BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical Psychology

Why Psychology with Clinical Psychology at ARU?

• All our Psychology courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and are delivered in our world-class £45m Science Centre, boasting dedicated psychology labs with virtual reality headsets, eye trackers, driving simulators and more.
• Engage in ‘Live Briefs’, designed, developed, and run in cooperation with local employers, giving you exposure to ‘real life’ problem-solving within your course.
• Our staff are experienced and world-class experts in their field, with 98% of their psychology research being recognised as internationally significant (REF 2021).
• Our students benefit from interactive and engaging sessions, with 92% of students saying our Psychology staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2023).
• Our Psychology courses deliver compressed teaching across three days of the week, to support with the cost of living.
• Learn from lecturers with hands-on experience working as clinical psychologists.

You’re fascinated by human behaviour, emotions, and relationships, and want to make a real difference to people’s lives. On our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychology with Clinical Psychology degree course, you’ll learn the main principles of psychology and how they’re applied in healthcare settings.

Together, we’ll explore the science behind what we do and who we are, with a strong focus on clinical and developmental psychology, mental health, and therapies and interventions. You’ll also develop the scientific, analytical and research skills you need to become a psychologist.

By studying psychology at ARU, you’ll immerse yourself in the science of mind and behaviour – and take the first step towards a career as a chartered psychologist, or training as a clinical psychologist.

What’s the difference between psychology and clinical psychology?

A psychologist is someone who has completed an undergraduate degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), such as our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical Psychology.

Psychologists may register with the BPS after graduation, and advance in their career through experience and further training.

Psychologists tend to work with healthier individuals who are experiencing issues such as stress, low self-esteem, bereavement, or relationship difficulties. Alternatively, they could work in psychological research, or use their knowledge of psychology in industry settings.

A clinical psychologist is someone who has gone on to complete a three-year doctoral training programme after attaining a BPS accredited undergraduate degree.

As well as the BPS, clinical psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. They usually specialise in particular issues or populations, and continue to develop their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.

Clinical psychologists are qualified to work with individuals with all types of mental health difficulties, including those who are experiencing more severe and complex issues such as psychosis and personality disorders.

Once you’ve completed our Psychology with Clinical Psychology degree course, you’ll be able to register with the BPS as a graduate chartered member.

You could use your psychological knowledge and research, analytical, and communication skills to promote mental health or solve problems in a variety of workplaces.

You might undertake further training and become a counsellor or other type of therapist. Alternatively, you could embark on a career in psychological research at a university or government organisation, or in industry or the charity sector.

After gaining sufficient experience in clinical settings, you can train as a clinical psychologist by undertaking a three-year doctoral training course. As a clinical psychologist, you’re likely to work in the NHS, diagnosing and treating patients in in settings such as hospitals, community mental health teams, or child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). There are also options to work in private practice.

Graduation doesn't need to be the end of your time with us. If you’d like to continue your studies, we offer a range of postgraduate degrees including MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology, MSc Clinical Child Psychology, and MSc Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.