PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma) Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology
- PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma)
Overview
Our BPS accredited professional programmes in Clinical Neuropsychology are unique in being delivered in academic partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust.
Our Clinical programmes enhance your knowledge, skills and neuropsychological competencies, helping you to support those living with damage, disease or dysfunction affecting the brain. Our programme also support entry onto the British Psychological Society's (BPS) Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN). This diploma supports the adult knowledge and practice component of the competency requirements for entry to the SRCN.
This programme is largely online and can be taken from home or work. If you're interested in applying to this programme, you may wish to discuss the process with your DClinPsych team and find out how to apply.
How this programme works
This diploma is similar to our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology and delivers both a knowledge component (adult only) and a practice component required for entry to the SRCN. However, it allows you to bring forward learning and case experience from your DClinPsych to streamline and accelerate the postdoctoral training required to enter the SRCN. To be eligible to apply to this degree, you must be studying a DClinPsych at a UK University which has a collaborative agreement with the University of Bristol. You can find a list of collaborating institutions at the bottom of this page.
Knowledge component
The majority of our taught content is delivered by practising clinicians. On this course you will:
- Learn about a range of issues concerning neuropsychological practice with a focus on principles of assessment, formulation and rehabilitation.
- Gain a bio-psycho-social perspective through our teaching, recognising the contribution of biological, psychological and social factors in understanding the causes and consequences of brain injury and disease.
- Learn about neuroanatomy, neuroimaging techniques, and the latest theories of brain function.
- Gain the skills to evaluate research at the forefront of the field and understand the translation of theory and research to clinical practice.
Practice component
To accrue relevant clinical experience for the practice component, you must secure paid employment and supervision within a neuropsychology service during your enrolment. We offer support to help you build a case portfolio that meets SRCN competency standards. This support is provided by clinicians on the SRCN and offers:
- opportunities for formative feedback on case reports
- a practice viva experience
- a mid-study review of progress
- regular clinical practice workshops to facilitate peer discussion of cases and conceptual issues relevant to neuropsychological practice.
Programme structure
The programme consists of four taught units and a Clinical Practice Portfolio.
Taught Content
- Issues in Clinical Neuropsychology covers a range of issues frequently encountered in clinical neuropsychology. For example, pain and cognition, PTSD, performance validity testing and functional neurological disorders.
- Theoretical Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Methods covers theories of brain function (for example, emotion and cognition, language, and ageing). This unit also delivers a thorough grounding in neuroanatomy and neuroscience methods.
- Neurorehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Approaches within Clinical Psychology considers a range of rehabilitation techniques and places these in the context of the recovery journey. This unit also considers the interface between clinical neuropsychology and allied disciplines (such as neurosurgery, clinical imaging).
- Evidence Based Neuropsychology (EBN) and Case Study. The EBN component involves critical reviews of peer reviewed papers, and the Case Study component requires each student to review a clinical case in detail.
Practice Component
The Clinical Practice Portfolio meets the Practice Component requirements for entry to the SRCN. It includes submission of six case reports. At least one case report (maximum of two) formally undertaken within the DClinPsych can be used in the Practice Component submission (if sufficiently neuropsychological).
Please visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our Postgraduate Diploma in Theoretical and Practical Clinical Neuropsychology.
Entry requirements
You will typically need to be registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will typically be studying or have studied on an approved degree from one of our collaborating institutions (for the list of collaborating DClin programmes please see the School of Psychological Sciences website). If you have not studied at a collaborating institution but have completed the MSc Neuropsychology programme at the University of Bristol (discontinued in 2014) you will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
In order to meet BPS accreditation requirements, you must pass an online entrance assessment (comprised of two parts) set by the University of Bristol. The two parts are both weighted at 50% of the overall assessment mark, and applicants must score 50% or higher in the combined mark to pass. Applicants must be able to provide evidence of a minimum of six months' practice experience plus at least one case report (maximum of two) formally undertaken within the prior training programme of our collaborating institution. Please note: the first stage of application is to submit an Expression of Interest form to the School at postgrad-psychology@bristol.ac.uk
You must submit all required documents as detailed in the programme's Admissions Statement to be considered for review.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £14,800 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £23,600 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Funding and scholarships
NHS England now provides significant amounts of funding to support the costs of training in clinical neuropsychology. This funding can support both knowledge component and practice component requirements for entry to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).
The process of allocating and distributing funding to Trusts will be led primarily by NHS England regional colleagues and supported by Psychological Professions Networks. You are strongly encouraged to explore potential sources of funding which can be used for both September 2026 and January 2027 entry to this programme.
For further information on other potential sources of funding, please check our online funding search tool.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme is for those who wish to gain and demonstrate the UK's highest level of competence in professional clinical neuropsychology. It is designed to provide both the knowledge and practice competencies required for entry on to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN).
At present, this degree only provides training in adult clinical neuropsychology. It will not support paediatric training until entry for September 2027.
Research competency requirements for entry to the SRCN
Our courses delivering the practice component require evidence of research competencies meeting standards and requirements for entry to the SRCN. Therefore, the gap between completion of DClinPsych and this degree must normally be less than eight years, and anyone considering a significant deferral should contact us to discuss.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk