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Doctor of Psychological Science

Assessment is through mandatory coursework, and evaluation of clinical competence on supervised clinical placements. Mandatory coursework requirements involve: three essays; four Reports of Clinical Activity; two Small Service-Related Research Projects (a Systematic Review may be substituted in place of the second SSRP); one Major Research Project (comprising a Major Research Thesis and a Journal Article). In addition to assessed coursework, trainees are required to satisfactorily complete four supervised clinical placements over the duration of the programme. All required placements must be passed in order for the candidate to be deemed to have passed overall.

The thesis is the subject of oral examination by the External and Internal Examiners at the end of the programme.

Professional Practice

Clinical competence is developed over a minimum of four placements spanning the three years of the programme. The placements provide trainees with experience of clinical practice under the supervision of suitably qualified professional psychologists. All trainees are required to complete placements in mental health settings working with both child and adult clients, and in services for people with learning disability. Other placements include services for older adults, services for people with an acquired brain injury, prison and forensic mental health services, and specialist medical units in general hospitals.

Career Opportunities

Excellent career opportunities exist for professionally qualified clinical psychologists in a wide variety of health and social care settings. Opportunities may also be found in research, consultancy and higher education settings.

Admission And Selection

Candidates for the DPsychSc (Clinical) programme are selected through a competitive process in line with normal University admission procedures and in close collaboration with key stakeholders within the HSE and other agencies.

Applicants must have the equivalent of an honours degree in psychology recognised by The Psychological Society of Ireland that confers eligibility for Graduate Membership of The Psychological Society of Ireland. The qualification must be at least upper second-class honours level. On an exceptional basis, candidates with a lower second-class honours level degree may be considered. Qualifications deemed equivalent by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies may also be accepted. Successful applicants are likely to have a combination of strong academic ability, relevant clinical or health related experience, and personal suitability for a career in clinical psychology. At least one year of practical and/or research experience relevant to clinical psychology is generally required. Successful applicants are expected to have a means of transport to enable them to participate in all elements of the programme, including undertaking supervised clinical placements in health settings.

Please take note that clinical placements are secured by the programme throughout the HSE organisation and through affiliated agencies and social care providers (e.g. Brothers of Charity Services). There is no guarantee that placements will be provided within convenient commuting distance to NUI Galway and there is no obligation on the programme to secure placements close to where you live. If you cannot commit to some uncertainty with regard to placement location then this programme may not be the best option for you.

The Programme selects candidates on open competition principles. Candidates are required to submit an application form through CRM Recruit. It is very important that applicants complete all required sections and provided all necessary documentation. Failure to do so will invalidate your application. Shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in the selection process which involves various components including a group exercise and a panel interview. Selection procedures may vary from year to year and may be conducted online if necessary. Academic and clinical references are carefully considered and applicants may also be required to complete a written exercise.

The Programme hosts an annual Open Evening in November for intending applicants where queries regarding the Programme and the selection process can be directed to the Programme Staff in attendance. Details of the Open Evening are advertised on this webpage and via social media. In recent years the Open Evening has been conducted online, and for the forseeable future this is likely to continue.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Promoting diversity and inclusion in Clinical Psychology training is important to us in the School of Psychology at the University of Galway. However, there is little formal evidence of the extent of diversity of clinical psychology trainees and applicants in Ireland (e.g. gender, race, age, socioeconomic disadvantage, disability status, sexual orientation, geography).

We are carrying out a study in collaboration with all training courses in Ireland to profile the demographics of both current trainees and applicants to clinical psychology programmes. This will measure the diversity of current clinical psychology trainees and future applicants in order to determine whether interventions to increase diversity are required and ultimately work.

We invite all applicants to our Doctorate in Clinical Psychology 2025 to complete the following anonymous survey, which cannot be linked in any way to your application. It only needs to be completed once, even if you are applying for several courses.

https://ucdpsychology.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpbDvyetOIQerPg

Information for 2025 Intake

Applications for the above programme should be submitted by clicking here where further information is available to prospective applicants.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm on Friday the 10^th January 2025.

Please be advised that interviews for the next intake of the DPsychSc (Clinical) Programme have been provisionally scheduled to take place during March 2025. You are advised to check periodically for updates and possible changes to these dates. We will hold an online open day on Tuesday, 19^thNovember at 1pm. Please register your attendance with clinicalpsychology@universityofgalway.ie

Please find further information on Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology by downloading the information pack here:

‌Opening Evening Information 2022-23‌