Master of Science - Clinical Applications of Psychology

This course will deepen students' knowledge and they will gain skills relevant to clinical and counselling psychology and psychotherapy.

The course covers professional issues relevant to clinical practitioners, such as risk assessment, ethical dilemmas and diversity in clinical practice, as well as basic counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy skills.

Students will gain in-depth knowledge of theories of psychopathology across the lifespan, and will study the biopsychosocial aspects of health and illness. They will explore the evidence base for psychological and behavioural change interventions in mental and physical health, and will cover advanced research methodology and statistics.

Through a dissertation, students will research a chosen area in depth. Previous placement organisations include Kingston Hospital, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), adult mental health service, Place2Be, Paiwand, Pyramid and Rise. If students have already secured a placement before starting the course, Kingston University can offer research placements in its Psychology Department. This course is taught by academics who are researchers and/or practitioners in clinical and health psychology. Also, visiting clinical and counselling psychologists will give lectures about their work in specialist clinical settings and populations.

Please note the course does not lead to a direct professional qualification as a clinical psychologist, or guarantee entry to doctoral-level training in clinical or counselling psychology.