Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Psychology

1. Clinical Psychology : Introduces the scope, history and theoretical foundations of clinical psychology, including biopsychosocial perspectives, psychological wellbeing, distress, clinical services, multidisciplinary practice and contemporary approaches to psychological care.

2. Psychopathology : Examines major categories of psychological distress and mental disorder, including anxiety, mood, psychotic, personality, eating, substance-related, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive presentations across different populations.

3. Assessment : Develops understanding of clinical interviewing, behavioural observation, psychometric concepts, assessment purposes, information gathering, cultural considerations, limitations of assessment tools and appropriate use of assessment information within professional boundaries. Current BPS guidance emphasises that psychological assessment should have a clear purpose and be grounded in appropriate theoretical and evidence-based frameworks.

4. Formulation : Develops knowledge of psychological formulation as a collaborative process that integrates psychological theory, evidence, developmental history, strengths, social circumstances, cultural factors and other relevant influences to understand presenting difficulties and inform intervention planning.

5. Interventions : Examines major psychological intervention approaches, including cognitive behavioural, behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic and integrative perspectives, together with treatment principles, therapeutic relationships, outcome evaluation and appropriate referral pathways.

6. Lifespan and Neuropsychology : Covers psychological development across the lifespan, cognition, neurological influences on behaviour, neuropsychological conditions, developmental factors and their implications for psychological assessment, formulation and support.

7. Risk and Professional Practice : Examines safeguarding, confidentiality, consent, professional boundaries, clinical risk, ethical decision-making, multidisciplinary communication, documentation, equality, cultural responsiveness and quality assurance within psychological services.

8. Research and Service Evaluation : Develops skills in literature searching, critical appraisal, research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, data interpretation, outcome measurement, service evaluation and evidence-based improvement.

Successful learners can develop:

• Strong knowledge of clinical psychology concepts.

• Understanding of psychopathology and psychological distress.

• Knowledge of psychological assessment principles.

• Ability to analyse case information using formulation frameworks.

• Understanding of major psychological intervention approaches.

• Lifespan and neuropsychological awareness.

• Knowledge of risk, safeguarding and ethical practice.

• Evidence-based psychological research skills.

• Service-evaluation and outcome-measurement capability.

• Improved multidisciplinary communication and professional documentation.

The programme reflects the scientist-practitioner emphasis within professional psychology, including critical engagement with evidence, assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. HCPC standards require practitioner psychologists to use evidence-based practice, critically evaluate research and contribute to quality improvement

The qualification is suitable for:

• Psychology graduates or learners with relevant prior psychology study.

• Assistant-level psychological-support personnel.

• Mental-health support professionals.

• Healthcare workers seeking structured knowledge of clinical psychology.

• Psychological-services administrators and support staff.

• Professionals working in community, wellbeing or mental-health environments.

• Learners preparing for further study in psychology or related disciplines.

• Professionals seeking knowledge of psychological assessment, formulation and intervention models within an appropriate scope.

Assessment Format: Written knowledge examination combined with clinical case studies, psychopathology analysis, assessment exercises, formulation assignments, intervention-model evaluations, professional-practice case studies and research/service-evaluation assignments.

Total Questions: 60 Questions

Passing Score: 70%

Duration: 120 Minutes

Certification: Successful learners receive the HiQual UK Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Psychology, subject to the qualification's approved assessment and quality-assurance requirements.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK Level 5 Diploma in Clinical Psychology may progress to:

• HiQual UK Level 6 qualifications in Psychology, Mental Health, Counselling, Behavioural Science or related disciplines.

• Further study toward Level 7 postgraduate psychology programmes, subject to the receiving institution's admission requirements.

• Specialist CPD in psychological assessment, mental-health support, evidence-based interventions, safeguarding and psychological wellbeing.

• Support and assistant-level roles within psychological, mental-health, healthcare and community services, subject to employer requirements and professional scope.

• Preparation for applications to appropriate higher-level psychology training pathways, noting that this qualification does not guarantee admission to regulated practitioner-psychology training.