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During this programme, you will:  

• Develop advanced clinical skills through supervised placements across diverse settings in the HSE and its associated partners.  

• Engage in research projects that contribute to the evidence base of clinical psychology. 

• Participate in personal and professional development activities to enhance your practice, self-awareness and resilience. 

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive mental health care. 

Key Information:   

• Complete full-time over three years. 

• Blended delivery - combines on–campus learning with extensive clinical practice*, applied research and professional development activities. 

• Modules are taught during the autumn and spring semesters, allowing you to integrate your learning through clinical placements. 

• Includes supervised professional practice, ensuring you develop both theoretical knowledge and real-world expertise. 

• Benefit from dedicated support for Personal and Professional Development, along with advanced training in clinical research, culminating in a doctoral research thesis at the end of Year 3. 

• Graduate with a Level 10 Doctorate qualification in Clinical Psychology. 

You will learn through a blend of: 

• Lectures, workshops, seminars and experiential learning 

• Reflective practice, case discussions and supervised research 

• *Clinical placements 

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers through group work and assessments 

*Clinical placements form part of the three-year programme. Most placements will take place in the Limerick/Clare/Tipperary area. However, they may be located anywhere in the Republic of Ireland. Students must be available and able to travel to placements nationally. 

Year 1 
Autumn Semester 

• Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology will explore psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents. 

• Research Methods will develop your skills in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in clinical psychology. 

Spring Semester 

• Adult Clinical Psychology will teach diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for working with adults in clinical settings. 

• Lifespan Disability Theory will examine psychological approaches to working with individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. 

Year 2
Autumn Semester 

• Working with Older Adults will focus on mental health challenges and psychological interventions for older populations. 

• Clinical Neuropsychology will develop your expertise in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with neurological conditions. 

Spring Semester 

• Personal Development 1 will enhance your reflective practice, supervision, and professional ethics training.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Projects will support you in conducting independent research that contributes to clinical psychology knowledge. 

Year 3 
Autumn Semester 

• Specialist/Elective Placement will allow you to gain experience in a specialised area of clinical psychology in a healthcare setting. 

• Doctoral Research Dissertation will support you to undertake advanced research project aligned with professional practice. 

Spring Semester 

• Advanced Clinical Practice will teach you how to apply your clinical skills in complex case management and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

• Leadership in Clinical Settings will develop your leadership and supervision skills for clinical practice and service development. 

As a Level 10 student, much of your learning is self-directed whilst remaining under supervision. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in Psychology or a postgraduate diploma in Psychology, recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as conferring eligibility for graduate membership. 

• Applicants with a 2:2 bachelor’s degree in Psychology will be considered if they have been awarded a recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychology at Master’s level (NFQ Level 9) or higher. 

• If your primary degree in psychology is from outside Ireland or the UK, you must supply proof or recognition of your degree by the PSI at the time of application. 

• Applicants must be eligible to work in the EU by the closing date for applications and show official evidence to support this. 

• Typically, you should have a minimum of one year practical or research work experience relevant to clinical psychology. 

• Eligible candidates will be shortlisted based on competencies including academic ability – particularly related to psychological knowledge, research competencies, clinically related competencies and experience, and personal and professional development. 

• The university will shortlist applicants based on the above for a day-long interview assessment process. 

• A joint selection process between the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, the University of Galway and University College Cork, will operate and will be based on competitive short-listing and interview of applicants. 

• Garda clearance is required. 

Checklist of documents: 

• Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID
• Two References:
  • Clinical (work related) Form
  • Academic Reference Form
  • At time of application please provide the names of two referees, one academic, one clinical, both of whom must be able to directly comment on your capacity for engaging with the demands of a doctoral programme in clinical psychology. References will be required only for those candidates called for interview and must be supplied at least one week prior to your interview date.
• Work Experience Form
• Application Information Form
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Copy of your CV (max. 2 pages)
• A passport sized photo
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts  

English Language 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application fully, please:
  • Upload all documents before the closing date. Your application cannot be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

EU - €15,100 per annum*

Non-EU €38,900 per annum*

* Year 2 and Year 3 fees are subject to change  

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

Funding 

Students are sponsored by the Health Service Executive (HSE), receiving a salary and fee contribution. Successful graduates are contracted to the HSE for a fixed post-qualification period. 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

The Clinical Psychology Doctorate programme can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:   

• Clinical psychology – working in hospitals, mental health services, and therapy settings.
• Community mental health services – supporting vulnerable populations through targeted interventions.
• Social care and rehabilitation – assisting individuals with psychological and social challenges.
• Research and academia – conducting studies that contribute to psychology and mental health policy.
• Policy development – shaping mental health policies and advocating for community-based support. 

Emma Byrne, a 2022 graduate, transitioned into a specialist role working with children and adolescents in a hospital setting.  

Her research focused on trauma-informed care, which has shaped her current clinical approach. "The programme gave me extensive hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop expertise in my area of interest. The mentorship from experienced psychologists was a real highlight." 

David Walsh, who completed the doctorate in 2021, now works in policy development, contributing to mental health strategy at a national level.  

His doctoral dissertation explored service improvements for individuals with complex mental health needs. "This programme opened doors to both clinical practice and policy work. The combination of placements, research, and professional development prepared me for a career beyond direct clinical work." 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions