Psychology - Applied Psychology - Mental Health & Psychological Therapies

Overview

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);

• Take up a post as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner or a Clinical Associate in Psychology, for those who have successfully completed the associated training route.

• Pursue PhD research in the area of mental health.



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.



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 is sometimes able to offer a further placement opportunity for students who have completed the course, in the form of a 15-credit standalone placement module (NB - these placements are not related to the PWP or CAP routes in the MSc).



A selection of clinical placement arrangements have been established in Psychology Services in the local Health and Social Care Trusts, in specialisms including Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Paediatric Psychology, Older Adults, Personality Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder services. This post-MSc module is only open to those students who have completed the MSc at Ulster, and students who enrol on this module would be working as the equivalent of Assistant Psychologists on a voluntary basis in these services (length of placements are typically between 6 months and one year). Placement circumstances may change; please enquire as to whether this opportunity may be available during the year in which you wish to undertake the course.

Year one

Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice

Research Dissertation

Advanced Research Methods in Applied Psychology

Psychological Interventions for Children and Families

Assessment, Formulation and Intervention (CBT model)

Developmental & MH Considerations across the Lifespan (Assessment, Formulation and Intervention)

Psychological Assessment and Engagement

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

Values, Diversity and Context

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Clinical Placement

Research Methods and Clinical Evaluation

Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice

Clinical Associate Psychology (CAP) Clinical Practice Placement

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, are advised to use the space provided in the personal statement/additional information 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.



Other Qualifications

Only those with a primary degree in Psychology are eligible to apply. However, if you have a degree in another discipline, and feel strongly about making a career change into Psychology, you can apply to the British Psychological Society to undertake a Conversion Course in Psychology, which then gives you eligibility for Chartered Membership in the future. If you have successfully completed a conversion course, or you are currently studying on one, your application for entry to this MSc programme will then be considered.



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.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements

• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

Those who have already undertaken professional postgraduate training in CBT may be exempt from undertaking the modules related to these therapeutic methods.



Those who have attained a PhD may be exempt from the Advanced Research Methods module.



Applicants in either of the above situations can enquire about Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) at the time of applying.

The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2026.

1 year full-time.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

Careers and Opportunities

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 aCAP.