Clinical Psychology PhD – (Ph.D.)

Research within clinical psychology spans the spectrum of key research themes integral to improving our understanding of psychological disorders. These include:

Cognition
Interpersonal and family environments
The integration of psychological explanation to derive understanding and intervention

Training

Research training within Clinical Psychology provides a flexibile platform for career development whilst offering structured progression to ensure study objectives are met. PhD students will join one of the research groups within the School and quickly be immersed in the current research activity being conducted. Which group students join will depend on the area of study proposed in the PhD application. Within their supervisory team, students will follow an intense induction, including agreeing on the key objectives of the study, resources available, relevant seminars and opportunities for personal development.
Within the wider research group, students will have the opportunitiy to discuss their research with fellow students, post-doctoral candidates and academics. Research Group seminars will provide background to recent developments within the discipline and there will be ample opportunity to share personal research findings, contribute to publications and attend/present at prominent conferences.

Progression

Progression is agreed in line with the PhD supervisory team, and key milestones are established so candidates can monitor their own development. In addition to regular meetings with supervisors, the School of Psychological Sciences hosts a dedicated postgraduate academic group who can provide further advice and guidance. All MPhil and PhD students are also active members of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences Postgraduate Training Programme, which provides transferrable skills training in research methodology, critical writing skills, intellectual property, research ethics etc.

The School also offers the MRes Psychology course, which provides research methodology training within psychology. All research students within the School are encouraged to attend course units from within the programme that are relevant to their research topic.

Typical units include:
Practical Issues in Psychological Research
Advanced General Methods in Psychology
Structured Approaches to Qualitative Data in Psychology
Philosophical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
Using Advanced Statistics in Psychology