Clinical and Health Psychology PhD, MScR
Awards: PhD, MScR
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
The PhD and MSc by Research in Clinical Psychology offer the chance to work with, and be supervised by, a range of clinical academics across many areas of psychology.
Candidates should note that these programmes do not lead to Chartered Clinical Psychologist status.
Our research involves national and international collaborations, with many projects involving NHS partnerships.
Our research interests include:
- mindfulness and third wave approaches
- eating behaviours and disorders
- psychosis and complex mental health
- risk and resilience in children and adolescents
- psychological treatments
- violent behaviour
- sexual offending
You can find out more about MScR and PhD programme options, including supervision information, on the School of Health in Social Science's website:
We have an active research group in the area of applied developmental psychology and psychological therapies research for severe mental health issues. A large number of the clinical psychology team and our students are part of the Centre for Applied Developmental Psychology, specialising in research that aims to promote the wellbeing of young people and aid recovery in those with mental health problems.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 3 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 6 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
The PhD and MSc by Research programmes allow you to conduct an independent research project that makes a significant contribution to your chosen field of study and to further develop your research skills. We provide expertise in a variety of research methods including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
You will be assigned two supervisors (usually one for MSc by Research) and you will meet with your supervisors regularly. Workshops, seminars and courses in research methods are available to postgraduate students undertaking a higher degree by research.
We work in close collaboration with the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, enabling School of Health in Social Science research students to benefit from the extensive suite of social science research courses offered by both Schools.
With close ties with other humanities disciplines and with colleagues in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, we offer PhD students excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary supervision and research project development.
The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in the same areas as our on-campus programmes: Clinical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Health in Social Science and Nursing Studies.
The programme allows students who are unable to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh full time to study for a PhD in a field of Health in Social Science from their home country or city - however this is not intended to be a fully online distance learning programme.
Students enrolled on this programme will be expected to come to Edinburgh at least once per year of study to meet with their supervisors. The length and timing of these visits are negotiable but students should expect to spend at least two weeks at the University of Edinburgh during each year of study.
For further information on the programme (including entry requirements and how to apply) please see the school website:
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
For MScR: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject area.
For PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree and a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents, in a relevant subject area. We may also consider your application if you do not have a masters degree, but have other relevant research experience.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
PhD | Clinical Psychology | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
PhD | Clinical Psychology by Distance | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
PhD | Clinical Psychology by Distance | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
MScR | Clinical Psychology | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
- [Postgraduate research scholarships and funding] (https://www.ed.ac.uk/health/subject-areas/postgraduate-research/scholarships)
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5144
- Contact: PGRAdmissions.Health@ed.ac.uk
- School of Health in Social Science
- Medical School
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- School: Health in Social Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Clinical Psychology - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Clinical Psychology - 6 Years (Part-time)
PhD by Distance in Clinical Psychology - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD by Distance in Clinical Psychology - 6 Years (Part-time)
MSc by Research Clinical Psychology - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc by Research Clinical Psychology - 2 Years (Part-time)
The School of Health in Social Science operates a gathered field approach to PGR applications - this means that all complete applications which satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and an admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date.
The application deadlines and dates for decision are listed. In order to ensure full consideration of your application we ask that you submit your complete application including all supporting documentation by these dates. More information about what will be considered a complete application and how to apply can be found on our School website:
Applicants planning to apply for the University of Edinburgh's funding opportunities must apply by the first deadline.
Round | Application deadline | Places awarded |
---|---|---|
1 | 11 November 2024 | mid-January |
2 | 21 April 2025 | mid-June |
You must submit two references with your application.
To apply for this programme you must submit the following:
- a completed research proposal form
- 2 references
- the online application form, completed via the ‘Apply’ section above
For guidance on completing the research proposal form, please see the research proposal guidance document provided by the School of Health in Social Science:
Before submitting the application, we strongly recommend that you discuss a draft version of your research proposal form with your proposed supervisor and/or with the Programme Director. Please indicate your proposed supervisor when submitting your application. Please read the ‘Discuss and develop your idea’ section in the research proposal guidance document for more information.
Your reference must be specific to your application, on headed paper, signed by the referee, and dated within the last 6 months. Your reference can be uploaded directly by your referee, or you can upload it yourself.
We must receive all the information before the deadline for your application to be considered.
If your online application is not ‘complete’ by the application deadline it will be rejected. If this happens, you can submit another application for a later application deadline.
After you apply, we will evaluate your application. If we are able to progress your application beyond the online stage, you will be invited to participate in an interview with your prospective first supervisor.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Research Admissions Administrator
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5144
- Contact: PGRAdmissions.Health@ed.ac.uk
- School of Health in Social Science
- Medical School
- Teviot Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AG
- School: Health in Social Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences