Clinical Doctorate

The Royal Holloway course leads to a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology awarded by the University of London, as well as eligibility to apply, on completion of course requirements, for chartered status as a Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as a Clinical Psychologist[1].. We currently have between  26 and 29 places in each year. The number allows us to get to know trainees well and allows a cohesiveness to develop among the whole group.

The course is a fully integrated part of the Department of Psychology, which has an international reputation for teaching and research. Being part of the Department of Psychology means that the course is well connected to developments in the mainstream of basic and applied psychology.

Along with the other two north London courses (University College, London and University of East London), we draw our clinical placements from the entire north London area, meaning that trainees are placed in a very wide range of placements, including cutting edge, specialist services. All trainees are employees of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and are paid on the prevailing NHS trainee (Band 6) scales plus full Inner London weighting (University fees are covered by NHS London.

We promote the acquisition of skills and knowledge relating to all the major models (cognitive-behavioural, systematic, psychodynamic and humanistic), with particular strengths in cognitive-behavioural and systematic approaches, which reflects staff interests and expertise.

We place value on the critical application of psychological evidence and theory to clinical problems. However, trainees are encouraged to take a broad view of what constitutes evidence and to learn to apply evidence constructively, in a way that is sensitive to the clinical context. The course's approach to the trainees' development also encompasses the view that trainees learn by doing and by reflecting on what they have done.

A key feature of the course is encouraging the development of research capability through engendering trainees with the confidence, enthusiasm and capability to do research.

The Course is has been given the maximum possible scores on quality by the Quality Assurance Agency and

Steps to increase service users and carers' involvement in the NHS London in their evaluation processes.running of the course led to the setting up of the Service User and Carer Involvement Group (SUCIG) in 2007. The group also includes two trainee representatives and meets four times per year in our central London base. At present, service users and carers contribute to various aspects of the training course, including specific teaching sessions, selection and curriculum development. However, we are keen to develop this further and SUCIG plays an important role in generating and providing feedback on ideas for increasing involvement opportunities.

The College is based in very attractive surroundings just outside the M25 to the west of London in Surrey. Access by public transport is good (College Bus during term times or 15 minute walk to Egham Station, 40 minutes to Waterloo). The College also has a central London base, in Bedford Square, which is available for trainees and staff to use.

Print the full course specification for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology|