MSc Research in Clinical Psychology

Why choose Herts?

Professional Accreditations

Please note that this MSc does not replace an accredited doctoral training programme in Clinical Psychology, nor will it guarantee entry to such a programme or provide a professional qualification in clinical psychology.

Why choose this course?

The main educational aims of the programme are to provide you with a thorough knowledge about clinical psychology as an academic and professional discipline, and to develop your research competence in a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods of particular relevance to clinical psychology. Core knowledge areas such as psychopathology, psychological assessment and various types of psychological intervention are each taught in specific modules. You will be introduced to leading theories or models in each field and the scientific evidence on which they are based will be critically discussed. Important research paradigms and controversies dominating current scientific debates within clinical psychology will be presented, and you will learn and practice how to critically appraise published research.

We are Psychology was ranked joint first nationally for research impact, obtaining 100% outstanding rating in the Research Excellence Framework, 2021.

We are proud to provide an exceptional postgraduate learning experience, with 91% overall satisfaction for social sciences in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

You will receive extensive training in a range of essential research skills and we will be discussing various types of research design for investigating the aetiology of mental health problems, for evaluating the effectiveness of psychological therapies and for auditing mental health services.

The research training also includes:

• Advanced methods of statistical data analysis with exercises in SPSS
• You will learn how to professionally report and communicate the findings.
• Qualitative research methods, for example, Grounded Theory will be taught in a specialist module and you will learn to use software for the coding and interpretation of transcripts.
• Each student will be allocated to a senior researcher for a Research Internship, a particularly valuable learning experience enabling you to prepare an impressive MSc Research Project which will be your most important academic achievement of the programme.
• The programme also includes a module Professional Clinical Skills introducing you to the role and competencies of professional clinical psychologists within mental health care settings as well as professional standards and ethical considerations. It also provides you with training in some essential clinical skills.

The programme also includes a module Professional Clinical Skills introducing you to the role and competencies of professional clinical psychologists within mental health care settings as well as professional standards and ethical considerations. It also provides you with training in some essential clinical skills.

More specifically, the programme aims are to:

• provide students with in-depth knowledge about current theories of psychopathology covering both dimensional and diagnostic approaches for conceptualizing, defining, observing and assessing behavioural and mental indicators of psychopathology.
• provide students with detailed knowledge about psychiatric classification systems for mental health and personality problems as well as alternatives such as formulation
• provide students with thorough knowledge about different kinds of effective psychological interventions for the treatment or prevention of mental health and behavioural problems.
• educate and train students in various types of quantitative and qualitative research in the area of clinical psychology, their methodological justification as well as criteria of validity to critically evaluate strengths and weaknesses of research proposals or published research.
• provide education about professional standards for clinical psychologists as well as training in professional skills.

For further information contact Dr Caroline Whyatt, via email or phone on 01707 284608.

To find out more about this course you can come to our Postgraduate Open evening

What will I study?

We have our own dedicated postgraduate teaching rooms. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, practicals in class, workshops, group work, simulation exercises and individual supervision.

A blend of different assessment methods will be used. Part of the modules is assessed by exams, but the majority of the assignments constitute coursework such essays, data analysis reports, a written paper critique and oral presentations. Teaching is given by accredited clinical psychologists as well as academic psychologists who research clinical issues.

Further course information

Student experience