Curious about studying Doctorate Clinical Psychology (D Clin Psych)at University of Essex? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD / DPhil
University of Essex
Full Time
Oct 2026
3 Year
The University of Essex Doctorate in Clinical Psychology has been training people to become reflective and highly competent clinical psychologists since October 2005. The programme was developed in partnership with commissioners from the Health Education East of England, the University of Essex, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and NHS Trusts based in Essex.The programme benefits from the input and support of clinicians based in South and North East Essex, particularly Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Some input into psychodynamic teaching is also provided by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. The programme is housed in the vibrant academic and research community of the School of Health and Social Care, which has an excellent reputation for research and teaching in health and social care, and it is committed to inter-professional learning.
This module involves the processes and assessments relating to the development of ten core competencies at a level commensurate with the first year of training and relevant to working with adults and older adults. You complete two supervised practice placements (or their equivalent).
This module covers three topic areas: Adult Mental Health, Older Adult Mental Health, and Neuropsychology. It allows you to gain the knowledge, understanding and competencies required to provide clinical psychological services to Adults, Older Adults, and people who require neuropsychological assessment and related interventions.
This module aims to enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and values to plan and conduct research relevant to clinical psychology in health, social care or community settings. It will help you to acquire a broad understanding of both quantitative and qualitative methods for research within clinical psychology.
On this module, you will attend fortnightly clinical seminars which foster reflective practice regarding your experience of training and your clinical practice placements; attend a reflective group; focus on diversity issues relevant to clinical psychology practice, theory and research; and explore the professional role and identity of clinical psychologist trainees.
This module lays the foundation for the clinical skills needed to work with adults and older people in the NHS and private and voluntary sectors. This includes both generic clinical skills and specific skills in two major approaches: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy. The module combines a range of approaches to facilitate your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to these approaches.
This module involves the processes and assessments relating to the development of ten core competencies at a level commensurate with the second year of training and relevant to working with people with intellectual disabilities, children and adolescents. You complete two supervised practice placements (or their equivalent), involving work with people with intellectual disabilities and children and adolescents (CAMHS).
This module develops your knowledge, understanding and core competencies in working with children and adolescents, their families, and people with intellectual disabilities. It provides you with the required knowledge, understanding and skills to make links between theory and practice within second-year placements in CAMHS and in services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Start to develop specialist research-related competencies, building on the foundation of some of your first-year modules. Your learning and development will be supported by research tutors and other academic staff who will be available to discuss your developing research ideas. Module assessment involves submission of a Service Related Project (SRP).
On this module, you will attend fortnightly clinical seminars which foster reflective practice regarding your experience of training and your clinical practice placements; attend a reflective group; focus on diversity issues relevant to your second year of training, especially in relation to learning disability and working with children and families; and explore the professional role and identity of clinical psychologist trainees.
This module provides you with the clinical skills required for your second-year placement, working within services for children and adolescents (CAMHS) and people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, this module includes teaching on the theory and practice of systemic therapy.
This module aims to enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and values to work effectively in specialist service settings such as physical health, drugs and alcohol, neuropsychology, forensic, specialist CBT, and other settings. This modules comprises supervised clinical practice on two six-month clinical placements (in some cases on one year-long placement). The precise nature of each placement will vary in accordance with the nature of the service and the needs of the service users.
This module further develops your understanding of integrative therapies and community psychology. The critical psychology topic area draws on critical psychology perspectives. Throughout this module, the emphasis is on developing your competencies in relation to the evaluation of and critical reflection on a broad range of psychological models and approaches relevant to working within complex settings.
This module supports you in producing your thesis and provides you with further support in working towards the dissemination of your findings.
On this module, clinical seminars and a reflective group focus on further developing your competencies and sense of your professional identity as you near the end of your training. You also focus on a diversity topic relevant to your third year of training, and consider your professional move to qualified status.
This module provides you with the competencies to work effectively with people with personality disorder and to work within forensic settings, including understanding requirements relating to providing court reports and expert witness work. Additionally, provision is made for specialist, elective teaching on the basis of topics identified in consultation with trainees. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
Thesis submission is expected by the end of year 3, after which you will be registered 'under examination' whilst undertaking your viva examination, and any follow-up work.
4.3
