Psychological Therapy in Primary Care (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements Applicants should hold an honours degree in Psychology (2:1 or above) conferring the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Alternatively, applicants should have successfully completed an MSc psychology conversion course at a level equivalent to a 2:1 and which confers Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Applicants for this course should be aware that they are also applying for employment with the NHS and therefore must be eligible for, and have appropriate personal qualities suited to, employment in the NHS. Recruitment will be jointly undertaken by senior academic staff and NHS staff. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. Application procedure You apply for this course via the University of Dundee. Visit the Dundee Psychological Therapy in Primary Care MSc page for further details and the application forms. English language requirements To see the English Language Requirements for this course please go to the University of Dundee Psychological Therapy in Primary Care MSc page . See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

The course has five taught modules and a sixth research module. The first three modules are supervised by the University of Dundee while the second three are supervised by the University of Stirling. All modules are core and there are no optional modules. Assessment, diagnosis and formulation Provides knowledge of the essential ingredients of collaborative therapeutic relationships and of the evidence linking the therapeutic alliance to treatment outcomes in Cognitive -behavioural Psychotherapy. Principles and methods of psychological therapy Provides knowledge of general factors implicated in onset, maintenance and restitution of common mental health disorders within a CBT framework. Common mental health disorders in primary care Provides the theoretical and clinical knowledge of the prevalence, aetiology, presentation, course and differential diagnosis of common mental health disorders in the context of the evidence base for the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural treatment for common mental health disorders presenting in primary care. Professional and ethical issues This module examines common ethical dilemmas which may affect psychologists in their therapeutic work. The module will emphasize the need to consider the consequences of the therapist’s actions in relation to ethical issues in: communication, informed consent, diversity, boundaries, competence and fitness to practice, confidentiality and organizing services/clinical governance, as well as how to avoid conflicts of interest and put client’s best interests first. Research, evaluation and outcome This module aims to strengthen your understanding of the methodological and statistical principles of psychological research and their relevance to evidence-based outcomes while helping you develop the ability to critically evaluate psychological research methodology and outcomes. Research dissertation This module gives the trainee the experience of conducting a clinically relevant research project in an NHS setting. This helps you to develop a clear understanding of what 'evidence based practice' is while engaging with relevant literature as early as possible in an attempt to answer a specified research question. Teaching You'll be taught through a mix of: lectures; clinical skills workshops utilising role play; talks by NHS-based clinicians; individual and group-based clinical supervision sessions; comprehensive online resources to support workshops. Regular contact between course team members and trainees is a feature of this course to support your daily clinical activities. Assessment You'll be assessed by: a systematic review/service related project of published evidence relating to a primary care mental health issues; two exams/assessments; three case reports of patients you have treated; three clinical placement-based assessments of your clinical competence. Classroom hours Students spend 12 months at the Universities of Stirling and Dundee. Clinical skills training is conducted both in supervised NHS placements and in face-to-face skills workshops at the universities. This training is supported by online learning material. You must attend one or other of the universities for four/five days per month for nine months of the year, in addition to a two-week period during January for face-to-face clinical skills training. Course director Dr Stephanie Chan , Course Director Key staff Course administrator Vicky Greene and Roxana Tudoran msc-ptpc@dundee.ac.uk MSc PTPC Postgraduate Office, Level 6, School of Medicine Ninewells Hospital Dundee DD1 9SY

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Applicants to this programme simultaneously apply for employment with the NHS and, if accepted, their tuition fees will be paid by NHS Education for Scotland. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

You will graduate with the clinical and professional skills needed to work in NHS Scotland as a Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP). Recent graduates have also gone on to work in other clinically related posts in the public sector across the UK. Accreditation by the BPS and BABCP has increased the acceptance of this qualification in other parts of the UK. In NHS Scotland, a trainee Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology is graded as a Band 6 role with a salary of £39,912 - £48,635. A Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP) typically falls within Band 7 and earns between £40,872 and £47,846 per year. Applicants for this course should be aware that they are also applying for employment with the NHS and therefore must be eligible for employment in the NHS. This includes having appropriate personal qualities suited to employment in the NHS. Recruitment will be jointly undertaken by senior academic staff and NHS staff.