Psychology: Clinical Psychology

Course Overview

The Doctor of Psychological Science in Clinical Psychology is a taught programme that provides professional training in clinical psychology. The programme is provided in partnership with clinical psychology services in the Health Services Executive and other agencies. The programme’s objective is to produce competent and capable clinical psychologists for the health service by providing high quality training in the clinical, academic and research elements of clinical psychology.



Course Outline

This programme provides trainees with a thorough and integrated training in academic, practical and research aspects of clinical psychology through teaching blocks, supervised clinical placements and supervised clinically relevant research projects.



Clinical competence is developed in supervised placements in child and adolescent, adult, disability, and elective settings over the programme’s three years. The placements provide trainees with experience of clinical psychology practice under the supervision of experienced clinical psychologists. Trainees have placements in mental health settings, working with both child and adult clients, and in services for people with learning disabilities. Other placements include services for elderly people, rehabilitation services, services for people with acquired brain injury, services for people with addictions, and appropriate settings in general hospitals. The development of personal awareness and interpersonal sensitivity is fostered.



The DPsychSc (Clinical) Programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a postgraduate professional training course in clinical psychology.



The programme provides basic professional training in many areas of work, including adult clinical psychology, child and adolescent clinical psychology and intellectual disabilities.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required PS6143: Theoretical Issues 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required PS6142: Research Methods 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1

Required PS6141: Clinical Practice 2 - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Required PS6140: Clinical Practice 1 - 30 Credits - Semester 1

Required PS6139: Report of Clinical Activity 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1



Year 2 (90 Credits)

Required PS6148: Research Methods II - 10 Credits - Semester 3

Required PS6147: Theoretical Issues 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 3

Required PS6146: Clinical Practice 4 - 30 Credits - Semester 3

Required PS6145: Clinical Practice 3 - 30 Credits - Semester 3

Required PS6144: Report of Clinical Activity 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 3



Year 3 (90 Credits)

Required PS6153: Theoretical Issues 3 - 5 Credits - Semester 5

Required PS6152: Clinical Practice 6 - 10 Credits - Semester 5

Required PS6150: Report of Clinical Activity 4 - 5 Credits - Semester 5

Required PS6151: Clinical Practice 5 - 10 Credits - Semester 5

Required PS6149: Report of Clinical Activity 3 - 5 Credits - Semester 5

Required PS6125: Research Methods III and Thesis - 55 Credits - Semester 5



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

Candidates must hold a degree or PDip in psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as granting eligibility for graduate membership of PSI. The qualification must be at least upper Second Class Honours level (barring exceptional circumstances). Qualifications deemed equivalent by the College of Arts may also be accepted.



At least one year of practical and/or research experience relevant to clinical psychology is generally required. Successful applicants are expected to have a means of transport to enable them to participate in all elements of the programme, including undertaking supervised clinical placements in health settings.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

3 years full-time

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities exist for professionally qualified clinical psychologists in a variety of health, forensic and social care settings. Opportunities may also be found in educational services and institutions. Most DPsychSc (Clinical) graduates take up employment in the HSE but a small number are also employed within agencies such as the Brothers of Charity Services and the Irish Prison Service.