| UCAS code | C811 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAA |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: ABB |
Overview
- An innovative, dual BPS-accredited programme designed to equip you with the clinical skills to work as a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) upon graduation
- Train to work with patients experiencing depression and anxiety, including diagnosis and treatment of these conditions
- Explore the core principles of biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental and social psychology
- The clinical placement enables you to work with patients in a clinical setting, and build up clinical hours towards becoming a fully registered PWP with the British Psychological Society
- Set within a UK centre of excellence for Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training
Top 100 in the world for Psychology
QS World University Rankings 2024
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Unique partnership with the NHS for clinical training placements
Including access to the high-profile NHS Treatment Centre
Specialist research laboratories, clinical psychology suites, and audiovisual facilities
Top 100 in the world for Psychology
QS World University Rankings 2024
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
Unique partnership with the NHS for clinical training placements
Including access to the high-profile NHS Treatment Centre
Specialist research laboratories, clinical psychology suites, and audiovisual facilities
I really enjoy the content of the lectures and seminars on the programme, and the amount of support we are given by the academics and Student Services. This helped me achieve a first-class honours at the end of my second year.
My experience at the University of Exeter so far has been really fun. I get involved in student life as much as possible. There are always new opportunities available and Exeter is in a lovely location close to green spaces and the ocean.
I would advise a fellow student considering the University of Exeter to apply for something they are passionate about, and get involved as much as possible with university life. For example, I am the Vice president of the Vegetarian and Vegan Society and a member of the Badminton, Bulgarian and Body Societies too!
Once I graduate I will get a job as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and consider further study.
Marie
MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). BPS accreditation confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, provided the minimum standard of a Lower Second Class Honours is achieved. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAA | Grade A in a science subject* |
| IB | 36/666 | HL6 in a science subject* |
| BTEC | DDD | Applicants studying one of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas will be considered without GCE A-Level requirements: Applied Science; Health and Social Care; Sport and Exercise Science; Sport Science; Pharmaceutical Science. Applicants offering one of the above BTEC Extended Diplomas in lieu of the GCE A-Level Science will also be required to have a grade B or 5 in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. |
| GCSE | C or 4 B or 5 |
Grade C or 4 in English Language Grade B or 5 in Mathematics |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade | To include 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in an acceptable science subject area* |
| T-Level | T-Levels not accepted | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: ABB |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
*Accepted science subjects: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only), Marine Science; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Nutrition and Food Science; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Sport Science; Statistics.
Will there be an interview or test?
Yes - we meet all shortlisted applicants before making an offer. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview which will include an individual interview encompassing an assessment of your communication skills and other personal qualities.
Placement requirement
You will undertake a clinical placement within an NHS or other IAPT service setting in the final year of this programme. Given the exposure to patients, offers will be conditional upon successful completion of a self-disclosure form and satisfying full health assessments.
Course content
Your first- and second -year modules will provide you with an appreciation of the development of psychology, including a focus on applying psychology to clinical problems, and will introduce you to the concept of evidence-based practice.
You will also develop a clinical understanding of individual differences and psychopathology, and an appreciation of biological psychology, including the biological basis of behaviour and mental health.
Clinical research project and placement
In your third and fourth years you will undertake a clinical research project in the Mood Disorders Centre and a placement which will allow you to put your knowledge into practice. The Clinical Placement gives you the opportunity to work with a caseload of patients delivering low-intensity psychological interventions in a clinical setting, to build up clinical hours towards becoming a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) after you graduate.
Completing the course enables you to apply for qualified PWP positions at NHS Band 4/5.
Please note: due to the clinical nature of this course, the final year is longer than the standard university terms. The end date of your final year of study will be 31 August.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
These modules are shared with the BSc Psychology programme and provide you with a broad introduction to research methods, statistics, social, cognitive, biological and developmental psychology.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules
a The written Statistics examination component of PSY1205 must also be passed at 40%.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY1202 | Introduction to Biological Psychology | 15 |
| PSY1203 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 15 |
| PSY1204 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 15 |
| PSY1205 | Introduction to Statistics [See note a above] | 15 |
| PSY1206 | Introduction to Research Methods | 15 |
| PSY1207 | Cognition, Emotion and Development | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY S1 BSc-MSci-BA Psy-App Psy opt 2021/2 | ||
| PSY1105 | Introduction to Behaviour and Evolution | 15 |
| PSY1126 | Classic Studies in Psychology | 15 |
| PSY1208 | Workplace Learning | 15 |
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules (in stage 2 you must take one practical module per term. You are required to take either one social or one cognitive practical. You cannot take two cognitive practicals, two animal behaviour practicals or more than one social practical.)
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY2203 | Social Psychology II | 15 |
| PSY2205 | Personality and Individual Differences | 15 |
| PSY2206 | Methods and Statistics in Psychology II | 15 |
| PSY2303 | Cognition and Emotion | 15 |
| PSY2304 | Biological Basis of Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY2306 | Development Psychology and Psychopathology | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY S2 BSc-MSci Psy-App Psy opt 2021/2 | ||
| PSY2209 | Cognition Practical I | 15 |
| PSY2210 | Social Practical I | 15 |
| PSY2212 | Cognition Practical II | 15 |
| PSY2213 | Social Practical II | 15 |
| PSY2214 | Observations and Experiments in Animal Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY2216 | Qualitative Methods and Interview Skills | 15 |
| PSY2217 | Wild Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY2218 | Social Practical III | 15 |
The emphasis in your third year is on clinical research and practice. You will undertake a clinical research project within the Mood Disorders Centre where you will see leading research in action. Your project will be supported by staff recognised internationally for their excellence in mood disorders research which seeks to translate research into clinical treatments.
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
b You must choose three 15-credit seminar modules in the series starting PSY3410. Seminars are arranged into three groups: Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. The groupings may vary slightly from one year to the next and so prospective students should contact Psychology before making any firm decisions. You must take one seminar from each group and the three seminars cannot all be taken in the same term.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY3401 | Psychology Research Project | 45 |
| PSY3402 | Methods and Statistics in Psychology III | 15 |
| PSY3403 | Contemporary Issues in Psychology | 15 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY SF BSc-BA Psy S3 MSci Psy App - Group 1 2021/2 [See note b above] | ||
| PSY3411 | Psychology and Law | 15 |
| PSY3412 | The Psychology of Gender | 15 |
| PSY3416 | Work and Organisational Psychology | 15 |
| PSY3432 | The Moral Mind | 15 |
| PSY3443 | The Social Psychology of Ageing and Ageism | 15 |
| PSY3424 | Applied Social Psychology: Health, Environment and Society | 15 |
| PSY3439 | Social Exclusion and Inclusion in Childhood and Adolescence | 15 |
| PSY3447 | Solitude and Social Withdrawal across the Lifespan | 15 |
| PSY3452 | Social and Affective Neuroscience | 15 |
| PSY3458 | The Psychology of Inequality, Conflict and Social Change | 15 |
| LAW3169 | Equality and Diversity at Work | 15 |
| PSY3464 | The Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations | 15 |
| PSY3463 | Violence against Women and Girls: Causes, Consequences and Interventions | 15 |
| PSY SF BSc-BA Psy S3 MSci App Psy - Group 2 2021/2 [See note b above] | ||
| PSY3417 | The Associative Mind | 15 |
| PSY3418 | Processes of Human Memory | 15 |
| PSY3419 | Studying Cognition and Emotion with Brain Imaging | 15 |
| PSY3420 | Brain Plasticity and Language Learning across the Lifespan | 15 |
| PSY3427 | Compulsive Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY3431 | Comparative Approaches in the Study of Brain and Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY3437 | The Psychology of Addiction | 15 |
| PSY3444 | Foundations of Human Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY3445 | Mechanisms of Face Recognition | 15 |
| PSY3436 | Neuropsychology of Ageing and Dementia | 15 |
| PSY3449 | The Evolution of Social Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY3450 | Philosophy of Mind | 15 |
| PSY3461 | Neuroscience of Cognition and Behaviour | 15 |
| PSY S3 MSci App Psy - Group 3 2021/2 [See note b above] | ||
| PSY3425 | Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to Mood Disorders | 15 |
| PSY3426 | Parental Psychiatric Disorders and Children's Development | 15 |
| PSY3446 | Prevention Science in Developmental Psychopathology | 15 |
| PSY3448 | Sleep and Psychology | 15 |
| PSY3451 | Clinical Neuroscience: Brains, Drugs and Psychiatry | 15 |
| PSY3454 | Lifecourse Influences on Behaviour and Cognition | 15 |
| PSY3455 | Environmental Psychology | 15 |
| PSY3456 | Cognitive Biases in Emotion and Psychopathology | 15 |
| PSY3460 | Health Neuroscience | 15 |
| PSY3457 | The Psychology of Play | 15 |
| PSY3462 | Women's Reproductive Mental Health | 15 |
| NEU3003 | Psychology Applied to Health | 15 |
The fourth (PWP) year of the programme provides a thorough grounding in the theory, evidence base and clinical practice of low intensity psychological therapy for anxiety and depression. You will undertake your clinical internship in this year.
A patient-centred approach develops your competencies in core patient-centred interviewing and assessment skills, case management, and delivering a range of low-intensity interventions including behavioural activation, exposure, cognitive restructuring, sleep management, problem solving alongside support for medication taking.
We liaise with you throughout the placement to ensure you are appropriately supported and maximise your learning opportunities. You are not expected to set up the clinical placement; this will be organised by the department using established contacts.
Please note: due to the clinical nature of this course, the final year is longer than the standard university terms. The end date of your final year of study will be 31 August.
120 credits of compulsory modules
c PYCM141, PYCM096, PYCM103 and PYCM142 are non-condonable compulsory stage 4 modules that must be passed to gain registration as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with the British Psychological Society. Additionally, each individual component of PYCM141, PYCM096, PYCM103 and PYCM142 must be passed: the academic assignments must be passed at 50%; the pass/fail clinical competency assessments must be passed at 50% in line with the competency rating scale used in the national curriculum. In line with the national curriculum these modules have a 100% attendance requirement. Should your attendance fall below that level you will be contacted and an action plan put into place. Should your attendance fall below 80% on any individual module specified above, you will not be able to pass the module and you will be required to repeat the module or at your request, you may be awarded a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM141 | Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems [See note c above] | 20 |
| PYCM096 | Evidence-based Low Intensity Treatments for Common Mental Health Problems [See note c above] | 20 |
| PYCM103 | Values, Diversity and Context [See note c above] | 20 |
| PYCM142 | NHS Talking Therapies Applied Clinical Practice [See note c above] | 60 |
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £30,900 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Clinical research placement
In the final year of the programme you will undertake a clinical research placement which will allow you to put your knowledge into practice. As a student of the programme you will benefit from being part of a professional, research-led culture and environment, learning from experts in the field. The placement provides you with the opportunity to further your experience through internships in a range of clinical settings, learning with professionals who specialise in delivering treatments for depression and anxiety.
During this module you will work alongside Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners within a local NHS community or voluntary sector mental health service provider and apply the clinical skills you have developed during your programme. Clinical and case management supervision will be provided to help enhance the skills you have learnt.
One of the main reasons I chose the University of Exeter was the course. Not only is it an undergraduate Master’s degree, but it also incorporates work placements and allows me to get professional accreditation as a PWP.
While there are other universities that offer similar courses, none in my opinion were as welcoming or friendly as Exeter, nor based on such a beautiful campus.
The aspect I enjoy most about the programme is that I’m in control of my own education. With a range of resources open to me and engaging lecturers, I can strike the balance of independent study and being taught. I think that my biggest highlight so far would have to be the hands-on experience in practical classes. One in particular that stands out was looking at MRI scans and identifying areas of the brain, which was both fascinating and rewarding.
Christopher
Studying MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
You will be taught through a range of methods including:
- Lectures and seminars
- Problem-based learning: where you study within groups applying new knowledge to a number of clinically relevant scenarios
- Facilitated small group role play and skills modelling to help you learn the required clinical competencies
- Self-practice and self-reflection exercises in which you are supported to provide reflections on clinical interventions, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Group clinical skills supervision sessions
- Clinical research internships with academics within the Mood Disorders Centre to develop your research skills and further increase employability;
- Clinical training placement
All learning is supported by an e-learning hub.
Contact hours vary between a minimum of 12 hours per week on the more academic modules, to a maximum of 35 hours per week on the competency-based modules. Clinical competency modules tend to have high contact hours to ensure that the relevant skills can be learnt through role play and modelling under the direction of the teaching staff. In addition, the Clinical Practice Placement entails high levels of contact time and study hours.
Learn from experts
You will be taught by expert research- and clinically-active staff who are undertaking relevant research of national and international quality; this feeds directly into the programme ensuring teaching is up to date.
You will benefit from:
- A stimulating research culture at the cutting edge of translational science;
- Access to specialist clinical trainers with published educational research in the latest clinical training techniques;
- Extensive clinical research, training and service delivery experience from our Mood Disorders Centre and Clinical Education Development (CEDAR)
- Close links with mental health service providers in the region and the Medical School.
Continued professional development
During your first year you will develop a Personal and Professional Development (PPD) portfolio which will be maintained throughout your degree with support from your personal tutor. Upon graduation, this portfolio will demonstrate your academic and clinical development and will be helpful in increasing your employability. It will also support your continued professional development, as well as your application for accreditation as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP).
Assessment
You will be assessed in a number of ways including:
- Exams
- Essays
- Digitally recorded role play competency assessments
- Patient scenario presentations
- Case studies
- Patient work within the clinical practice placement portfolio
- A clinically-focused research dissertation
Assessment methods will vary depending on your choice of optional module; check individual module descriptions for details.
You must pass your first year assessment in order to progress to the second year, but these results won’t count towards your degree classification. The assessments in the second, third and final years all contribute to your final degree classification.
Academic support
Throughout your degree programme you will be supported by a Personal Tutor with whom you will meet regularly. Your Personal Tutor is there to help with any academic or personal problems that you may have. Other members of teaching staff either maintain an open-door policy or have regular office hours during which you can consult them.
Facilities
Our specialist facilities include:
- The Mood Disorders Centre – a partnership with the NHS
- Labs for studying animal learning, cognition and evolution
- Labs for interviewing brain-damaged and depressed patients
- Labs for studying cognitive and social psychology
- Equipment for measuring eye movement and brain activity.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Law (Penryn Campus only)
- Leadership
- Management
- Social Data Science
The course opened up so many opportunities for me - I worked as a PWP, a Senior PWP managing a small team, and am now completing my IAPT High Intensity CBT training. I could never have developed my career so quickly without doing this course.
Sophie
MSc Applied Psychology (Clinical)
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Our MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) programme provides the basic training requirements towards employment as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). This is a dual-accredited programme, so upon graduation students can apply for registration with the British Psychological Society or British Association of Behavioural Cognitive Psychotherapies.
As well as providing a platform for becoming a PWP, the programme will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. The programme will develop both your subject-specific and clinical competencies, and also your skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving, data analysis and manipulation, teamwork, organisation, project management and independent learning.
Supporting your career in Psychology
Psychology students are able to access a huge range of opportunities when considering their future career options. A range of employability sessions are put on for our students such as: career talks with visiting alumni and employers from a range of backgrounds, career conversation events with key employers, an annual ‘Your Future in Psychology’ event and a ‘Careers in Healthcare’ event hosted by diverse organisations. Support is provided to access high-quality work placements through an optional Career Development module.
Careers services
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and our students and graduates compete very successfully in the employment market. Whatever path you wish to follow, we’re here to help and support you with all your career and employability needs.
Recent graduates
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates from our Psychology undergraduate programmes*.
- Therapy professionals
- Project support officers
- Teaching professionals
- Data analysts
- Marketing associate professionals
- Business and related research professionals
- Financial accounts managers
- Police officers
- Taxation experts
- Programmers and software development professionals
Recent graduates are now working for:
- Avon and Somerset Police
- BBC
- Hays Recruitment
- Ipsos MORI
- KPMG
- NHS
- The Francis Crick Institute
- Victim Support
- VitaMinds
- YouGov
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a Psychology undergraduate degree. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of undergraduate programmes*.
- MA Conflict, Security and Development
- MSc Applied Data Science and Statistics
- MSc Cognitive Neuroscience
- MSc Developmental Psychology
- MSc Forensic Mental Health
- MSc Global Mental Health
- MSc Human Resource Management
- MSc Psychological Research Methods
- PGCE Secondary Psychology
- PhD in Psychological Medicine
*This information has been taken from aggregating the responses from full-time, first degree, UK domiciled students who completed 2017/18 and 2018/19 Graduate Outcomes surveys. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
