PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma) Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology
- PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma)
Overview
Professional programmes in Clinical Neuropsychology have been offered at the University of Bristol since 2010. The programmes are delivered in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust. Our clinical programmes aim to engage and inspire clinicians to enhance their skills in Clinical Neuropsychology and support entry on to the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN). This diploma is designed to support the adult knowledge and practice component of the competency requirements for advanced training in clinical neuropsychology.
This diploma is similar to our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology but it allows you to bring forward learning and case experience from your DClin in order to streamline and accelerate the postdoctoral training required to enter the SRCN. To be eligible to apply to this degree, you must be studying a DClin at a UK University which has a collaborative agreement with the University of Bristol. You can find a list of collaborating institutions on our website (scroll to the bottom of that web page).
Around 80% of the taught content is delivered by practising clinicians. You will learn about a range of neuropsychological disorders and pathologies as well as focusing on principles of assessment, formulation and rehabilitation.
In order to accrue relevant clinical experience, it is your responsibility to secure paid employment within a neuropsychology service during your enrolment on the certificate. It is also your responsibility to secure supervision for your work when enrolled on the course. However, we provide additional oversight and support towards developing your case portfolio and ensuring your clinical experience demonstrates the required competencies for entry to the SRCN. This support is provided by clinicians on the SRCN and offers opportunities for feedback on case reports, including a practice viva experience.
Those interested in applying to this programme may wish to discuss the process with their DClin team and also find out more about how to apply.
This programme is largely online and can be taken from home or work. Please see the Neuropsychology programme web page for more information.
Our courses delivering the practice component require evidence of research competencies meeting standards and requirements for entry to the SRCN. Thus the gap between completion of DClin and this degree must normally be less than 8 years, and anyone considering a significant deferral should contact us to discuss.
Programme structure
The programme consists of four taught units and a Clinical Practice Portfolio.
- Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology covers a range of issues frequently encountered in clinical neuropsychology. For example, pain and cognition, PTSD, performance validity testing and functional neurological disorders.
- Theoretical Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Methods covers theories of brain function (for example, emotion and cognition, language, ageing). This unit also delivers a thorough grounding in neuroanatomy and neuroscience methods.
- Neurorehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Approaches within Clinical Psychology considers a range of rehabilitation techniques and places these in the context of the recovery journey. This unit also considers the interface between clinical neuropsychology and allied disciplines (such as neurosurgery, clinical imaging).
- Evidence Based Neuropsychology (EBN) and Case Study. The EBN component involves critical reviews of peer reviewed papers, and the Case Study component requires each student to review a clinical case in detail.
The Clinical Practice Portfolio meets the Practice Component requirements for entry to the SRCN. It includes six case reports. At least one case report (max of two) formally undertaken within the DClin can be used in the Practice Component submission (if sufficiently neuropsychological).
Please visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our Postgraduate Diploma in Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology.
Entry requirements
You will typically need to be registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will typically be studying or have studied on an approved degree from one of our collaborating institutions (for the list of collaborating DClin programmes please see the School of Psychological Sciences website). If you have not studied at a collaborating institution but have completed the MSc Neuropsychology programme at the University of Bristol (discontinued in 2014) you will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
In order to meet BPS accreditation requirements, you must pass an online entrance assessment set by the University of Bristol and must also submit a 2,000-word essay (on a prescribed topic), which must also be passed. The pass mark for the online assessment and essay is 50 per cent. The combined mark determines whether a candidate has passed the entrance requirements, with the essay weighted 34% and the online assessment 66% of the final mark. Applicants must be able to provide evidence of a minimum of six months' practice experience plus at least one case report (maximum of two) formally undertaken within the prior training programme of our collaborating institution. Please note: the first stage of application is to submit an Expression of Interest form to the School at [email protected].
You must submit all required documents as detailed in the programmes Admissions Statement to be considered for review.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £13,900 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £6,950 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £22,100 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Funding and scholarships
Please note that NHS England now provide significant amounts of funding to support costs of training in clinical neuropsychology. This funding can support both knowledge component and practice component requirements for entry to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).
The process of allocating and distributing funding to Trusts will be led primarily by NHS England regional colleagues and supported by Psychological Professions Networks. You are strongly encouraged to explore potential sources of funding as NHS England is doubling the number of funded places in 2024-25 versus the previous year.
For further information on other potential sources of funding please check the University of Bristol website which includes an online funding search tool.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme is for those who wish to gain and demonstrate the UK's highest level of competence in professional clinical neuropsychology. It is designed to provide both the knowledge and practice competencies required for entry on to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- [email protected]