MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)

Receive specialist clinical training and develop your scientific knowledge of psychology on our MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) course.

Please note, this course is now closed for 2026 applicants.

Choose MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Reading

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), making you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – a key step for those pursuing a career in psychology.
93% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, 71% of respondents from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).
99% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience) and 100% of our research impact has been classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience).

This course will qualify you for employment as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) within the National Health Service (NHS), and will provide you with a masters-level qualification. It combines elements of the University's BSc Psychology and the Postgraduate Certificate in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments run by the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute.

The degree is also an ideal stepping-stone for postgraduate studies in clinical psychology. 100% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, responders from MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)).

Placement

You will carry out your fourth year placement within an NHS Talking Therapies service. This will normally involve conducting assessments and interventions for mild to moderate anxiety and depression under the supervision of NHS staff. The placement is a direct extension of the practical work taught during course modules.

You may also decide to carry out placements during the second year of the course, or during vacations. These can take place at an outside organisation such as a charity, or with one of our in-house clinics. These include anxiety, speech and language therapy, and dementia. Alternatively, you can volunteer as a research assistant on a range of projects within the Department of Psychology.

Taught by passionate experts

We aim to provide you with the knowledge, skills, support, and opportunities to thrive in a global workplace.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn from academic staff who are passionate about teaching and are experts in their field.

What you'll learn

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification, including:

cognition
neuroscience
development
personality
social psychology.

You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during the second year.

In the third year of the course, you can develop your knowledge by exploring the areas that interest you most. The vast majority of modules in this year are optional and are regularly revised in order to incorporate the latest developments in psychology. Recent modules have included subjects such as:

autistic spectrum conditions
behavioural economics
nutritional psychology
cognitive behavioural theory and therapy.

During the fourth year you will receive specialist clinical training and carry out a placement within an NHS Talking Therapies service. This experience will link directly into practical modules, which are designed to develop your clinical skills around assessing and treating common mental health difficulties.

Throughout the course you will gain practical experience, and learn how to devise and run your own experiments. During the third year you will carry out an original piece of research on a topic of your choice. You may have the opportunity to present your work at conferences, and a number of past projects have won awards from the British Psychological Society and British Neuroscience Association.

Specialist facilities and clinics

The School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences’ facilities support research and learning, including eye-tracking and specialist equipment for electrophysiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Additionally, we have various on-site clinics:

our NHS-partnered Anxiety and Depression in Young People Clinic
the Speech and Language Therapy Clinic
the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for evidence-based psychological treatments.

Overview

Receive specialist clinical training and develop your scientific knowledge of psychology on our MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) course.

Please note, this course is now closed for 2026 applicants.

Choose MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Reading

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), making you eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – a key step for those pursuing a career in psychology.
93% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, 71% of respondents from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).
99% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience) and 100% of our research impact has been classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience).

Placement

Learning

Taught by passionate experts

We aim to provide you with the knowledge, skills, support, and opportunities to thrive in a global workplace.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn from academic staff who are passionate about teaching and are experts in their field.

What you'll learn

The first year of the course will introduce you to the concepts required for British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification, including:

cognition
neuroscience
development
personality
social psychology.

You will then cover these subjects in far greater depth during the second year.

autistic spectrum conditions
behavioural economics
nutritional psychology
cognitive behavioural theory and therapy.

Specialist facilities and clinics

Additionally, we have various on-site clinics:

our NHS-partnered Anxiety and Depression in Young People Clinic
the Speech and Language Therapy Clinic
the world-renowned Charlie Waller Institute for evidence-based psychological treatments.

Entry requirements A Level AAA

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

AAA

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall, including 4 in standard level English, Mathematics and Science

GCSE

English, Mathematics and Science at grade B (6)

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD

Additional requirements

Applicants will have sufficient relevant experience from working and/or volunteering in clinical practice, or the equivalent duration of time working in a setting that has provided transferable skills. These settings could include retail, hospitality, events, mentoring, or other settings that promote and develop skills in communication, problem-solving, reflection, managing difficult situations, and team-working. These transferable skills are in line with Health Education England's values-based recruitment.

Firm drop grade

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Applied and Professional Psychology

Explore how psychology can be applied in the real world, with broad consideration of professional values and ethics. You’ll gain knowledge on various areas of professional psychology, such as educational, occupational, health and forensic psychology and academia, research and teaching. You’ll develop professional skills and competencies that are required to become a psychologist.

Debates in Mental Health

Explore key current and historical issues in clinical psychology and develop your understanding of psychological disorders, their assessment and current evidence-based interventions.

Introduction to Psychological Research

Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods, and develop skills in planning, data gathering and dissemination stages of psychology-related research.

Learning about Learning

Develop an understanding of learning and memory and use this knowledge to reflect on their own learning. You’ll gain knowledge on the nature of learning and the theoretical models underpinning these processes.

The Person and the Brain

Build a broad understanding of psychology and its fundamental concepts and theories. You’ll gain knowledge on key principles of organisation of systems while covering topics such as neural and hormonal function, genetic contributions to behaviour, personality, and group dynamics.

Optional modules

Introduction to Neuroscience Methods

Discover the methods and scientific philosophy of modern human neuroscience. You’ll explore key concepts and applications such as human neuroimaging, brain stimulation, neuropsychology, psychophysics, psychophysiology, brain-body physiology, and scientific data visualisation.

Language in the Brain

Discover how the brain correlates with language acquisition and processing. You’ll examine the aspects of language including comprehension (reading and listening) and production (spoken and written) as well as development language disorders and the methods employed in the study of the neuroscience of language.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2025/26 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Develop an understanding of biopsychology and cognition, perception and neuroscience through the study of topics such as attention and consciousness, object and face recognition, multisensory integration, pain, and cognitive control.

Development Across the Lifespan

Discover how individuals change and develop from the neonatal period, throughout childhood, into adolescence and old age. Explore theories and research in typical and neurodivergent development and enhance your knowledge about observational methods.

Introduction to CBT

Study Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and learn the importance of evidence-based psychological interventions. You’ll focus on a range of common psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and learn the therapeutic tools for treating them. As you study, you’ll rely on contemporary evidence and learn the key stages of CBT including assessment, formulation, and endings.

Research Methods in Psychology

Extend your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods in psychology, examine methods of conducting and analysing quantitative and qualitative research, and enhance your data analysis and critical evaluation skills.

Social Psychology and Individual Differences

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the complex interplay between social psychology, typical social phenomena and individual differences.

Optional modules

Behaviour Change

Explore the principles of behaviour change and gain an understanding of the research methods used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. You’ll learn how to apply evidence-based frameworks to a wide range of practical problems.

Scientific Computing for Psychologists

Develop your knowledge of scientific computation for data analysis and visualisation. You’ll explore examples and problems drawn from neuroscience, psychology, psychophysics and neuroimaging and gain key programming skills.

Students wishing to select this module must have taken Introduction to Neuroscience Methods in Year 1.

Compulsory modules

Project

Conduct an independent piece of original research that involves literature review, planning, ethical considerations, data collection, data analysis, and a final written project report.

Communicating Current Psychology

Explore issues of current theoretical, ethical and practical importance to psychology and learn to disseminate information about these issues to wider audiences.

Optional modules

Psychology of Health and Wellbeing

Study psychological theories to understand key topics in health psychology. You’ll consider them in relation to different developmental stages such as food preferences in children, sleep among adolescents, stress in adults and chronic illness in older adults. You’ll develop practical skills as you apply scientific theory and prepare for further study.

Clinical Neuroscience

Discover and understand diverse methodologies, dissect, criticise and propose empirical research, and navigate the challenges in studying clinical populations. You'll not only uncover the secrets of atypical human functioning but also develop practical insights and research skills essential for addressing real-world clinical challenges.

Emotion and Motivation

Enhance your understanding of the science of emotion and motivation as you study historical perspectives and current theory related to topics such as emotional expression and regulation, brain-body interaction, and behaviour change. You’ll learn by engaging with conceptual and historical issues, social and biological psychology, individual differences and key research methods of the past and present.

The Psychology of Pain and Ill Health

Explore how pain is changed by emotions, motivations, thoughts, and social factors. You’ll also learn how important psychology is for the development of chronic pain, and how living with pain can lead to depression and anxiety.

Neurodegeneration: Theory and Practice

Draw on current and past research to understand theoretical models and brain mechanisms implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, which affect up to one billion people worldwide.

Developmental Psychopathology

Learn about the interplay between the child as an active agent and the environment as sources of risk or resilience for psychopathology. You will be able to evaluate the strengths and limitations of different study designs for investigating developmental processes in psychopathology.

Forensic Psychology: Applying Theory and Practice

Evaluate explanations of offending behaviour by understanding the role of psychological factors, such as psychiatric disorders, and the use of methods for analysing offender characteristics, such as offender profiling.

Computation and Modelling in Psychology

Use the programming language R and its integrated development environment RStudio for performing advanced statistics, data analysis, and computational modelling in psychology.

Nutrition, Cognition and Mental Health

Explore the effects of nutritional compounds and metabolic processes on cognitive function and mood. You’ll evaluate the existing literature across a number of populations including adults, children and Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, and will explore the neuroscientific and physiological underpinnings of nutritional and metabolic effects on the brain.

Neurodevelopmental Differences

Explore the experiences of neurodivergent individuals and the theoretical and practical implications of neurodevelopmental differences. Topics may include sensory processing, speech and language, music, and emotion processing across different neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD.

Psychology of (In)Equity

Gain a fundamental understanding of the psychology of equity and inequity. You’ll consider examples of inequity, prejudice and discrimination within society and psychological research, and the consequences of each. You’ll explore some mechanisms behind the occurrence of inequity, and examine ways in which the status quo can be challenged in the pursuit of greater social justice.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2025/26 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

(all modules are compulsory in Year 4 as you will be training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to work in the NHS)

Engagement and Assessment of Common Mental Health Problems

For students training as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), this module will equip you with a solid understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidence-based treatment choices. You'll develop core competencies of active listening, alliance building, and working with client-centred information to understand how to support people with the management of common mental health problems.

Evidence-Based Low-Intensity Treatment of Common Mental Health Problems

Develop an understanding of the process of therapeutic support and the management of individuals and groups of clients including, where appropriate, friends, families, and carers. You'll develop general and disorder-defined ‘specific factor’ competencies in the delivery of low-intensity treatments and self-help interventions that are informed by cognitive behaviour principles.

Values, Employment and Context

For students training as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), this module will equip you with an understanding of the complexities of people’s health, social and occupational needs as well as the services that can support them. You'll develop decision-making abilities, clinical management and liaison in the delivery of support of patients, particularly where people require intervention.

Placement

Year 4 also includes a year-long placement in an NHS Talking Therapies service where you will be putting into practice the skills developed through teaching at the university. This will include assessing and treating people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression under the supervision of clinical staff.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The home tuition fee for 2026 entry is £9,790. The home tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study.

New international students: £30,650 for 2026/27. The international tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

This exciting new undergraduate scholarship scheme is focused on creating a community of global sustainability leaders of the future. We are offering up to 400 scholarships per year, for high-achieving students from the UK and overseas.

Each scholar will receive £6,000 a year for maintenance and living costs, for up to four years of full-time study on their course (subject to terms and conditions).

Find out more about the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship scheme.

Careers

As a graduate of this course you will be able to work as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) within the NHS. PWPs work with clients who have mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders, and carry out short evidence-based interventions using a variety of techniques. The role was set up to improve access to psychological therapies.

Additionally, this MSci is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and provides you with the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is the first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

This course will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including analytical qualitative abilities, writing experience, presentation skills and the ability to think and analyse scientifically.

You could go on to work for organisations such as the NHS, the Civil Service, schools or charities. Skills learned on the course also open up many doors within the private sector, in areas such as HR, recruitment, management consultancy, publicity, finance and journalism.

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

At the University of Reading, we help you turn your environmental and sustainability values into opportunities that make a difference to your career and the wider world.

Employers are already reshaping their businesses to respond to climate change, and they increasingly value graduates with expertise in environmental stewardship – one of the fastest-growing skill areas (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025).

During your time at Reading, you’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities and support. This will help you graduate with the knowledge and confidence to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges in your career.

In 2025, the University of Reading won the AGCAS Green Careers Award. Judges highlighted the impact of our Careers service and the positive outcomes our students achieve.

Explore climate and sustainability initiatives you can get involved with as a student at Reading.

MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical)

Choose MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Reading

Placement

Taught by passionate experts

What you'll learn

Specialist facilities and clinics

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

Ready for more?