phd in clinical psychology ireland

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Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psych.)

Course overview.

Within three years, the course provides an intensive and systematic programme of training, equipping each student to meet the challenges facing clinical psychology and to make a unique contribution to the Irish Health Services. A core value in the course is the emphasis on linking theory and practice, informed by the reflective scientist practitioner philosophy of integrated training in research methods, academic knowledge and clinical experience.

The course holds P.S.I. Accreditation.

Is This Course For Me?

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is designed to provide high-quality postgraduate professional training in Clinical Psychology leading to the award of a doctoral qualification. The course is designed to produce clinical psychologists who are equipped with the skills to respond flexibly to the changing demands of the Irish health and related services.

Career Opportunities

The course aims to train students so that they will be equipped to function as independent career-grade clinical psychologists in the Irish health service under appropriate supervision. A number of graduates also go on to further clinical research.

Course Structure

The course is structured so that the academic teaching typically takes place in term time for one and a half days per week. In addition, each placement is preceded by a teaching block of approximately four weeks duration.  Students complete six clinical placements during the course, each approximately five months in duration, providing knowledge, skills and experience to work with as wide a range of clients as possible. Research training is continuous across the programme.

Course requirements include continuous clinical assessment, examinations and a research portfolio combining reports of clinical activity, research projects and demonstrating research competency across a range of methodologies. Progress on the course is assessed by an end-of-year review.

Course Content

The course comprises three major components: research training, academic training and clinical placements. Students currently spend approximately 55% of course time on clinical placement. The remainder is divided between the taught academic programme and research activity. The academic programme consists of fourteen academic modules over three years.

Modules offered in recent years include: Adult Clinical Psychology; Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice; Research Methods and Statistics; Placement Theory and Practice; Advanced Issues in Clinical Psychology; Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice; Clinical Psychology and Intellectual Disability; Child Clinical Psychology; Specialist Topics; Transition to Qualified Status.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.

Important: It is a requirement that applicants upload a completed Course Application form (see link below) to the supporting documents area of their College application by the deadline date

Course Application Form (upload completed form to your College application)

Study the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Trinity

Introduction to the D.Clin.Psych. in Clinical Psychology programme by Dr. Kevin Tierney of the School of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.

Course Details

Number of places, next intake.

September 2024

Course Director

Dr Kevin Tierney

Closing Date

21st November 2023

Admission Requirements

Requirements include a primary honours degree in Psychology with at least an upper second-class award (2.1) or equivalent. Good research skills and relevant experience are essential.

Candidates are required to hold graduate basis for registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland. Students will need a full and valid driving licence.

Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, you can learn more at:  https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/postgraduates/garda-vetting.php

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.

To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below

• Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psych.) - 3 Years - Full-Time 28/NOV/2023

PLANNED ESSENTIAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

There will be no access to the my.tcd.ie direct online application portal from 17:00 on Friday 9 February until 12.00 on Monday 12 February, 2024 to facilitate an essential upgrade. Further information is available on the IT Services Alerts page using this link .

Get in Touch

Telephone number.

+353 (0)1 8962425

+353 (0)1 8963915

[email protected]

Register Your Interest

Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

I thoroughly enjoyed my three years on the programme. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the course immerses trainees in therapeutic modalities such as psychodynamic, systemic, and cognitive behavioural to name just a few. The teaching staff are approachable, helpful and enthusiastic, actively encouraging personal and professional reflection and development. I would recommend this clinical programme to anyone interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology. Jessica Russell-Carroll Graduate

UCC University College Cork

School of applied psychology síceolaíocht fheidhmeach.

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Doctor of Clinical Psychology

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Jump to section, applications for the 2024-25 intake.

Applications for the 2024-25 intake are closed.

The  Doctor of Clinical Psychology  is a full-time, three year postgraduate professional course in clinical psychology, designed to train psychologists to be eligible for appointment as Clinical Psychologists in the health services. The clinical psychology programme at  University College Cork  is the newest in Ireland. Whilst embracing the core training standards for the profession evident across all programmes, the Cork programme is growing a unique identity as outlined in Course Details.

The programme is delivered in partnership between the University and Health Services Executive (HSE) and other organisations. Trainees spend about 45% of their time at UCC, studying, and carrying out supervised research and about 55% on clinical placements. Each student is offered a specified purpose contract of employment for 3 years as a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with the HSE or other organisations.

Most placements will be located in the Cork / Kerry region. However, they may be located anywhere in Ireland. Trainees must be available to travel to placements beyond Cork city.  Application to the programme is considered acceptance by candidates that they are prepared to travel as such.

As well as completing placements and study in Adult Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Autism, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Elective areas, trainees also receive support for Personal and Professional Development, and an advanced training in clinical research leading to a research thesis.

Entry Requirements

The selection process for the D.Clin.Psych. is composed of two stages:

Stage 1 :  Minimum eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be eligible for graduate registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland.

a. An honours primary degree in Psychology which confers eligibility for graduate registration

b. An honours primary degree in another subject (minimum Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8)) together with an accredited conversion qualification (minimum Second Class Honours Grade 1) which confers eligibility for graduate registration.

Furthermore,  applicants with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in either of the above categories may also apply if they have also been awarded an additional Masters or a PhD relevant to Clinical Psychology.

• Applicants must have postgraduate experience within mental health, disability or related settings (includes voluntary experience).
• Applicants must submit a short personal statement that clearly indicates how their postgraduate education and/or work experience has prepared them in terms of their knowledge/experience of clinical psychology practice.
• Applicants must submit contact details for two referees, one academic and one associated with clinically relevant experience.
• Applicants who are not resident in the EU must have proof of eligibility to work in the EU and their Psychology degree must be approved by the Psychological Society of Ireland or the British Psychological Society as equivalent to their accredited degrees.

Stage 2: Selection process

As there are likely to be far more suitable applicants than places available, an interview shortlist will be prepared. The shortlist will be based on ratings of the relevant competencies derived from evidence presented in the application form, personal statement, and transcripts if appropriate. The competencies include:

• Intellectual ability – particularly related to psychological knowledge
• Research competencies
• Clinically related competencies and experience
• Personal and professional development

Applicants should ensure the information provided on the application form speaks to these competencies.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a day-long assessment process. This will involve two individual interviews – one related to academic – research competencies and a second related to clinical – personal competencies. In addition, a group task and interview will assess personal and interpersonal competencies related to clinical psychology training.

Garda Vetting Students who are selected for this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting  UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Sponsored Appointments

All successful applicants will be recommended to the HSE, or other sponsoring agency, for appointment. The latter will be subject to successful occupational health assessment and satisfactory references. 

Fitness to Practise This programme is subject to the  University's Fitness to Practise Policy .

Non EU Applications

Prospective applications from Non-EU citizens for the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology need to be aware that clinical psychology trainees are full-time employees of the Health Service Executive (HSE) or other approved Health Care Agencies during the three years of the doctoral programme. To take up this employment requires that applicants have the right to work in Ireland without restriction.  Non-EU applicants are therefore not considered unless they have a pre-existing right to work in Ireland for the duration of the course and the required three years after completion. Please also note that the current Non-EU university fee for the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology is currently €29,000 for each year of the programme. Please see here for further details  https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/researchprogrammes/

Course Details

The programme embraces the reflective scientist-practitioner approach that characterises contemporary clinical psychology.  Students are taught to rigorously evaluate, synthesise and apply existing clinical research in professional practice and to generate new research knowledge from their practice.  The interplay between practice and reflection is embedded in the course structure and content. The UCC programme will include opportunities to train in new, third wave, therapies, an emphasis on developing the non-therapy competencies of leadership and organisational influence and opportunities to join research programmes with impact.

Over the three years, students spend about 45% of their time studying and carrying out supervised research. They learn about the key processes that a clinical psychologist engages in, e.g. assessment, formulation and intervention, which they apply in core areas Adult Mental Health, Disability, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and in elective or specialist areas. They also learn advanced research methods and data analysis to support their clinical research which leads to a research thesis. This time studying is interwoven with the approximately 55% of time spent on clinical placements under the supervision of a registered Clinical Psychologist working in one of the clinical specialisms above.

Personal and professional development is promoted through all aspects of the programme and supported by personal awareness groups funded by the programme, in supervision, tutoring and in specific teaching blocks.

Trainees must pass all modules to progress through the programme.

In first year students undertake academic and placement modules related to adult clinical psychology, child and disability and research methods. They also start working on their research project and identifying, with support from an academic supervisor, a suitable topic for the major research project.  In the first year trainees will also undertake and report on a service related research project.  In line with the UCC Progress Review Policy for Research Students, students will undergo a formal review of progress of research progress and other course components. Progress must be sufficiently satisfactory to progress to the next year or stage of training.

In second year students undertake academic and placement modules related to child and disability clinical psychology. Students will continue working on their research project and would be expected to have obtained ethical approval and relevant agency agreement to begin the process of data collection, and have made significant progress in data collection and analysis.  As above, a formal Progress Review will also be undertaken at end of year 2.

In third year, students undertake academic and placement modules related to specialisms / electives in clinical psychology.  They also complete and submit their research thesis which is examined by a  viva voce.

Course Practicalities

Over the three years, students spend about 45% of their time studying and carrying out supervised research and about 55% of their time on supervised clinical placements. As placements can be located anywhere in Ireland, trainees must be available to travel to, and as required for, placement activities. Application to the programme is considered acceptance by candidates that they are prepared to travel the required distances. The course is organised in specific blocks of lectures and study, followed by placements in that area of specialization. While on placement students have study time, and occasional academic days back at the university.

Modules are assessed in a number of ways including a critical literature review, clinical reports with varying foci, reflective practice assignments and placement evaluations of competence reports.  All work is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, although indicative grades are awarded. Progress on the major research project is an ongoing matter of discussion between students and supervisors and is formally assessed annually by means of a written submission documenting progress and a presentation of the research project.

Trainees complete placements in each of the following core clinical areas: 

• Adult Mental Health Services
• Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology and Mental Health Services

The placement contexts vary, including hospital, community and tertiary care settings. However all provide the opportunity to develop the core competencies to work as a clinical psychologist. In final year, subject to attaining the required experiences and competencies with the core care groups, trainees have the opportunity to undertake an advanced placement(s) in specialist areas. These can focus on a specific population such as Adult Primary Care, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Older Adults, Infant Mental Health, Prison/Forensic services, Neuropsychology, Health Psychology, Mental Health in Intellectual Disability, Early Intervention Psychology or the specialty can be focused on a particular method of working, such as DBT, Schema Focused Therapy etc.

Whilst placements can be anywhere in Ireland (and indeed beyond), most placements (especially in the first two years) will take place in Cork and Kerry. Many placements are in the Cork City and most trainees have found it advantageous to relocate here if coming from elsewhere. However,  most trainees will have to travel from this academic base at some stage during training.

Why Study this Course?

This course has been developed to meet the high demand for Clinical Psychologists in the Munster area and beyond. Successful applicants are employed by the Health Service Executive or the Irish Prison Service as Trainee Clinical Psychologists for the three years of the course and will start on the first point of the scale https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/pay/pay-scales/

In addition to the salary, the sponsor will pay 60% towards the trainee’s annual doctoral fee for EU students.  Trainees are liable to pay the remaining 40%.  Total fee is €14,630 in 2023/2024. It should be noted that the fee for non EU students is €29,000.  Fee Schedule is available here .

Who to Contact

Dr. Christian Ryan

Programme Director

School of Applied Psychology, UCC

[email protected]

00353 21 490 4508

After Graduation

Clinical psychologists provide a variety of services including assessment, therapy, and consultancy. They work primarily, but not exclusively in child and/or adult and disability services where emotional, behavioural, psychiatric or developmental difficulties are addressed.

Career opportunities exist for professionally qualified clinical psychologists in a variety of health, prison services and social care settings. Opportunities may also be found in educational services and institutions. Most D.Clin.Psych. graduates take up employment in the HSE but some are also employed within other agencies such as the charity sector and prison service.

FAQs (Please Read)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I address my queries to?

What sort of experience do I need to apply for the course?

I have experience working within a health / disability / other such setting but not directly with clinical or other applied psychologists. Is this relevant?

Are some masters / postgraduate courses better than other?

I do not hold a degree in Psychology. Can I still apply?

Where do I find out about Graduate Basis for Membership?

Is the D.Clin.Psych. at UCC accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland?

I have a disability. Can I apply for the course?

Am I too old to apply for the course?

What’s the profile of successful applicants?

Any tips on the application form?

Firstly, please read all information on this website and this section (FAQ). This will generally cover most queries. 

If you cannot find an answer to your query, please contact our administrator, Nora Hennessy, in the first instance:  [email protected]

We do not rate experiences per se at the shortlisting or interview stage of selection. Rather, we rate competencies (see our entry requirements for details of competencies).

It would be difficult, however, for you to evidence these competencies without some clinically-related experience before starting training. Thus, some clinically relevant experience is a requirement, although we do not prescribe the amount of time etc. Most successful applicants will have at least one year’s relevant experience but quality is as important as quantity and we do not prescribe this as essential. Experience helps to establish that you have some appreciation of the programme and career you are applying for and experience should promote the competencies we assess.

Ideally this experience should be with populations that you will encounter in training and practice – e.g. adults and children in psychological distress and / or with a disability. Clinical experience which is supervised by a clinical or other applied psychologist can be particularly valuable. Given variability in experience settings and contexts we cannot advise you what job / position would be preferable over another. It is up to you to decide how such experiences will afford you the opportunities to develop the competencies we assess through selection (see entry requirements).

Research experience (in addition to the undergraduate project) is also relevant and helpful, especially if the research is clinically relevant e.g. where it involves direct contact with users of clinical psychology services, or where the results of the research are clinically applicable.

Please bear in mind that the competencies rated vary across academic, clinical, research, personal and interpersonal domains. It would be difficult for anyone to gain experiences which promote  all  competencies. Thus, (a) bear in mind that successful applicants always have strengths as well as gaps / limitations and (b) you need to decide for yourself what strengths or emphases you want to prioritise through experience.

Experience of working within a clinical psychology context, or receiving such supervision, often allows applicants to gain competencies that we are interested in and also allows candidates to evidence these competencies. However, any experience that allows you to develop competencies in psychological knowledge and skills, research competencies and personal qualities is relevant. Throughout all your experience it is important for you to engage in reflective practice and make theory – practice links where possible. Supervision can help with this, but there is much you can do yourself through reading, continued professional development (CPD) and keeping your own reflective practice log.

We will not recommend one particular programme over another. Again, look at the competencies we assess and decide which programmes are most likely to help you develop such. These could be related to research skills or a critical appreciation of knowledge bases related to clinical psychology. Programmes which promote the application of knowledge to practice settings may be helpful here.

You need Graduate Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) to apply for this course (see below). Typically, this means that your degree should be from an Irish or UK university in Psychology (2:1 level or above). If you have a 2:2, but have attained a higher postgraduate qualification (masters or PhD) relevant to Clinical Psychology, you may also apply. The degree must be accredited as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the PSI or British Psychological Society for UK courses.

If your qualifications do not meet the requirements for Graduate Membership you will need to take a higher diploma / conversion course.

Where do I find out about Graduate Membership?

If your qualifications are not from the Republic of Ireland or the UK you need to have them checked by the PSI to see if they give you eligibility.

Please contact the PSI for information on how to establish this .

The D. Clin. Psych. at UCC is fully accredited by the PSI. 

The course has an equal opportunity policy and is keen to increase diversity within the profession of clinical psychology. We do not discriminate on any basis and welcome applications from all sections of our community. The course will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with a disability.

Again, the course has an equal opportunity policy and welcome applicants of any age. Older candidates frequently have considerable expertise and experience and can be an asset to the course and the profession.

Diversity in clinical training and practice is important to us so there is no stereotype or template. We engage a range of academic and clinical practitioners in the selection process to incorporate different perspectives. In addition, applicants with little experience can show huge training potential and impress, and people with a lot of experience and qualifications may not show the required competencies on the application form or through the selection process. Thus, we would encourage considered applications if you think you meet the essential requirements and think you are ready for training. The application process can be good experience in itself.

Data from our first six years of selection would suggest that successful applicants tend to have undertaken postgraduate study and certainly have at least one year’s relevant experience.

The application form is essentially your opportunity to showcase that you have developed the competencies required, and are right, for clinical psychology training. Please consider this very carefully as the application form can either undersell or augment all of your hard earned qualifications and experience in preparation for training. Some tips from the selection sub-committee:

• Do NOT exceed word limits specified.
• The narrative sections of our application form, where you synthesise the various academic, research, clinical and personal and professional competencies are very important. Be succinct. Demonstrate your capacity to synthesise information well.
• Whilst your application form is essentially your “pitch”, it highlights critical self-reflection if you are also able to reflect on your limitations and needs as well as your strengths.
• Only upload information required.
• Be very clear about your dates of relevant experience, official role title and core duties.
• Make links between qualifications and experience and competencies attained. Equally, evidence competencies with reference to academic, clinical, research and personal experiences.
• Show reflective capacity. You as a person are as important as the experiences you have attained. Show something of this personal reflective capacity, but please bear in mind that you do not have to “bear your soul” to get into clinical psychology training.
• Be mindful of confidentiality / anonymity issues related to clients / others you may have worked with.

How to Apply

Go to https://ucc.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Create  and create an account.

Follow the prompts through each section of the form, ensuring that you fully complete each section.  

You will then be prompted to certify and submit the form and you will then be asked to pay the application fee.

Once the fee has been paid you will be prompted to download the DCLIN Psych additional questions document, complete this as per the instructions and upload it. 

Your application is not complete until all of the required supporting documentation has been uploaded.  Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. 

The closing date is Monday 23rd October 2023 but please allow ample time in case of technical problems.

if you have any issues submitting your application please contact [email protected]

Please see screenshots below to assist you in completing the application form.

• Work Experience is to be added on the downloadable word form (available once you have paid the fee)
• Details of two referees are required (contact will be made with referees once candidates have been shortlisted)

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Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology: Applications Opening November 16th

Applications are invited for the PhD. (Clinical Psychology), a three-year full-time professional educational programme. The programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. The programme will commence in September 2021.

Trainees are sponsored by the Health Service Executive (HSE) - salary and fee contribution - with successful graduates contracted to the HSE for a fixed post-qualification period.

Applicants must, at the time of application, hold a primary degree in psychology or a postgraduate diploma in psychology, recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as conferring eligibility for graduate membership of the Society. Applicants with a primary degree from outside Ireland or the UK must supply proof of recognition of their degree by the PSI at the time of their application. The degree must be at least at upper second-class honours level. Applicants who have a 2.2 Degree in Psychology and a recognised postgraduate qualification in Psychology at Masters level or higher may be considered for interview. 

Practical and/or research experience relevant to clinical psychology is also required . 

A joint selection process between UL and NUI Galway will take place and will be on the basis of competitive shortlisting and interview of applicants. Although a joint selection process , applicants must apply separately to each course for which they wish to be considered.  Interviews are anticipated to take place in early April 2021.

Applications for UL open 16th November 2020 and close 08th January 2021 and can only be made online at; https://www.ul.ie/gps/course/clinical-psychology-doctorate-programme

Fully completed academic and work references should be submitted as part of your application paperwork either online (as per the above link) or to the dedicated email address [email protected] to arrive no later than the same closing date of 08th January 2021 . Please note, no other correspondence should be sent to that email address.

Open Evening : For potential applicants requiring more information, our Clinical Psychology Team will host an Open Evening on Tuesday 08th December 2020. This will be held online, using MS Teams, and will run from 17.30pm until 19.00pm.

On the evening itself, you can Click here to join the meeting

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PhD Research Programme

The UCD School of Psychology PhD enables candidates to achieve the best possible experience of graduate research and training. This programme provides the highest level of specialisation in applied or experimental research. It is designed for students who wish to pursue research, teaching or applied psychology positions in academia or industry.

PhD candidates work under the supervision of a Faculty member and are supported by a number of other key programmes and personnel to guide them through the process and achieve their academic and professional objectives. Making a substantial and original contribution to knowledge, normally leading to peer-reviewed publications remains the core objective of doctoral studies.

A PhD typically takes 3-4 years full-time (9-12 trimesters) or up to 6 years part time (typically 15-18 trimesters) to complete. The examination of the degree of PhD is based on a description of the candidate’s research, written up as a thesis and defended in a viva voce (oral examination).

For more general information about doing a PhD in UCD, See the short guide here.

Am I eligible for this course?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region: Yes

Candidates may apply for admission to the PhD programme if they have the following:

1. Primary Degree

• Candidates must have:
• A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with upper second-class honours or international equivalent.
• Or a Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least upper second-class honours
• We will also consider applicants with at least an upper second-class honours degree in a cognate area that provides appropriate background to their proposed research programme.

2. Graduate Degree

• Direct entry to the PhD programme requires candidates to have obtained:
• An upper second-class honours in a Master’s degree.
• Or at least three years’ experience in a field relevant to your PhD topic.
• Without a graduate degree, successful applicants will be first registered to the MLitt research degree with a view to transferring to the PhD programme after one year.

English Language Requirements

• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.

Evaluation and Assessment

Each PhD student is supported by a three-person (minimum) research studies panel (RSP) which includes their thesis supervisor and two other academics. Candidates develop a research and professional development plan (RPDP) that their research studies panel use to monitor their progress annually. The RPDP describes their proposed programme of research and documents their educational, training, personal, and professional development needs. Their transfer from Stage 1 to Stage 2 is assessed by a Transfer Assessment Panel, based on a report and their research progress.

As part of a structured PhD programme candidates are required to earn 30 credits from taught modules. Students are often free to take modules from across the university offerings but should discuss this with their supervisor. Common modules taken in the School of Psychology can be found here .

The PhD is examined in an oral viva voce examination with internal and external examiners where candidates defend their PhD thesis. PhD theses describe research which makes an original, substantial, publishable contribution to knowledge and the degree is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated the capacity to pursue original research and scholarship.

Course Fees and Financial Support

• For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website at www.ucd.ie/fees
• Some candidates on the PhD programme fund their time through a grant or scholarship that they have acquired. Others will be funded through a larger grant as part of their supervisor’s research programme. Other candidates self-fund their studies (fully or partially) through part-time work and or relevant research and teaching opportunities that arise from time to time within and outside of the UCD School of Psychology.

Application Details

• Download the application form (opens in a new window) here .
• Submit the application form (opens in a new window) here . The programme starts for new candidates in September, January, or May of each year. It strongly advised that you submit your final (supervisor endorsed) application about four months prior to your expected start date. The dates that applications are considered can be seen (opens in a new window) here .

Note: Before making an application to the programme interested candidates must have a proposed supervisor. If you have not identified a proposed supervisor just complete Part A of the form and submit it. Once this step is completed, the Faculty member you have selected will review your form. If the Faculty member wishes to work with you as a potential research student, they will contact you directly and you will both work together on Part B of the form. 

If the Faculty member cannot take you on as a potential research student the School will notify you that you have been unsuccessful in obtaining a supervisor.  You may then repeat the process choosing another Faculty member

For further information about the graduate research programmes, please contact Muriel Keegan at (opens in a new window) [email protected]  or +353 1 716 8120.

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Phd psychology.

• Study at Maynooth /

Qualification : PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH PH.D. (10)

CAO/PAC code : MHW02 (FT), MHW03 (PT)

CAO Points :

View FETAC details

• Entry Requirements
• Research Interest
• Course Structure
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• How to Apply

PhD students are an integral part of the academic life of MU’s Department of Psychology; we aim to deliver high-quality supervision and to produce research of international quality. The goal of the structured PhD programme is to provide a high quality research experience with integrated taught support. Structured support is offered through transferable skills modules and specialist modules to provide students with academic and professional skills needed for employment and career progression within, and outside of, academia.

Our Department makes an internationally distinctive and vibrant contribution to research and practice through four intersecting themes:   Rehabilitation, Disability & Health Psychology  –  researching the well-being of individuals and communities and their service provision, in terms of impairments/disability, assistive technologies, coping and empowerment; using quantitative and qualitative methods.   Mental Health, Community & Positive Psychology  – focusing on the psychology of mental health and well-being of individuals, families and communities, as well as service provision and evaluation, with emphasis on vulnerability, marginalisation, resilience, and personal growth (using mixed methods approaches).   Neuroscience, Behaviour & Cognition  – employing experimental methods to understand and address fundamental challenges in intelligence, thought processes, neuronal functioning and human and animal behaviour.   Organisations, Systems and Policy  – researching complex systems problems, of inter-relatedness and change; using qualitative, quantitative and policy techniques, working with a broad range of businesses, service providers and international agencies.

Our PhD students gain training and experience in conducting high-quality empirical research in an environment characterised by a warm welcoming atmosphere. 

Closing date Research applications are accepted at any time. Commencement dates are restricted.

Commences September (or other agreed time)

Normally, candidates for research degrees must possess a first class or upper second class honours degree in psychology that qualifies the student for eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society or for Graduate Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Graduates of cognate disciplines with a first class or upper second class honours degree may also be considered for postgraduate study; such students should be aware that they will require additional qualifications in order to be eligible for GBC or Graduate Membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements: Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here . The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Research Interest  The following research interests and specialisms are within the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University:

Dr Laura Coffey The experience and psychosocial impacts of illness and disability. Self-regulation of normative (e.g., ageing) and non-normative (e.g., amputation, cancer) developmental challenges. Personal meanings and perspectives on assistive technology use. Self-management of long-term conditions. The development and evaluation of complex interventions.

Professor Seán Commins The neurobiology of spatial navigation, learning and memory. Consolidation of long-term memories. Neural substrates of hippocampal-cortical interactions. Investigation of cognitive deficits following stroke and other disorders. The role of cognition in driver behaviour.

Professor Louise Connell   Cognition and cognitive science, especially the mental representation of concepts, sensorimotor grounding of cognition, and role of language and linguistic distributional knowledge in cognition. Interdisciplinary research that spans psychology (experimental and cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics), linguistics (cognitive and corpus linguistics), and artificial intelligence (computational modelling, distributional semantics). 

Professor Andrew Coogan We are interested in circadian rhythms and sleep, and their importance for health and wellbeing. Current research interests include assessing how circadian clocks may be involved in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, looking at circadian rhythm involvement in other important conditions, such as diabetes and depression, asking how the immune system influences circadian rhythms and assessing how cognition and behaviour may be changed following sepsis.

Dr Michael Cooke Living and working with technology. Human factors and human-computer interaction. Understanding people living and working in complex systems (such as aviation, security, emergency management, health, manufacturing, energy production, critical infrastructures, or any system where people interact with technology), the psychology of lived experience (phenomenological perspectives), activity theory, and sociocultural psychology. I am also interested in Critical Psychology and qualitative methods.

Dr Michael Daly Lifelong impact of childhood individual differences with a focus on self-control and mental health; psychological and health effects of major stressors (e.g. unemployment, poverty, weight discrimination, the COVID-19 pandemic); longitudinal data

Dr Constance de Saint Laurent 

Social media, internet cultures, and technological mediation: How digital technologies mediate social interactions and cognition. Social representations, misinformation, and memory: How we understand complex objects (covid, refugee crisis, generative AI), as well as the impact of misinformation and collective memory on how we understand our social environment.

Professor Deirdre Desmond Psychosocial adjustment to illness, injury and disability; Outcomes measurement; rehabilitation; assistive technology.

Dr Unai Diaz-Orueta Neuropsychological assessment using a process-based approach. Virtual and augmented reality applications in (neuro)psychological assessment and intervention. Cognitive rehabilitation procedures (both traditional and technology/game-based approaches). Serious games for health. Teleneuropsychology (both in terms of tele-assessment and tele-rehabilitation).

Dr Philip Hyland  Psychological responses to stressful and traumatic life events. General mental health issues including the structure of general psychopathology. Identification of risk and resilience factors associated with mental health responses to traumatic life events. Identification of the outcomes of exposure to traumatic life events.

Dr Dermot Lynott

My research falls broadly within the areas of cognitive science and embodied cognition. I am interested in how people's linguistic, bodily and environmental experience shapes their mental representations and how this affects the way they process the world around them. This research includes investigations of the grounded and situated nature of concepts, the ability of language, body and environment to shape representations and behaviour, and the interplay of linguistic and simulation systems in human cognition.

Dr Tadhg MacIntyre Nature-based interventions, metacognition, embodied cognition and motor cognition, resilience and mental health, and digital nature and VR.

Professor Mac MacLachlan Disability, impairment, ageing and chronic illness; service design, implementation and evaluation; social inclusion; assistive and connected technologies; human rights and global health; policy development and implementation; macropsychology; maritime psychology.

Dr Rebecca Maguire Quality of life and well-being in patients with chronic illness, especially in cancer or multiple sclerosis. Caregiver well-being and burden of care. Health-related decision making. Coping with uncertainty. Psychological appraisals. Cognitive basis of expectation and surprise.

Professor Sinéad McGilloway Broadly: The psychological aspects and community context of health care and social problems across the lifespan. Specifically: Child and adult mental health and well-being in the community. Health services research. Intervention/service design, development and evaluation. The health and social care needs of vulnerable and socially excluded groups. Mental health and well-being aspects of palliative/end-of-life care. Systematic reviews.

Dr Joanna McHugh Power Later life social functioning, focusing on the experience of loneliness in later life, using both advanced statistical modelling and epidemiological techniques, and qualitative and mixed methods. The relationship between loneliness and social isolation, and the impacts that these have on physical and mental health (particularly brain health and cognitive ageing). Interventions for reducing loneliness and social isolation and their evaluation.

Dr Joanne McVeigh Global health; human rights, equity, and social inclusion; disability, including early childhood intervention for children with disabilities; policy development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring; systems thinking; macropsychology; organisational psychology; maritime psychology.

Dr Katriona O’Sullivan Widening access to education; digital skills development.

Dr Bryan Roche The experimental analysis of complex human behaviour, language and cognition (EAB). Experimental social psychology and implicit attitude measurement. Fear and avoidance conditioning models of human anxiety. Intelligence and the development of behaviourally oriented educational interventions.

Dr Richard Roche Memory in healthy and pathological ageing. Reminiscence Therapy. Dementia. Neurorehabilitation. Synaesthesia. Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Dr Sadhbh Byrne : Child and youth mental health, including self-harm and suicide. Family, peers, schools, universities providing support for youth mental health (and how we can best "support the supporters"). Youth mental health and primary care (GPs). Emergency department care for young people's self-harm. The mental health/wellbeing needs of marginalised and socially-excluded children and young people (e.g., children seeking protection/asylum). Youth participation, co-design/co-production.    

Dr Peter Murphy : Neural mechanisms of decision-making, working memory and cognitive control; relationships between them; and how they are affected under conditions of brain change (e.g. cognitive aging) and psychological disorder. Computational modelling of behaviour and neural circuits, including training and interrogation of artificial neural networks performing cognitive tasks. Influence of arousal and 'brain state' on cognitive function. 

Dr Siobhan Woods

Athlete psychological health and well-being, especially burnout; the role of physical activity in psychological health and well-being.                                                          

For further details on the research specialisms within the Department please visit: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/psychology/our-research

The core objective of the PhD programme involves a substantial and original contribution to psychological knowledge in a given research field, and the production of research outputs suitable for peer reviewed publication. PhD research students must take a minimum of 30 credits in taught modules (15 in transferable modules and 15 in specialist modules).

The structured PhD is a research oriented programme associated with a wide range of career options, depending on subject area. Your prospective supervisor will be able to offer advice on specific career options.

Online application only   http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

PAC Code MHW02  Full-time MHW03 Part-time

Candidates should not make a formal application through PAC unless they have approval in principle for research supervision.

The following information should be forwarded to PAC, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway or uploaded to your online application form:

Students who have not completed undergraduate studies at Maynooth University need to provide certified copies of all official transcripts of results for their qualifications, two academic references and a copy of their birth certificate or valid passport.  (Please note that failure to do so will delay application processing.)

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School of Psychology | Structured Doctoral Pathways 2023-2024

The School of Psychology is a young, dynamic and progressive environment with a strong reputation for excellence in research and teaching and learning. Our expertise spans a wide range of areas within the field of psychology, including cutting edge cross-disciplinary research. We have established a thriving research community and offer excellent opportunities for research postgraduates to advance their knowledge and skills.

This document details the Structured PhD Programme for the School of Psychology which is tailored to the needs of the School and its postgraduate students. It is a student-centred, flexible, research focused programme, augmented by activities that support the acquisition of a range of relevant specialist and generic skills. In consultation with their supervisor(s), students can undertake a bespoke suite of modules across a number of areas, developing scientific, discipline specific, generic and transferable skills which will be tailored to their needs and ensure successful completion of their PhD and maximise their career flexibility.

Selection and Registration

The core component of the PhD programme is the completion of original research presented in thesis format. In addition, PhD students will also normally have accumulated a minimum of 30 taught credits. MSc students will normally have accumulated at least 20 credits. It should be noted that a maximum of 90 credits may be taken by any student across their registration period. Normally students will take at least 10 credits each year for years 1- 3, with year 4, if appropriate, focused exclusively on their research.

Modules will be taken from the current GTE (Graduate Training Element) offering within the Faculty of Science and Health (FSH). Subject to the availability of GTEs, this document provides examples of discipline-specific skills, transferable skills and elective modules and training.

It is policy in the School of Psychology that all research students who are assigned any teaching related responsibilities must complete GS602 Postgraduate Tutoring Principles and Practice.

Once approval from the supervisor has been granted, students should register for their approved Faculty GTE modules during the online registration process. However, if you wish to take a non-FSH GTE module you MUST first email the module coordinator listed to check that you are eligible to register for this module, then email [email protected] .

• confirmation and proof of approval from module coordinator
• module code and title
• student id number
• qualification code

Progression

The individually tailored structured pathway for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with their supervisor and progress recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Induction and Training

Research students are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of centrally offered non accredited workshops, seminars and training on academic, software or transferable skills which align with their developmental needs as appropriate throughout their period of study. In year one, all students are required to attend the orientation sessions, the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and library-run programme and other relevant induction sessions. GSO communicates details of the training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. Research students are also required to take the Online Research Integrity Module in year one of their studies.

Core Discipline Specific Modules | Years One to Three 

• Advanced Research Skills (Psychology) (PSYC521) (10 ECTS)
• Specialist Topic in Psychology (PSYC528) (10 ECTS)
• Qualitative Research Summer School (NS5055) (5 ECTS)
• Strategies for Getting Published (PSYC609) (5 ECTS)
• Science Communication for Graduate Researchers (PSYC523) (5 ECTS)

Core Transferable Skills Modules | Years Two to Three

• Postgraduate Tutoring Principles & Practice (GS602) (5 ECTS)
• Qualitative Research Methods (MT610) (5 ECTS)
• Quantitative Research Methods (MT611) (5 ECTS)
• Research Ethics (TP602)

Elective Modules  | Years Two to Three

• Personal, Professional Planning and Development (HR610) (5 ECTS) - delivered every second year
• English for Academic Purposes (LC600)
• Intellectual Property for Commercialisation (GS601) (5 ECTS)

Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses | Year One

• Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
• Online Research Integrity Training Module - Biomedical Stream or Social and Behavioural Science Stream (non - accredited)
• Grant Writing (HR Workshop)

Students are also encouraged to engage with School and centrally offered training workshops and seminars as appropriate throughout their PhD. Students are also expected to attend/present at relevant national and international conferences throughout their PhD.

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Search

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School of Psychology

Postgraduate, course listing.

The School has a variety of research activities spanning a diverse range of areas. The School is prominently associated with five research groups in the College: the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, the Children’s Research Centre, the Trinity College Centre for Global Health, the Trinity College Research Centre for Psychological Health and the Trinity College Centre for Innovative Human Systems.

Within the three years, the course provides an intensive and systematic programme of training, equipping each student to meet the challenges facing clinical psychology and to make a unique contribution to the Irish Health Services.

This intensive full-time course provides professional training in Counselling Psychology and is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. Admission is on a yearly basis for approximately 12 to 14 students.

These online courses are relevant to safety critical industries across the globe and focuses on people already in work, who have responsibility for managing: risk; change; safety; quality; planning; system design.

The course is designed to provide students with a thorough appreciation of issues in applied psychology, knowledge of the skills required to apply psychology effectively, and a detailed understanding of their chosen focus of application.

The MSc in Global Mental Health is an exciting new programme granting students the knowledge and skills to pursue global mental health careers that bridge governmental, non-governmental, humanitarian work, and academia.

The Masters of Philosophy in Psychoanalytic Studies offers graduates a thorough introduction to the history, theory and applications in clinical work and in the wider culture of psychoanalysis from Freud to modern writers in this broad field.

This is an intensive full time course which aims to ensure that students become efficient in the practical application of the principles of applied behaviour analysis, with particular regard to persons with autism and other developmental disabilities and/or children and adolescents in care or special programmes, and/or those clients presenting learning and/or behavioural challenges in school.

The M.Sc. / P.Grad. Diploma in Clinical Supervision part-time course is aimed at practitioners in the helping professions who normally hold an honours degree in psychology or a related field and relevant post-graduate experience.

The purpose of the course is to provide a pre-professional qualification in psychology, which confers eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and allows a student to proceed to postgraduate training, including higher degrees by research, and to specialise in an area of professional psychology.

Click here to be brought to their website.

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Psychology and Health (Structured PhD)

• Find a Supervisor/PhD Project
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Course Overview

Course fees.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and Health (PhD) programme is a four year (full-time) postgraduate research degree that combines a PhD thesis with the taught academic components of the existing MSc in Health Psychology programme and a range of transferable skills. This full-time PhD programme subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model, and provides students with integrated training in the academic and research aspects of Psychology and Health as well as providing students with a broad range of transferable skills.

Programmes Available

Structured PhD (Psychology and Health)—full-time  Structured PhD (Psychology and Health)—part-time Applications are made online via the University of Galway  Postgraduate Applications System . 

Learning Outcomes

Entry requirements.

Students are selected by course committee comprising the course Director(s), prospective research supervisor(s), and Head of School. Entrants are expected to have no less than an Upper Second Class Honours degree in psychology or a discipline related to health psychology, or equivalent international qualification. If students do not have this basic qualification they must have demonstrated high ability by some other means (e.g., through publications or achievement in a higher degree). Candidates should be proficient in the use of the English language. An interview process forms part of the selection procedure and these take place at the end of June/early July.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects.

Web-based intervention to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine in young women (Dr. Jane Walsh, Susie Kola & Sinead Leonard School of Psychology)

Managing the Psychological Challenges of Breast Cancer (A Groarke, R Curtis) (Psychology University of Galway), M. Kerin & Ray McLaughlin (Dept of Surgery, UCHG)

The meaning of motivation for patients with chronic low back pain, using a person-centred qualitative approach to understand how patients with this chronic condition manage to maintain their resilience in the face of this health challenge (P. MacNeela) (funded by the IRCHSS)

Current funded research opportunity

Work placement, related student organisations, career opportunities, find a supervisor / phd project.

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Current Projects

Dr. Molly Byrne Research interests: The application of psychological theory to health behaviour change interventions. Chronic disease (particularly coronary heart disease and diabetes): self-management and psychosocial aspects. Sexual function and intimate relationship problems and chronic disease. Blood donation behaviour. Enhancing physical activity, particularly active commuting (walking and cycling).

Dr AnnMarie Groarke  [email protected]   Research Interests: Areas of interest include illness representations and coping with chronic illness conditions, illness, emotions and adjustment (e.g benefit finding).  The stress and illness link, stress and illness moderators (e.g personality, perceived control). Psychosocial predictors of adjustment and efficacy of stress management/ cognitive behavioural interventions (e.g.  in cancer,  rheumatoid arthritis ).

Dr. Caroline Heary  [email protected] Research interests: pediatric psychology, including psychosocial factors associated with sedentary behaviours, physical activity and eating behaviours during childhood and adolescence; stigma associated with mental health difficulties and developmental disabilities; coping with chronic illness during childhood/adolesence.

Dr. Jane Walsh [email protected] Research Interests: Health behaviour change and communication in health care settings, organ donation, uptake of vaccination, interventions to reduce patient anxiety in patients undergoing stressful medical procedures.

Ms Anne Marie Keane   [email protected] Research Interests: Psychosocial factors in the adjustment and management of chronic illness; Psychological aspects of acute and chronic pain perception and pain management; Children’s understanding of health issues; The psychosocial impact of work on health and well being.  Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Dr. Padraig MacNeela Research interests: Mental health, alcohol use, pain, volunteering and civic engagement, health care judgement and decision-making, health services, nursing and other health care professions, qualitative studies of health conditions

Dr. Kiran Sarma

Researcher Profiles

Dr. Molly Byrne   Dr. AnnMarie Groarke  Dr. Caroline Heary  Dr. Padraig MacNeela   Dr. Anne Marie Keane Dr. Kiran Sarma   Dr. Jane Walsh

Fees: Non EU

Extra information.

EU Part time: Year 1  €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25

All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy €140.

Dr. Jane Walsh School of Psychology T +353 91 493 102 E jane.walsh@ universityofgalway.ie

Postgraduate Prospectus 2024 PDF (3.3MB)

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11 Best universities for Clinical Psychology in Ireland

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Ireland ranked based on their research performance in Clinical Psychology. A graph of 244K citations received by 9.61K academic papers made by 11 universities in Ireland was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

For Clinical Psychology

2. University College Dublin

3. University College Cork

4. National University of Ireland, Galway

5. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

6. University of Limerick

7. Maynooth University

8. Dublin City University

9. National University of Ireland, System

10. National College of Ireland

11. Waterford Institute of Technology

The best cities to study Clinical Psychology in Ireland based on the number of universities and their ranks are Dublin , Cork , Galway , and Limerick .

Psychology subfields in Ireland

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Doctorate Psychology courses in Ireland

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Doctor of Psychological Science Clinical Psychology

Galway , Ireland

THE world university rank:  301

Course qualification

Doctorate (Specialised)

Entry score

Total course fee

AUD 72,138 ? EUR  43,320 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology

Belfield , Ireland

THE world university rank:  201

AUD 114,401 ? EUR  68,700 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology

AUD 163,859 ? EUR  98,400 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Cork , Ireland

AUD 144,875 ? EUR  87,000 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Limerick , Ireland

THE world university rank:  401

AUD 187,838 ? EUR  112,800 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Structured PhD in Psychology

AUD 83,275 ? EUR  50,008 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Dublin , Ireland

THE world university rank:  134

AUD 59,399 ? EUR  35,670 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Doctor in Philosophy in Counselling Psychology

AUD 108,856 ? EUR  65,370 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD (Structured) Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Psychology)

AUD 96,184 ? EUR  57,760 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD (Structured) Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Psychology and Hea...

AUD 94,359 ? EUR  56,664 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

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