MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)

Receive specialist clinical training and develop your scientific knowledge of psychology on our MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) course.

This course will qualify you for employment as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) within the National Health Service (NHS), and will provide you with a masters-level qualification. It combines elements of the University's BSc Psychology and the Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments run by the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute.

The degree is also an ideal stepping-stone for postgraduate studies in clinical psychology. 93% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 64% of responders from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification, including:

cognition
neuroscience
development
personality
social psychology.

You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during the second year.

In the third year of the course, you can develop your knowledge by exploring the areas that interest you most. The vast majority of modules in this year are optional and are regularly revised in order to incorporate the latest developments in psychology. Recent modules have included subjects such as:

autistic spectrum conditions
behavioural economics
nutritional psychology
cognitive behavioural theory and therapy.

During the fourth year you will receive specialist clinical training and carry out a placement within an NHS Talking Therapies service. This experience will link directly into practical modules, which are designed to develop your clinical skills around assessing and treating common mental health difficulties.

Throughout the course you will gain practical experience, and learn how to devise and run your own experiments. During the third year you will carry out an original piece of research on a topic of your choice. You may have the opportunity to present your work at conferences, and a number of past projects have won awards from the BPS and British Neuroscience Association.

This MSci is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Placement

You will carry out your fourth year placement within an NHS Talking Therapies service. This will normally involve conducting assessments and interventions for mild to moderate anxiety and depression under the supervision of NHS staff. The placement is a direct extension of the practical work taught during course modules.

You may also decide to carry out placements during the second year of the course, or during vacations. These can take place at an outside organisation such as a charity, or with one of our in-house clinics. These include anxiety, speech and language therapy, and dementia. Alternatively, you can volunteer as a research assistant on a range of projects within the Department of Psychology.

Overview

Receive specialist clinical training and develop your scientific knowledge of psychology on our MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) course.

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification, including:

cognition
neuroscience
development
personality
social psychology.

You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during the second year.

autistic spectrum conditions
behavioural economics
nutritional psychology
cognitive behavioural theory and therapy.

Placement

Entry requirements A Level AAA

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

AAA

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall, including 4 in standard level English, Mathematics and Science

GCSE

English, Mathematics and Science at grade B (6)

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

Additional requirements

Applicants will have sufficient relevant experience from working and/or volunteering in clinical practice, or the equivalent duration of time working in a setting that has provided transferable skills. These settings could include retail, hospitality, events, mentoring, or other settings that promote and develop skills in communication, problem-solving, reflection, managing difficult situations, and team-working. These transferable skills are in line with Health Education England's values-based recruitment.

Firm drop grade

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Applied and Professional Psychology

Explore how psychology can be applied in the real world, with broad consideration of professional values and ethics. You’ll gain knowledge on various areas of professional psychology, such as educational, occupational, health and forensic psychology and academia, research and teaching. You’ll develop professional skills and competencies that are required to become a psychologist.

Debates in Mental Health

Explore key current and historical issues in clinical psychology and develop your understanding of psychological disorders, their assessment and current evidence-based interventions.

Introduction to Psychological Research

Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods, and develop skills in planning, data gathering and dissemination stages of psychology-related research.

Learning about Learning

Develop an understanding of learning and memory and use this knowledge to reflect on their own learning. You’ll gain knowledge on the nature of learning and the theoretical models underpinning these processes.

The Person and the Brain

Build a broad understanding of psychology and its fundamental concepts and theories. You’ll gain knowledge on key principles of organisation of systems while covering topics such as neural and hormonal function, genetic contributions to behaviour, personality, and group dynamics.

Optional modules

Introduction to Neuroscience Methods

Discover the methods and scientific philosophy of modern human neuroscience. You’ll explore key concepts and applications such as human neuroimaging, brain stimulation, neuropsychology, psychophysics, psychophysiology, brain-body physiology, and scientific data visualisation.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Develop an understanding of biopsychology and cognition, perception and neuroscience through the study of topics such as attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, pain, and cognitive control.

Development Across the Lifespan

Discover how individuals change and develop from the neonatal period, throughout childhood, into adolescence and old age. Explore theories and research in typical and neurodivergent development and enhance your knowledge about observational methods.

Introduction to CBT

Study Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and learn the importance of evidence-based psychological interventions. You’ll focus on a range of common psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and learn the therapeutic tools for treating them. As you study, you’ll rely on contemporary evidence and learn the key stages of CBT including assessment, formulation, and endings.

Research Methods in Psychology

Extend your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology, examine methods of conducting and analysing quantitative and qualitative research, and enhance your data analysis and critical evaluation skills.

Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the complex interplay between social psychology, typical social phenomena and individual differences.

Optional modules

Behaviour Change

Explore the principles of behaviour change and gain an understanding of the research methods used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. You’ll learn how to apply evidence-based frameworks to a wide range of practical problems.

Compulsory modules

Project

Conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and a final written project report.

Communicating Current Psychology

Explore issues of current theoretical, ethical and practical importance to psychology and learn to disseminate information about these issues to wider audiences.

Optional modules

Language in the Brain

Discover how the brain correlates with language acquisition and processing. You’ll examine the aspects of language including comprehension (reading and listening) and production (spoken and written) as well as development language disorders and the methods employed in the study of the neuroscience of language.

Health Psychology and Behaviour Change

Study psychological theories to understand key topics in Health Psychology. You’ll consider them in relation to different developmental stages such as food preferences in children, sleep among adolescents, stress in adults and chronic illness in older adults. You’ll develop practical skills as you apply scientific theory and prepare for further study.

Emotion and Motivation

Enhance your understanding of the science of emotion and motivation as you study historical perspectives and current theory related to topics such as emotional expression and regulation, brain-body interaction, and behaviour change. You’ll learn by engaging with conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences and key research methods of the past and present.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

(all modules are compulsory in Year 4 as you will be training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to work in the NHS)

Engagement and Assessment of Common Mental Health Problems

For students training as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), this module will equip you with a solid understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidence-based treatment choices. You'll develop core competencies of active listening, alliance building, and working with client-centered information to understand how to support people with the management of common mental health problems.

Evidence-Based Low-Intensity Treatment of Common Mental Health Problems

Develop an understanding of the process of therapeutic support and the management of individuals and groups of clients including, where appropriate, friends, families, and carers. You'll develop general and disorder-defined ‘specific factor’ competencies in the delivery of low-intensity treatments and self-help interventions that are informed by cognitive behaviour principles.

Values, Employment and Context

For students training as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), this module will equip you with an understanding of the complexities of people’s health, social and occupational needs as well as the services that can support them. You'll develop decision-making abilities, clinical management and liaison in the delivery of support of patients, particularly where people require intervention.

Placement

Year 4 also includes a year-long placement in an NHS Talking Therapies service where you will be putting into practice the skills developed through teaching at the university. This will include assessing and treating people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression under the supervision of clinical staff.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The University of Reading will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit as set by the UK government for the relevant academic year. The fee cap for 2026/27 hasn't been confirmed yet. Please check the fees and funding webpage for the latest information. The annual fee for 2025/26 is £9,535.

New international students: £30,650 for 2026/27. The International tuition fee is subject to annual increases changes in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

As a graduate of this course you will be able to work as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) within the NHS. PWPs work with clients who have mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders, and carry out short evidence-based interventions using a variety of techniques. The role was set up to improve access to psychological therapies.

Additionally, this MSci is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

This course will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including analytical qualitative abilities, writing experience, presentation skills and the ability to think and analyse scientifically.

You could go on to work for organisations such as the NHS, the Civil Service, schools or charities. Skills learned on the course also open up many doors within the private sector, in areas such as HR, recruitment, management consultancy, publicity, finance and journalism.

MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)

Placement

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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