MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology

The MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology at Bournemouth University gives students a patient-centred education in clinical disorders and therapy, combined with rigorous research training. It’s suited for psychology graduates aiming to build a strong foundation before applying for clinical training or roles in mental health research or practice. 

Curriculum Structure:
During this one-year programme, students study core units like Advanced Research Methods and Advanced Statistics to master the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical research.  They also learn about Psychological Therapy, where they explore a range of therapeutic models, and Roots & Range of Psychological Disorders, which considers the origins, presentation, and treatment of many clinical conditions. A key part of the programme is the MSc Dissertation, in which students conduct independent research on a topic of their choice, often aligned with clinical practice.

Focus areas:
“clinical disorders; therapeutic interventions; advanced research methodology; statistical analysis; independent clinical research”

Learning outcomes:
“develop a deep understanding of clinical psychopathology, apply evidence-based therapy models, design and analyse empirical research, and produce a high-quality dissertation relevant to clinical psychology.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This MSc is academically rigorous but does not itself qualify you to become a registered clinical psychologist—further accredited training (such as a doctoral-level qualification) is required. 

Reputation (employability rankings):
Bournemouth’s clinical psychology MSc is well respected for producing graduates who go on to roles in the NHS, research, or further clinical training.