologists work within the National Health Service, where clinical psychology is an expanding profession. The introduction of the National Service Frameworks (NSF) for the mental health of older people, children and those with physical health conditions as well as the ‘Valuing People Now’ paper which addresses the needs of individuals with learning difficulties, all reinforce the value and importance of psychological well being and the need to address people’s concerns and difficulties in a holistic way. The recent Department of Health document New Horizons (2009) outlines a programme of action to improve the mental wellbeing of the population and to increase the quality and accessibility of mental health services. The Department of Health agenda to increase access to psychology and psychological therapies in all areas has resulted in new posts being developed. There has been significant expansion with services addressing the needs of people with severe and enduring mental health problems, rehabilitation and recovery, and children’s services.

Remuneration for this profession starts on the Agenda for Change salary scale Band 6, point 21 as a trainee and rising each year by one increment. Additionally, trainees at Surrey receive a higher cost of living (fringe) payment. Newly qualified clinical psychologists can expect to be appointed at Band 7, point 27 and after 18 months to two years, if they can demonstrate that they have gained further competencies in line with their knowledge and skills framework, they will be in a position to apply for a Band 8 post. The top end of the pay scale for the most senior psychologists is between Band 8c and in some circumstances, 8d.

Contrary to what many potential applicants think, it is not impossible to gain a place on a clinical psychology training course. Nationally, in the last three years, around one in four applicants for training secured a place.

At the University of Surrey course we are committed to equality of opportunity of access to clinical training. We value diversity and welcome applications from individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, whether in terms of ethnicity, educational or social background, previous career path, age, gender, disability, religion, or sexuality. We have a strong motivation to level the playing field for applicants to our programme and this influences our initial selection procedures. More information about our philosophy and applying to us can be found on the Applying page.

Interested in applying for clinical training at Surrey?

In line with our philosophy of equality in selection we try to ensure that, as far as possible, everybody has equal access to information that may help them make a successful application.

To this end, we no longer hold selection meetings but instead make information about the course and selection criteria available to all on our webpages and via the Clearing House in Clinical Psychology.

Useful Links

British Psychological Society

Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology

Health Professions Council – Approved Courses, Clinical Psychology

Useful Documents