Our rankings
We're ranked 28th globally for psychology by the 2022 QS University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 4th globally for employability by the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Students commencing this course in Semester 1, 2021 are required to commence their studies in-person on campus. Remote study is not available for this course.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
The Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy (MCP/PhD) will open the doors to both a professional and research career in clinical psychology. The degree’s combination of clinical and doctorate-level research training will enable you to work around the world as a psychologist.
The MCP/PhD is ideal if you want to become a qualified clinical psychologist, but are also interested in a path into research or academia. In this double degree you will complete the coursework program, the Master of Clinical Psychology (MCP), as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research thesis.
The four-and-a-half-year course is structured so that MCP coursework is completed over the first three years (1st year is full-time MCP; 2nd and 3rd years are concurrent MCP part-time and PhD full-time) and the remaining three semesters are for full-time PhD studies.
Like the MCP program, the MCP/PhD includes a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical placements. These will be done both in our on-campus Psychology Clinic as well as in outstanding teaching hospitals like Westmead Hospital and the Children's Hospital at Westmead. And, with careful selection of clinical placements and additional clinical placements hours, MCP/PhD graduates can meet UK, European, US and Canadian standards.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Every year, we provide hundreds of scholarships, awards and prizes to students of all backgrounds and levels.
Tanya Sackville Memorial Scholarship
This course is not available to international applicants.
Read the Application Procedure Guide (PDF, 205KB).
Application deadline is 9am, Monday 24 October 2022 for 2023 admission.
Semester 1 (March)
Study plan
In first year, you will enrol full time in the MCP coursework units of study. In second and third year, you will complete the MCP coursework units and commence PhD research. In fourth and fifth year, you will be enrolled full time in the PhD. Upon completion of all requirements for both degrees students will graduate with a MCP/PhD award. Thesis submission requirements and examination procedure as set out in the Academic Board resolutions for this course and the Higher Degree (HDR) Rule.
Degree sample: Master of Clinical Psychology / Doctor of Philosophy
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Clinical Skills and Practice Treatment Across the Lifespan Assessment Across the Lifespan Research, Ethics and Professional Practice |
Case and Research Seminars 1 Placement 1 Health and Neuropsychology Specialised Areas of Practice |
|
| Year 2 | ||
| Full time enrolment in PhD Case and Research Seminars 2 Reflective Practice and Placement 2 |
Full time enrolment in PhD External Placement 1 Advanced Models and Seminars |
|
| Year 3 | ||
| Full time enrolment in PhD Research Project 1 External Placement 2 |
Full time enrolment in PhD Case and Research Seminars 3 Research Project 2 |
|
| Year 4 | ||
| Full time enrolment in PhD |
Full time enrolment in PhD |
|
| Year 5 | ||
| Full time enrolment in PhD |
||
Mandatory work component = 1200 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
There are inherent requirements for clinical psychology study at the University of Sydney, including for both the MCP and the MCP/PhD. Applicants should review these inherent requirements to ensure they are able to successfully complete the course.
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills required to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course, while preserving the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
The University welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors that impact on a student’s ability to meet the inherent requirements, the University will make reasonable adjustments to assist the student to meet the requirements.
The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) provides information on APAC accredited psychology qualifications in Australia.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses non-Australian qualifications for APAC equivalence. All qualifications obtained from a non-Australian Higher Education Provider must be assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) before an application may be submitted.
English language requirements (if relevant)
Applicants must comply with the English language requirements of the University of Sydney (a minimum of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band). English language test scores must be less than two years old from course commencement.
Applicants must also comply with the English language requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Additional English language requirements apply under the current AHPRA standards for registration. Where AHPRA standards are inconsistent with University of Sydney standards, the higher standard will apply.
Applicants relying on primary, secondary and/or tertiary qualifications to satisfy AHPRA's English language requirements must provide documentary evidence to demonstrate completion of the qualification, language of instruction, duration and recognised country. Recognised countries include: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA.
English language requirements must be met by the application closing date.
Admission is very competitive due to the large number of high calibre applications received and limited number of places available each year. All applications must be submitted by the application closing date. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered for the selection interview. Only top-ranking applicants meeting all academic admission requirements and selection criteria will be invited to attend a selection interview.
In order to be competitive:
The selection interview aims to identify applicants who have a demonstrated interest in clinical psychology, an awareness of clinical issues, and are personally suitable for clinical practice, with sound interpersonal and relational skills. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate the capacity to achieve high levels of scholarship, to be responsive to diversity, and to handle the stress and demands of clinical training. We aim for our graduates to become emerging leaders in the profession, in clinical, research or academic contexts. The selection interview is usually held in the first week of December.
Offers of admission will be made to qualified applicants on the basis of academic merit and interview, according to the admissions and selection criteria. Offers are usually made from mid-December.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who wish to be considered for admission under the Gadigal Program must additionally submit a Gadigal application. Eligible applicants may be given priority for the selection interview.
All applicants must provide references via the Psychology Reference System.
MCP/PhD applicants must provide two academic references.
Applicants must register with the Psychology Reference System to nominate their two referees online. Referees are then prompted to complete an online reference. Applicants must share the completed references with the University of Sydney via the Psychology Reference System.
The MCP/PhD provides a professional postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology.
In order to gain endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a Clinical Psychologist, following the completion of the MCP/PhD, graduates need to undertake a two-year full-time equivalent Registrar program.
In regard to international equivalency for accreditation and registration of the MCP/PhD, students are advised to contact the relevant accreditation and registration bodies in their own country for accurate advice.
However, with careful selection of clinical placements and additional clinical placements hours, MCP/PhD graduates may meet UK, European, US and Canadian standards.
The MCP/PhD is a path to professional specialisation in clinical psychology. By the end of this double degree, you will have the highly developed knowledge base and strong clinical skills needed to work as a professional clinical psychologist in many clinical and community settings.
The MCP/PhD is recognised by the NSW Ministry of Health as qualifying the holder for progression to the grade of clinical psychologist.
Upon graduation, students are eligible for membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and Associate Membership of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
