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Appendix 9 - UCL Regulations for the degree of Doctor in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

1. Entrance Qualifications

1.1

The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration for the degree of Doctor in Clinical Psychology is an upper second class honours degree with Psychology as the main field of study, or an appropriate Master's Degree or Diploma, qualifying the applicant for graduate basis for registration with the British Psychological Society. Applicants should also have at least one year's relevant clinical experience. In exceptional circumstances (and subject to the approval of the authorities of the College), consideration may be given to those without such clinical experience.

2. Duration of Programme of Study

Full-time: three calendar years  

3. Curriculum

3.1

The course of study for the degree of Doctor in Clinical Psychology includes formally taught and practical elements, which provide academic and clinical underpinning for the research undertaken. Candidates are required to complete four case studies, one piece of service-related research and undertake a substantial piece of research resulting in a thesis.

3.1.1 Formally Taught Elements

The teaching programme will cover methods of clinical psychological research, statistics and basic research on the psychological models of clinical disorders, methods of assessment and interventions in a range of clinical areas.

3.1.2 Practical Experience

Candidates will be expected to acquire supervised clinical experience with a number of clinical populations in accordance with the requirements of the British Psychological Society which would qualify successful candidates to become eligible for recognition as a chartered clinical psychologist.

3.1.3 Case Studies and Service-Related Research

Four case studies and one piece of service-related research, which shall total approximately 15-20,000 words, shall be completed.

3.1.4 Thesis

The length of the thesis shall be approximately 25,000 words, with a maximum of 40,000 words.

The overall research submission (3.1.3 and 3.1.4) shall illustrate the candidate's ability to apply scientific psychological principles at various levels of application of clinical psychological knowledge.

4. Assessment and Oral Examinations

4.1

All assessments, including the assessment of clinical competence, will be overseen by examiners external to the University.

4.2

Written examinations qualifying a candidate for submission of the thesis will take place in the first two years of the course and will comprise:

(i) a 3-hour written examination in year 1, assessing the theory and application of clinical psychological methods;

(ii) a 2-hour written examination in year 1, assessing competence in research methods;

(iii) a 3-hour written examination in year 2, assessing the theory and application of clinical psychological methods at an advanced level;

(iv) a 3-hour written examination in year 2, assessing competence in statistics.

4.3

A candidate failing any examination in the first or second year will be required to sit and pass an equivalent examination in August or September of the same year.

4.4

Clinical competence will be monitored throughout the clinical placements and will be assessed by examiners at the end of each 6-month placement period. Satisfactory performance on six 6-month placement periods (i.e., an equivalent of three year-long placements) will be required for the award of the degree.

4.5

If a candidate fails to satisfy the requirements of a clinical placement, an oral examination will be conducted by at least two examiners, one of whom will be external to the University. The examination will cover clinical work undertaken in the placement and will be designed to test the candidate’s ability to integrate theory, research and clinical practice at a level appropriate to their year of training. The possible outcomes of the oral examination are:

(i) Placement passed

(ii) Placement passed conditional on demonstration of specific competencies in an additional placement

(iii) Placement failed: candidate permitted to demonstrate the required competencies in an additional clinical placement. More than two placement failures will result in failure of the course.

(iv) Placement failed and candidate not permitted to continue on the course.

4.6

The four case studies will demonstrate a knowledge of psychological theory and its application to clinical work. The service-related research report will demonstrate an ability to conduct applied research in clinical service settings. Two case studies, or one case study and the service-related research report, will be submitted in year 1. Two case studies, or (if the service-related research was not submitted in the first year) one case study and the service-related research report, will be submitted in year 2. The final case study will be submitted in year 3. A candidate who fails any piece of work (case study or service-related research) will be required to demonstrate the relevant competencies by submitting a new, equivalent piece of work. If the resubmission fails to satisfy the requirements, the candidate will not be permitted to continue on the course. Details on the timing of the resubmission will be announced by the course tutors.

4.7

The thesis will make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and will afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical power. It will be examined by an oral examination, which will be conducted by at least two examiners, one of whom will be external to the University. The examination will be designed to test the thesis against the criteria stated above. The possible outcomes of the oral examination are:

(i) Pass

(ii) Pass conditional on minor corrections (one month)

(iii) Referred for stipulated revisions (three months)

(iv) Referred for major revisions (one year); a further oral examination, following resubmission, may be held at the discretion of the examiners

(v) Fail: no resubmission permitted

4.8

The award of the degree will be dependent on a satisfactory defence of the thesis in the oral examination as well as successful completion of all the other elements of the course as detailed above.

4.9

All elements of the course must be completed within four calendar years. In exceptional circumstances, this may be extended at the discretion of the examiners.

5. Dates of Assessments and Oral Examinations

5.1

Written examinations qualifying a candidate for submission of the thesis will take place in the third term in year 1, and in the third term of year 2. Dates will be announced annually by the course tutors. Assessment of clinical competence, including an oral examination when necessary, will take place at the end of each 6-month placement period. The four case studies and the service-related research report will be submitted as detailed in section 4.6 above; dates will be announced annually by the course tutors. The bound volume of the four case studies and the  service-related research report will be submitted with the thesis.

5.2

The thesis will be submitted in June of the third year of study and will be examined by the end of September. Dates for the submission and examination of the thesis will be announced annually by the course tutors. Bound copies, including minor amendments to the thesis specified by the examiners, must be submitted by 31st December for the thesis to be passed in the current academic year.

5.3

In the third term of the third year of the course of study, a candidate may defer submission of his/her thesis to  June of the following year. In this case, examination of the thesis will be by the end of September of the same year.