Foundations of Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
(MSc) Foundations of Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
Entry for 2026
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course Aims
This MSc in Foundations of Clinical Psychology & Mental Health aims to provide a 1-year postgraduate grounding in research and clinical skills relevant to clinical psychology as well as a broad understanding of service provision in clinical psychology. These course aims should be attractive to new graduates eventually seeking a place on a DClin Psych clinical training course, and to a lesser extent to existing professionals and practitioners in either clinical psychology or other health-related disciplines. The Department of Psychology has research strengths in psychopathology and clinical psychology, and the MSc will be offered in partnership with the local Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who will be providing teaching on two of the modules and offering a limited number of research dissertation placements within the Trust. The Department of Psychology also has a strong suite of popular undergraduate modules in psychopathology, abnormal psychology and clinical psychology.
Course learning outcomes
Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the application of psychological knowledge to the practice of clinical psychology and the types of psychological and psychosocial theories and interventions employed by clinical psychologists in healthcare settings across the lifespan.
Describe, evaluate and perform a number of basic clinical skills relating to assessment, clinical formulation and treatment.
Demonstrate originality and reflective practice in the application of psychological knowledge to the understanding and treatment of mental health problems.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research methods relevant to clinical psychology and mental health. This will include methods to evaluate treatments and services, and to conduct research on the aetiology of mental health problems. Successful students will demonstrate a practical understanding of how established research techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge in the field of psychological therapy/intervention.
Demonstrate an ability to identify a research question relevant to clinical psychology. To be involved in an investigation, using appropriate research design or methodology and method in a way which demonstrates ethical and methodological awareness and to present findings in a clear and thoughtful way.
For information on the composition of this course please see either the on-line Undergraduate prospectus for undergraduate related courses or the on-line Postgraduate prospectus for postgraduate related courses.
More detailed information on the course structure and modules within this degree will be available on this page shortly.
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.