Course summary
The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is for graduates of a four-year accredited psychology program. It interweaves supervised research (which accounts for around two thirds of the degree) with professional training and supervised placements. Under academic supervision you will be trained in the skills of independent research through the submission of a PhD thesis.
Supervised practice and structured learning provide a 5th and 6th year that meet the requirements for general registration as a psychologist, and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the Psychology Board of Australia. You will develop your thesis with the guidance of an expert supervisor and have some flexibility in the configuration of course work, clinical placements and research. Typically, coursework is completed in years one, three and four, with a sustained research focus throughout.
What you will study
The program provides a comprehensive program of study of the professional practice of psychology including assessment, intervention, communication and ethics. It also provides specialised training and supervised practice in the assessment and intervention skills of clinical psychologists.
Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, workshops, skills training, on-line and supervised work-based practicums, both at the University's Northfields Psychology Clinic and at external placements. The emphasis is on skills training and includes demonstration sessions, audio-visual recording of assessment and therapy, case presentations, role-play activities and feedback and reflection.
You will also undertake substantial supervised research that makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge in clinical psychology.
Course information
Study area
Psychology, Research
Campus
Wollongong
Course Code
209
-
Duration
4 years full-time (10 sessions inc. 2 Summer Sessions) or part-time equiv.
Delivery
On Campus
Cricos
003002G
UAC Code
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.
For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have successfully completed a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, APAC-accredited sequence in psychology, within the last 10 years, with an Honours degree of at least Class II Division 1 (or equivalent 4th year qualification) to be a successful candidate for the Clinical Psychology Program.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:
- commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
- contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
- conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.
Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Application Information for Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychology webpage. Here you will find step by step instructions and additional supporting documentation required to complete your application.
RECORD CHECK
The NSW Health Dept requires all staff, including students undertaking clinical placements, in positions dealing with children and patients vulnerable by reason of health status to undergo a criminal record clearance prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW Health System. This clearance will be conducted by the NSW Police Service and will be co-ordinated by NSW Health following enrolment.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Wollongong | On Campus | $18,528 (2024) | $148,224 (2024) |
Most postgraduate research degrees are covered by the Federal Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have successfully completed a four year, or three year plus a fourth year, APAC-accredited sequence in psychology, within the last 10 years, with an Honours degree of at least Class II Division 1 (or equivalent 4th year qualification) to be a successful candidate for the Clinical Psychology Program.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:
- commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
- contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
- conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.
Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Application Information for Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychology webpage. Here you will find step by step instructions and additional supporting documentation required to complete your application.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
94 |
24 |
27 |
24 |
23 |
UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing (ARW) and 75 in Academic Listening and Speaking (ALS))
Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.
RECORD CHECK
International students are required to provide an official criminal record clearance, in English, from their home country PRIOR to their arrival in Australia.
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Wollongong | On Campus | $19,104 (2024) | $152,832 (2024) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.
Applicant background |
2023 intake |
2023 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
ATAR PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.
|
ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 |
ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. | Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)
More Information
For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2024 Autumn | Wollongong | Orientation: 20 - 22 February 2024 Applications Close
Please refer to the School of Psychology for application procedures. |
Course Structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course HandbookAccreditation & professional recognition
The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a 5th and 6th year program of study for the purpose of full registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Why choose this course
The UOW School of Psychology offers excellent facilities and staff to support education and opportunities for research.
The Northfields Psychology Clinic located on campus provides training and supervision in clinical psychology through a psychological service to the community.