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Doctor of Psychological Science

Assessment is through mandatory coursework, and evaluation of clinical competence on supervised clinical placements. Mandatory coursework requirements involve: three essays; four Reports of Clinical Activity; two Small Service-Related Research Projects (a Systematic Review may be substituted in place of the second SSRP); one Major Research Project (comprising a Major Research Thesis and a Journal Article). In addition to assessed coursework, trainees are required to satisfactorily complete four supervised clinical placements over the duration of the programme. All required placements must be passed in order for the candidate to be deemed to have passed overall.

The thesis is the subject of oral examination by the External and Internal Examiners at the end of the programme.

Professional Practice

Clinical competence is developed over a minimum of four placements spanning the three years of the programme. The placements provide trainees with experience of clinical practice under the supervision of suitably qualified professional psychologists. All trainees are required to complete placements in mental health settings working with both child and adult clients, and in services for people with learning disability. Other placements include services for older adults, services for people with an acquired brain injury, prison and forensic mental health services, and specialist medical units in general hospitals.

Career Opportunities

Excellent career opportunities exist for professionally qualified clinical psychologists in a wide variety of health and social care settings. Opportunities may also be found in research, consultancy and higher education settings.

Admission And Selection

Candidates for the DPsychSc (Clinical) programme are selected through a competitive process in line with normal University admission procedures and in close collaboration with key stakeholders within the HSE and other agencies.

Applicants must have the equivalent of an honours degree in psychology recognised by The Psychological Society of Ireland that confers eligibility for Graduate Membership of The Psychological Society of Ireland. The qualification must be at least upper second-class honours level. On an exceptional basis, candidates with a lower second-class honours level degree may be considered. Successful applicants are likely to have a combination of strong academic ability, relevant clinical or health related experience, and personal suitability for a career in clinical psychology. At least one year of practical and/or research experience relevant to clinical psychology is generally required. Successful applicants are expected to have a means of transport to enable them to participate in all elements of the programme, including undertaking supervised clinical placements in health settings.

Please take note that clinical placements are secured by the programme throughout the HSE organisation and through affiliated agencies and social care providers (e.g. Brothers of Charity Services). There is no guarantee that placements will be provided within convenient commuting distance to University of Galway and there is no obligation on the programme to secure placements close to where you live. If you cannot tolerate some uncertainty with regard to placement location then this programme may not be the best option for you.

The Programme selects candidates on open competition principles. A joint selection process based on shortlist and interview operates between the University of Galway, the University of Limerick and University College Cork. Although a joint selection process is in operation, applicants must apply separately to each course for which they wish to be considered. University of Galway applicants are required to submit their application forms through the CRM Recruit portal (see link below). The recruitment process will be conducted in partnership with the HSE.

It is very important that applicants complete all required sections and provided all necessary documentation. Failure to do so will invalidate your application. Shortlisted applicants are invited to participate in the selection process which involves various components including a group exercise and a panel interview. Selection procedures may vary from year to year and may be conducted online if necessary. Academic and clinical references are carefully considered.

The Programme hosts an online Open Event in November for intending applicants where queries regarding the Programme and the selection process can be directed to the Programme Staff in attendance. Details of the Open Event are provided below.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

To progress this objective, we are carrying out a study in collaboration with all clinical psychology training courses in Ireland to profile the demographics of current trainees and applicants to clinical psychology programmes. This will help us determine the diversity of current clinical psychology trainees and future applicants in order to determine whether interventions to increase diversity are required and if they are effective.

We invite all applicants to our Doctorate in Clinical Psychology 2026 to complete the following anonymous survey, which cannot be linked in any way to your application. It only needs to be completed once, even if you are applying for several courses.

https://ucdpsychology.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpbDvyetOIQerPg

Information for 2026 Intake

Applications for the above programme should be submitted by clicking here where further information is available to prospective applicants.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm on Friday the 9^th January 2026.

Please be advised that interviews for the next intake of the DPsychSc (Clinical) Programme have been provisionally scheduled to take place during March 2026.

Please find further information on Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology by downloading the information pack here:

Open Evening Information November 2025