Clinical Psychology Doctorate

Postgraduate

A patient and a pysychologist taking notes sat down

Train to become a qualified clinical psychologist through this joint award between Coventry University and the University of Warwick. Designed with NHS practice in mind, develop the professional, research and therapeutic skills needed to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

HLST304

Start date

September 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

This three-year full time course leads to the award of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psych). It aims to enable trainees to become reflective practitioners, placing great emphasis on personal and professional development.

The content of this programme encourages the creative use of psychological concepts and theories to solve problems in clinical settings, as well as a collaborative and cooperative group ethos.
The programme aims to provide students with the academic and research skills commensurate with doctoral status.
On successful completion of the course, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical Psychology). Please see the Accreditation section for further information¹.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 4th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2025

Why you should study this course

The course has been developed between Coventry University, the University of Warwick and NHS providers. Established in 1998, it has a long history of training effective clinical psychology practitioners who have gone on to become highly valued and respected members of the health and social care workforce.
You’ll study within the School of Health and Care at Coventry University and the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick. This collaboration offers a unique environment for your clinical psychology training, preparing you to work in the NHS and allowing you to benefit from both universities’ facilities.
Study time is divided between academic and research training at both Coventry University and the University of Warwick, and mandatory clinical placements in the NHS which are sourced for you by the university². During the second and third years of the course, you will complete a research thesis of publishable quality. The programme focuses mainly on evidence-based practice and critical evaluation of both psychological literature and clinical practice. It also places great emphasis on personal and professional development, enabling you to become a reflective practitioner.
In each year of the course, you will typically spend between 41 and 43 weeks on placement. During each of those weeks, you will have either three or four placement days, equating to 125-130 placement days per year². Placements for this course are identified, organised and allocated by your course team alongside NHS placement providers. Placement arrangements may vary per student, please contact the course clinical team for more information about going on a placement for this course.
- If you’re already enrolled on the programme, please contact Dclinpsych@coventry.ac.uk
- For those who aren't enrolled on the programme, please contact our admissions team: dclinpsychadmissions@coventry.ac.uk
Current trainees are full-time employees of the NHS and have annual leave and other benefits in line with the usual NHS entitlements. Fees for current trainees are funded by NHS England (NHSE).

Accreditation and professional recognition

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The Clinical Psychology Doctorate is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the 2026/27 intake.¹

On successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply for HCPC registration to practise as a clinical psychologist in the UK (subject to HCPC criteria and any additional costs; see the HCPC website for full details, eligibility criteria and application process).

If there are any changes to the accreditation or approval status, applicants and enrolled students will be informed as soon as possible.

British Psychological Society (BPS) - Accredited Clinical Psychology

The Clinical Psychology Doctorate is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for the 2026/27 intake.¹

Successful completion of this programme confers eligibility to apply for Chartered Membership of the BPS and full membership of the Division of Clinical Psychology (subject to BPS criteria and any additional costs; see the BPS website for full details, eligibility criteria and application process).

If there are any changes to the accreditation or approval status, applicants and enrolled students will be informed as soon as possible.

What you'll study

This course aims to provide you with a solid understanding of risk management theory and practical applications. Learn how to create long-term management plans to help mitigate disaster before it arrives.

Modules

Foundations of Personal and Professional Development

Credits/CATs points: 10
Student effort hours: 100
Contact hours: 68

Build the foundations for confident and compassionate clinical psychology practice. This module supports your personal and professional growth through self-awareness, ethical understanding and culturally sensitive approaches. Explore key frameworks, NHS values and professional guidelines while developing strategies for reflective practice, self-care, and managing the emotional impact of clinical work.

Designed to help you integrate theory with real-world experience, this module sets the tone for your journey as a thoughtful, resilient practitioner.

Compulsory

Psychological Approaches in Clinical Practice: 1

Credits/CATs points: 30
Student effort hours: 300
Contact hours: 191

Explore how emotional and psychological distress is understood and addressed in clinical psychology. This module introduces key therapeutic approaches, primarily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (including Third Wave) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, while building your skills in assessment, formulation and intervention.

Critically reflect on the impact of power, privilege and cultural sensitivity in practice, developing a compassionate, person-centred approach grounded in theory and self-awareness.

Compulsory

Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology: Adult Lifespan

Credits/CATs points: 30
Student effort hours: 300
Contact hours: 189

Develop the skills to support adults across the lifespan facing psychological distress or neuropsychological challenges. This module explores assessment, formulation and intervention through a culturally sensitive lens, with a focus on life-stage, ageing and contextual factors.

Gain insight into complex mental health conditions, cognitive impairment and therapeutic approaches, preparing you to practise compassionately and confidently in diverse clinical settings.

Compulsory

Research Methods in Clinical Psychology: 1

Credits/CATs points: 20
Student effort hours: 200
Contact hours: 94

Build the skills to design and evaluate impactful psychological research. This module introduces key epistemological and methodological approaches, helping you critically assess evidence, explore socio-cultural contexts and choose suitable research designs. Through workshops, tutorials, and hands-on tools, you’ll gain confidence in planning and conducting research that’s ethically sound, culturally sensitive and clinically relevant.

Compulsory

Placement: 1

Credits/CATs points: 50
Student effort hours: 500
Contact hours: 400

Gain hands-on experience working with adults across the lifespan in real clinical settings. This core placement introduces you to psychological assessment, formulation and intervention with clients facing a range of mental health challenges—from acute and chronic distress to long-term conditions. Develop essential clinical skills, explore multidisciplinary service contexts and reflect on your personal and professional growth through supervision and structured feedback.

This placement supports your development as a compassionate, culturally sensitive practitioner ready to make a meaningful impact.^2,5

Compulsory

Placement: 2

Credits/CATs points: 40
Student effort hours: 400
Contact hours: 400

Continue building your clinical confidence through hands-on experience with adults across the lifespan. This placement gives you the opportunity to apply core psychological skills—assessment, formulation and intervention—with clients facing a range of mental health challenges. You’ll deepen your understanding of service contexts, work within multidisciplinary teams and reflect on your development through structured supervision and feedback.

This module supports your growth as a reflective, culturally sensitive practitioner ready to make a meaningful impact in adult mental health services.^2,5

Compulsory

Modules

Personal and Professional Development in Context

Credits/CATs points: 10
Student effort hours: 100
Contact hours: 62

Deepen your understanding of the wider context in which clinical psychology operates. Explore the influence of ecological systems, from personal experiences to societal structures, on psychological practice. Critically reflect on power, diversity and professional guidance, while developing a reflexive, culturally sensitive approach to working across NHS and community settings.

Compulsory

Psychological Approaches in Clinical Practice: 2

Credits/CATs points: 30
Student effort hours: 300
Contact hours: 191

Develop the skills to support children, young people, families and individuals with learning disabilities through compassionate, evidence-based practice. This module introduces key therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural, systemic, and cognitive analytic models, while building your confidence in assessment, formulation and intervention.

Explore how psychological distress is understood across developmental stages and contexts, with a strong focus on cultural sensitivity, person-centred care and multi-agency working.

Compulsory

Theory and Practice in Clinical Psychology: 2

Credits/CATs points: 30
Student effort hours: 300
Contact hours: 189

Prepare to work compassionately with children, young people, families and individuals with learning disabilities. Build on your understanding of developmental, contextual and systemic factors that shape psychological distress.

Develop core skills in assessment, formulation and intervention—covering neurodevelopmental differences, trauma and complex presentations—while exploring how cultural sensitivity and lived experience inform ethical, person-centred care.

Compulsory

Research Methods in Clinical Psychology: 2

Credits/CATs points: 20
Student effort hours: 200
Contact hours: 99

Strengthen your research expertise with advanced training in qualitative and quantitative methods. Building on foundational skills, this module deepens your understanding of research design, data analysis and the cultural contexts that shape psychological inquiry. Learn to critically evaluate evidence, plan and conduct research in clinical settings and present findings with academic rigour—ready to contribute meaningfully to the evidence base in clinical psychology.

Compulsory

Placement: 3

Credits/CATs points: 50
Student effort hours: 500
Contact hours: 400

Gain real-world experience supporting children, young people, families and individuals with learning disabilities. This placement builds on earlier clinical training, offering opportunities to apply advanced assessment, formulation and intervention skills in diverse settings. Work with complex psychological and developmental challenges, engage in multi-disciplinary service contexts and reflect on your evolving professional identity through structured supervision and feedback.

This module aims to support your growth as a culturally sensitive, person-centred practitioner ready to make a meaningful impact.^2,5

Compulsory

Placement: 4

Credits/CATs points: 40
Student effort hours: 400
Contact hours: 400

Apply your developing clinical skills in real-world settings with children, young people, families and individuals with learning disabilities. This placement builds on earlier experiences, offering opportunities to assess, formulate and deliver interventions for complex psychological and developmental challenges. Gain insight into multi-agency service contexts and reflect on your evolving professional identity through structured supervision and collaborative practice.^2,5

Compulsory

Modules

Speciality and Development in Clinical Psychology

Credits/CATs points: 20
Student effort hours: 200
Contact hours: 122

Prepare for life as a qualified clinical psychologist with this forward-looking module. Explore specialist areas of practice and current NHS priorities such as trauma-informed care, public health and clinical leadership, while deepening your personal and professional development.

Through workshops, reflective groups and interprofessional learning, integrate theory with practice and shape your identity as a compassionate, culturally sensitive practitioner.

Compulsory

Research Methods in Clinical Psychology: 3

Credits/CATs points: 80
Student effort hours: 800
Contact hours: 63

Develop the advanced research skills needed to produce a doctoral thesis in clinical psychology and share findings with academic and public audiences. Learn evidence-based review methods, advanced data analysis and key communication techniques to prepare work for publication and presentation. The module also supports reflective practice, helping you explore your identity as both clinical practitioners and researchers.

Compulsory

Placement: 5

Credits/CATs points: 40
Student effort hours: 400
Contact hours: 400

Deepen your expertise in a specialist clinical area or develop leadership skills within psychological services. Gain hands-on experience with complex psychological presentations or organisational systems, building on previous clinical training.

Apply advanced assessment, formulation and intervention skills—or explore clinical leadership—while gaining insight into service-level dynamics and multidisciplinary collaboration. This module supports your transition into confident, reflective practice, ready to lead and innovate in your chosen area of clinical psychology.^2,5

Compulsory

Placement: 6

Credits/CATs points: 40
Student effort hours: 400
Contact hours: 400

Deepen your expertise in a specialist clinical area or develop your leadership skills within psychological services. Gain hands-on experience with clients facing complex psychological challenges or the opportunity to lead service-level initiatives. Apply advanced assessment, formulation and intervention skills—or explore organisational dynamics and strategic leadership—while gaining insight into the wider political and multidisciplinary context of care.

This module supports your transition into confident, reflective and impactful professional practice.^2,5

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The academic year runs from September to September and is divided into three terms. In your first year, you’ll usually spend two days a week at university and three days on clinical placement. Outside of term time, you’ll spend most of the week on placement, with one or two days for private study.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. Contact hours vary depending on the module but are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study. Please see modules for more information.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

face-to-face teaching
individual and group activities
online classes
tutorials.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

Clinical practice reports
Seminar presentations
Reflective placement summaries
Audio/visual recordings of role play exercises
Competency log and supervisor ratings
Clinical leadership portfolio
Service evaluation project
Research proposal
Research thesis
Viva-voce examinations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

All candidates, at the time of application, must be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Candidates should normally have at least a 2:1 honours degree and be proficient in the use of English. Candidates with a 2:2 honours degree will only be considered if they have also completed a master's degree in a relevant subject. If English is not the candidate's first language, and they haven't studied at degree level in English, then proficiency will need to be demonstrated to the level of IELTS 7 or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have relevant clinical experience, an understanding of the NHS and a commitment to working in it. The programme is not able to offer any accreditation of prior experience or learning (APEL) routes.

Furthermore, as public transport is very limited in some places, a current driving licence and car/motorcycle ownership or other independent means of transport is essential except for where reasonable adjustments apply. In line with other courses nationally, successful applicants will not be expected to be enrolled for other postgraduate studies when commencing clinical training.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section⁵.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Please see https://www.clearing-house.org.uk/applications/international-applicants for more details about entry requirements for international students.

People training on NHS places are employed by the NHS as Trainee Clinical Psychologists while they study. So to apply for an NHS place you need to have the right to work in the UK without restriction. A student visa is not enough for an NHS place on clinical psychology training.

If you are unsure of your status please:

check the UK Visas and Immigration website or
check the information provided by your local British Embassy

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	NHS England (NHSE) funded	Not available
International	Clearing House funding	Not available

Current students are full-time employees of the NHS and have annual leave and other benefits in line with the usual NHS entitlements. Salaries match the Clinical Psychologist Trainee Job Profile, which is Band 6, point 21, on the Agenda for Change pay scales. Fees for current trainees are funded by NHS England (NHSE).

Trainees are currently employed by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust for the duration of their training. It is expected that the trainees will conduct some of their core placements within Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, but not all, so for placements outside of this Trust, honorary contracts will be issued as necessary.
Candidates should check Clearing House Funding for funding updates.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the programme, you should be eligible for registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologists and have fulfilled the criteria and met the BPS Partnership and Accreditation Committee’s accreditation criteria for eligibility for Chartered status (BPS, 2017) and demonstrate the academic and research skills commensurate with doctoral status. See the 'Accreditation and professional recognition' Section for further details.

In particular, you should have the skills, values and knowledge to:

carry out high level psychological interventions in line with HCPC Standards of Proficiency (SOP) and CTCP criteria, evaluate their work and communicate effectively with clients, family members and carers, referrers and others, orally, electronically and in writing
work effectively with clients, family members and carers from a diverse range of backgrounds, understanding and respecting the impact of difference and diversity upon their lives
work effectively with systems relevant to clients, family members and carers including statutory, independent and third sector services, self-help and advocacy groups, user-led systems and other elements of the wider community
work in a range of indirect ways including via consultancy, leadership and workforce development e.g. supervision, training, team formulation and service evaluation to improve psychological aspects of health and healthcare
conduct research that enables the profession to develop its knowledge base and to monitor and improve the effectiveness of its work
understand, apply and critically evaluate theoretical knowledge, as outlined in the CTCP accreditation criteria for training programmes in Clinical Psychology
develop high-level skills in managing a personal learning agenda and self-care, and in critical reflection and self-awareness that enables transfer of knowledge and skill to new settings and problems.

There is currently great demand for clinical psychologists within the NHS. The majority of our graduates go on to take up positions in clinical practice.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates have gone on to work in the NHS, social care, charity and third sector organisations.

How to apply

UK students

International students

Disclaimers

Coventry University, Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, gues speakers, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first academic year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees annually, but such increases will be no more than 5% above the inflation rate. If you defer your course start date or extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example, to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

⁵Placements

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the University.

Your next steps

Student life

Accommodation

Fees and funding

Clinical Psychology Doctorate

Course overview

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

Ranked 4th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Why you should study this course

Accreditation and professional recognition

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

British Psychological Society (BPS) - Accredited Clinical Psychology

What you'll study

Modules

Modules

Modules

How you'll learn

Teaching contact hours

Guided and independent study

Assessment

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Careers and opportunities

Where our graduates work

How to apply

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

²UK and international opportunities

³Tuition fees

⁴Facilities

⁵Placements

Student Contract

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