University Calendar 2014/15
Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social and Human Sciences


PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
ARCHIVE 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
Academic Unit Psychology
Final Award D.Clin.Psych.
Programme(s) Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Last modified July 2014

Academic regulations for research degree programmes (without taught elements) are written and maintained by the University and can be found in Section V of the University Calendar.

1. Admissions
 
1.1 For admission to the programme, students:
  1. must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar;

  2. must satisfy the General Regulations for Research Degrees with a Major Taught Component;

  3. must satisfy the necessary programme requirements as set out in the programme specification (outlined below).

    1. Applicants must hold, or be strongly expected to attain, a 1st class honours or a 2:1. An applicant with a degree grade of 2:2 would be considered if they have successfully completed a relevant higher degree, for example, an academically demanding masters.

    2. Applicants must hold the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/BasicEntryAcademic.html) as defined by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

    3. Applicants must have relevant clinical or research experience, ideally in a healthcare or similar setting.

    4. Evidence of competence in Statistics and Research methods (currently a score/rating of 60% or equivalent as evidenced by Undergraduate Transcripts (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/ApplyHowUKIrish.html), or the attainment of a postgraduate qualification in research/statistics).

    5. If English is not an applicant's first language, they must be able to evidence a good standard of written and spoken English (http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/BasicInternationalEnglish.html): IELTS (or equivalent) entrance requirement is an overall score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each sub-score.

    6. Applicants from overseas would need to ensure that their degree gives them GBC, and that they would be entitled to work and reside in the UK without restriction.

    7. Applicants must satisfy the conditions for awarding NHS bursaries as detailed at http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/816.aspx. An ‘eligibility calculator’ can be found at https://apps.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/SBCalcs/ic/forms/Personal%20Eligibility%20Calculator/new.

    8. Applicants must obtain UK Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.
1.2 All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedure as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Enabling Services Office to assess their needs.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
2.1 The General Regulations for Research Degrees with a Major Taught Component apply to this programme. In addition:
2.2 Students for the Doctorate will be required to follow a three year training programme of supervised clinical experience, academic teaching and research leading to a doctoral degree, dated as from their registration. Year 1 is at Level 7 and Years 2 and 3 are at Level 8.
2.3 The programme to be followed shall be full-time.
2.4 Attendance at all taught and clinical sessions is compulsory.
2.5 All modules are core.
2.6 The programme is for clinical psychology trainees and meets the requirements for chartered status with BPS, and is approved for registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The curriculum is based on the standards of proficiency specified by the HCPC and the core competencies outlined by the BPS.

YEAR 1 FULL TIME (90 ECTS/180 CATS) Level 7

CORE
TEACHING ECTS/CATS
RESEARCH ECTS/CATS
TOTAL ECTS/CATS
PSYC Foundations of Clinical Psychology Practice
2.5/5
2.5/5
5/10
PSYC Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
7.5/15
2.5/5
10/20
PSYC Systemic therapy
2.5/5
  
2.5/5
PSYC Evidence-based practice  
2.5/5
2.5/5
PSYC Neuropsychology
2.5/5
2.5/5
5/10
PSYC Adapting clinical work for different populations
2.5/5
2.5/5
5/10
       
PSYC8013 Practitioner Training – Placement 1
12.5/25
7.5/15
20/40
PSYC8014 Practitioner Training Placement 2
12.5/25
7.5/15
20/40
RESM6009 ARM Qualitative Methods  
5/10
5/10
REM6010 ARM Group Comparisons  
5/10
5/10
RESM6011 ARM Correlational Methods  
5/10
5/10
RESM6012 ARM Designing Research  
5/10
5/10
       
COMPULSORY      
PSYC8021 Small Scale Research Project      
       
TOTAL CATS
42.5/85
47.5/95
90/180

Year 2 (90 ECTS/180 CATS) Level 8

CORE TEACHING ECTS/CATS RESEARCH ECTS/CATS TOTAL ECTS/CATS
PSYC 8010 Child and Adolescence (20 CATS) 7.5/15 2.5/5 10/20
PSYC8011 Learning Disability 7.5/15 2.5/5 10/20
PSYC Systemic therapy 2.5/5 2.5/5 5/10
       
PSYC8015 Practitioner Training Placement 3 15/30 5/10 20/40
PSYC8016 Practitioner Training Placement 4 15/30 5/10 20/40
       
PSYC8022 Dissertation Proposal and Thesis   20/40 20/40
       
COMPULSORY      
PSYC8021 Small Scale Research Projects (10 CATS R + 30 embedded in placement )   5/10 5/10
       
TOTAL CATS 47.5/95 42.5/85 90/180

Year 3 (90 ECTS/180 CATS) Level 8

CORE TEACHING ECTS/CATS RESEARCH ECTS/CATS TOTAL ECTS/CATS
PSYC Professional development and leadership 5/10   5/10
PSYC Specialist skills 5/10 2.5/5 7.5/15
PSYC Trans-diagnostic processes   2.5/5 2.5/5
       
PSYC8017 Practitioner Training Placement 5 30/60 5/10 40/70
PSYC8022 Research Thesis Dissertation   40/80 40/80
       
TOTAL 40/80 50/100 90/180

Total ECTS/CATS over whole programme = 270/540
Total teaching ECTS/CATS =130/260
Total research ECTS/CATS = 140/280
Total ECTS/CATS at level 7 = 90/180
Total ECTS/CATS at level 8 = 180/360
3. Progression
 
3.1 Entry to years 2 and 3 of the programme is normally contingent upon satisfactory academic and clinical performance in the previous year.
3.2 In order to progress formally from one year to the next, trainees are expected to have received a pass mark (50%) in every module.
3.3 Only one re-submission is normally allowed for any one piece of work. This will be within an agreed timescale.
3.4 A candidate receiving three fails must attend a Formal Review with the Programme Director.
3.5 The Board of Examiners will normally deem a candidate to have failed the programme on any part of the examination on one or more of the following grounds:
  1. Failure to complete successfully all parts of the examination within five years or first registration (allowing for suspensions) or by such a date as will have been agreed by the Board.

  2. Failure of two clinical practitioner placements.

  3. Up to four failures of assessed work during the programme may redeemed. A fifth failure (including clinical placements) will result in failure of the Programme.

  4. In exceptional circumstances, such as gross misconduct or a serious breach of the Code of Conduct of the British Psychological Society, or if a clinical placement is terminated or suspended after disciplinary action.
All circumstances of discontinuation will be discussed at the Board of Examiners where extenuating circumstances may be taken into account. Further information on University guidelines for appeals and complaints can be found at http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionIV/sectIV-index.html.

In cases where a student's behaviour, health and/or professional conduct raises concern, the procedures associated with the University's Fitness to Practice Policy will be invoked.


4. Assessment
 
4.1 The schedule of assessments will comprise of three parts, as specified in the programme specification, to cover:
Part One Assessment of Academic Competence
Part Two Assessment of Clinical Competence
Part Three Assessment of Research Competence including submission of a research thesis and viva voce examination.
4.2 All elements of Parts One, Two and Three shall normally be completed no later than the end of September of the third year of the programme.
4.3 A pass mark of 50% shall apply to each taught assessment.
4.4 Placements shall either be passed or failed.
4.5 The Doctorate is awarded following successful completion of all three parts (as set out in 4.1 above).


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
5.1 The final award is Doctor of Clinical Psychology.
5.2 The programme follows the General Regulations for Research Degrees with a Major Taught Component.
5.3 There is no exit or interim award.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
6.1 Candidates will be required to undertake placements in years 1, 2, and 3 as Trainee Clinical Psychologists. These placements are normally in the NHS, but may also be in voluntary and third-sector organisations.
6.2 All placements must meet BPS accreditation requirements in terms of duration and range of activities.


7. Other
 
7.1 For the purposes of these regulations, the University shall be deemed to include clinical institutions where the Psychology academic unit is satisfied that University staff can arrange proper supervision of clinical practice and research.
7.2 Students are required to satisfy the academic and the Attendance and Completion of Programme Requirements as set out in section IV of the University calendar, the programme specification and the programme handbook. Those failing to do so may have their course terminated (see University Calendar Section IV: Transfer, Suspension, Withdrawal and Termination.
7.3 These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.
7.4 Fitness to Practise: Students must satisfy the University's Fitness to Practise Policy and adhere to the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2010) and the BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 08-Aug-2014
© University of Southampton