Welcome to your Foundations of Clinical Psychology course

To prepare for the course, you may want to:

- Make a list of clinical psychology topics that you are interested in and start to think about the focus of your dissertation.

- Consider the key skills that you will need to undertake postgraduate study and how this differs from undergraduate study.

- Familiarise yourself with the BPS codes of ethics and conduct (Guidelines and policies – The British Psychological Society (bps.org.uk))

- Refresh your memory of the research methods training that you have received to date (quantitative and qualitative).

If you would like to carry out some preparatory reading for the course, here are some suggestions (we don’t expect you to read them all!):

Clark-Carter, D. (2018) Quantitative psychological research: The complete student's companion. (4th edition) Hove: Psychology Press. (Or an alternative psychology research methods textbook)

Craighead, W. E., Miklowitz, D. J. & Craighead, L. W. (2017). Psychopathology: History, diagnosis, and empirical foundations (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cromby, J., Harper, D., & Reavey, P. (2013). Psychology, mental health, and distress. Palgrave.

Scott, V. and Wolfe, S (2014) Community Psychology: Foundations for Practice. Sage

If you are studying the MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology full-time, you will usually be required to attend campus for taught sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10am-5pm). For part-time students, you will usually attend on Thursdays in your first year Tuesdays in your second year.

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available includes:

• Microsoft Office 365
• Microsoft Teams
• SPSS and AMOS
• Maple
• NVivo
• Sophos Antivirus
• Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
• VMWare
• Free Training

Free Software

• Academic Support: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/academic-support
• Academic Study Skills: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills
• Health and Wellbeing Support: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/health-and-wellbeing
• Safety and Pastoral Care: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/safety-and-pastoral-care
• Fees and Finances: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/student-life/fees-and-finance
• Campus and Facilities: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/student-life/campus-and-facilities

Further information can be found in the ‘current student’s portal’

Getting involved in a student group can enhance your time at University. It is a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whilst having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to make it happen! Please check out the Students’ Union website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with the Students’ Union if you have more questions.

Click here for a list of the current clubs and societies