Psychology - Applied - Mental Health & Psychological Therapies

The programme provides an opportunity for students to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas of applied psychology related to mental health practice and research. It trains and equips students wishing to:

- Enter further professional training in Clinical, Counselling, Educational or Forensic Psychology;

- Become more employable for positions in the public and private sector (such as Assistant/ Associate Psychologist posts, Research Assistant/Analyst post);

- Pursue PhD research in the area of mental health.



In addition, the course has gained full BPS accreditation for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training. This can be taken as one of the routes within the MSc programme.



The course is also pursuing BPS accreditation for Clinical Associate Psychologist (Children and Young People) training in the current academic year. If successful, the accreditation will cover the current year’s cohort who undertake CAP training, and subsequent cohorts on that training route.



The MSc Applied Psychology programme was shortlisted for three consecutive years as the gradireland 'Postgraduate Course of the Year'.



The course team has been nominated by the students and shortlisted four times for 'Team of Year' in the UU Students' Union Learning and Teaching Awards. From multiple nominations across the University campuses, the MSc programme team was awarded as the runner-up in this category on these occasions.



Route Availability

Full-time students will be able to enrol on any of the routes on the course (pending any selection procedures). Part-time students will be able to enrol on the main course route - unfortunately, part-time students cannot enrol on the PWP or CAP routes of the MSc at this time, due to the structure of the training.



Route 1:The main course route is open to all applicants.



Route 2:There are a limited number of places on the PWP route, because of the limited number of clinical placements available. Therefore, the course team will be holding interviews for those interested in undertaking this route through the course. Please note:Due to the placement attached to the PWP training, and the supervision provided, there is an increased fee for the modules (worth 60 credits) associated with this training (other modules on the MSc course are charged at the standard rate) - more information on this can be found in the 'Additional Mandatory Costs' section of this prospectus entry.



Route 3: The number of places on the CAP route is specifically connected to the number of training posts available within the local health trusts. Applicants interested in this training route are required to submit an application to the MSc programme, and will also need to secure an appropriate Associate Psychologist Post / CAP CYP Training Post in Children’s Services in any of the five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. The advertisement and recruitment process for these posts is managed separately by the Trusts. Applicants who are not successful in securing a Trust CAP CYP training post will still be eligible to undertake Route 1 or 2 of the MSc programme, following the usual selection procedures for those routes.



Work placement / study abroad

The MSc programme has a number of opportunities to connect clinical placement experiences with studies on campus. The BPS-accredited Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner training (which forms a part of one of the course routes), includes a clinical placement in low-intensity psychological therapies services, arranged by the course team. The Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP) training route is connected to training posts within Psychology Services in the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trusts. In addition, the MSc presents a further placement opportunity for students who have completed the course, in the form of a 15-credit standalone placement module ('Clinical Placement in Applied Psychology'). A selection of clinical placements have been secured in Psychology Services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, in specialisms including Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Paediatric Psychology, Older Adults, Personality Disorder,



Professional recognition

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) against the requirements for qualification as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Year 1

• Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice (Main Route)

• Research Dissertation (Main Route, and PWP Route)

• Advanced Research Methods in Applied Psychology (Main Route, and PWP Route)

• Psychological Interventions for Children and Families (Main Route, and CAP Route)

• Assessment, Formulation and Intervention (CBT model) (Main Route, and CAP Route)

• Developmental & MH Considerations across the Lifespan (Assessment, Formulation and Intervention) (Main Route, and PWP Route, and CAP Route)

• Psychological Assessment and Engagement (PWP Route)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Low Intensity) for Common Mental Health Problems (PWP Route)

• Values, Diversity and Context (PWP Route)

• Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Clinical Placement (PWP Route)

• Research Methods and Clinical Evaluation (CAP Route)

• Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice (CAP Route)

• Clinical Associate Psychology (CAP) Clinical Practice Placement (CAP Route)

Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 degree in Psychology, which confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Those with a 2:2 are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those who have some additional relevant clinical experience to add to their CV.



NB:All applicants, regardless of qualifications, must use the space provided in the personal statement section of the online application process, to discuss any skills and experience that may be relevant to studying the MSc in Applied Psychology, and what they would like to gain from studying on the programme. This information may be used for selection purposes when offering places on the MSc.



Applicants interested in pursuing Route 2 on the MSc (Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner – PWP) will take part in a selection process, based on previous experience and an interview. Applicants who are not successful in securing a PWP place will still be eligible to undertake Route 1 or 3 of the programme, following the selection procedures for those routes.



Applicants interested in pursuing Route 3 (Clinical Associate Psychologist for Children and Young People – CAP CYP) are required to submit an application to the MSc programme and will also need to secure an Associate Psychologist Post / CAP CYP Training Post in Children’s Services in one of the Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. The advertisement and recruitment process for these posts is managed separately by the Trusts. Applicants must successfully apply for both the MSc programme and a Trust training post to be admitted to Route 3. Applicants who are not successful in securing a Trust training post will still be eligible to undertake Route 1 or 2 of the MSc programme, following the selection procedures for those routes.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Full time & Part-time Postgraduate course.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

Currently, our graduating students are successful in acquiring Assistant Psychologist positions, which with experience is allowing people to apply for Associate Psychologist positions. Others are successful in gaining entry onto Professional Doctorate programmes in Clinical, Counselling and Educational Psychology. Our graduates also secure posts in research and PhD scholarships in Psychology across the UK and Ireland. In addition, students who undertake the accredited Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training strand within the course will be able to seek registration with the BPS for working as a PWP; and those students who undertake the accredited (pending) Clinical Associate Psychologist (CAP-C&YP) training strand will be able to seek registration with the BPS for working as a CAP.