Clinical and Health Psychology PhD, MScR
Awards: PhD, MScR
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Clinical and Health Psychology
The PhD and MSc by Research in Clinical Psychology offer the chance to work with, and be supervised by, a range of clinical academics across many areas of psychology.
Candidates should note that these programmes do not lead to Chartered Clinical Psychologist status.
Our research involves national and international collaborations, with many projects involving NHS partnerships.
Our research interests include: mindfulness and third wave approaches; eating behaviours and disorders; psychosis and complex mental health; risk and resilience in children and adolescents; psychological treatments; and violent behaviour and sexual offending.
For more detailed information about potential PhD supervisors, their research interests and publications, please visit our website.
We have an active research group in the area of applied developmental psychology and psychological therapies research for severe mental health issues. A large number of the clinical psychology team and our students are part of the Centre for Applied Developmental Psychology, specialising in research that aims to promote the wellbeing of young people and aid recovery in those with mental health problems.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 3 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2023/24 |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2023/24 |
The PhD and MSc by Research programmes allow you to conduct an independent research project that makes a significant contribution to your chosen field of study and to further develop your research skills. We provide expertise in a variety of research methods including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
You will be assigned two supervisors (usually one for MSc by Research) and you will meet with your supervisors regularly. Workshops, seminars and courses in research methods are available to postgraduate students undertaking a higher degree by research.
We work in close collaboration with the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, enabling School of Health in Social Science research students to benefit from the extensive suite of social science research courses offered by both Schools.
With close ties with other humanities disciplines and with colleagues in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, we offer PhD students excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary supervision and research project development.
The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in the same areas as our on-campus programmes: Clinical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Health in Social Science and Nursing Studies.
The programme allows students who are unable to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh full time to study for a PhD in a field of Health in Social Science from their home country or city - however this is not intended to be a fully online distance learning programme.
Students enrolled on this programme will be expected to come to Edinburgh at least once per year of study to meet with their supervisors. The length and timing of these visits are negotiable but students should expect to spend at least two weeks at the University of Edinburgh during each year of study.
For further information on the programme (including entry requirements and how to apply) please see the school website:
These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.
For MScR: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject area.
For PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree and a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents, in a relevant subject area. We may also consider your application if you do not have a masters degree, but have other relevant research experience.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
PhD | Clinical Psychology by Distance | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
PhD | Clinical Psychology by Distance | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Featured funding
- [Postgraduate research scholarships and funding] (https://www.ed.ac.uk/health/subject-areas/postgraduate-research/scholarships)
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5144
- Contact: PGRAdmissions.Health@ed.ac.uk
- School of Health in Social Science
- Medical School
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- Programme: Clinical and Health Psychology
- School: Health in Social Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Clinical Psychology - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD by Distance in Clinical Psychology - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD by Distance in Clinical Psychology - 6 Years (Part-time)
MSc by Research Clinical Psychology - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc by Research Clinical Psychology - 2 Years (Part-time)
Programme start dates | Application deadlines |
---|---|
9 September 2024 | 13 November 2023 |
6 January 2025 | 13 November 2023 |
The School of Health in Social Science operates a gathered field approach to PGR applications - this means that all complete applications which satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and an admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date.
The application deadlines and dates for decision are listed in the table below. In order to ensure full consideration of your application we ask that you submit your complete application including all supporting documentation by these dates. More information about what will be considered a complete application and how to apply can be found on our School website:
Applicant's planning to apply for the University of Edinburgh's funding opportunities must apply by the first deadline.
Application deadlines | Decision dates |
---|---|
1 | 14 November 2022 | mid-January 2023 |
2 | 24 April 2023 | June 2023 |
You must submit two references with your application.
Before applying please ensure that you have read and followed the guidance for application to postgraduate research programmes with the School of Health in Social Science.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5144
- Contact: PGRAdmissions.Health@ed.ac.uk
- School of Health in Social Science
- Medical School
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- Programme: Clinical and Health Psychology
- School: Health in Social Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences