Doctor of Psychology
Overview
The Doctor of Psychology is for practitioners who aspire to excellence and leadership in the profession of clinical psychology.
This 4-year full-time program is intended for those who aspire to excellence and leadership in the profession of clinical psychology. The program entails a substantial empirical research thesis, specialist placements and advanced professionally oriented coursework.
During the program, you'll complete coursework covering clinical skills and assessment, professional, ethical and interpersonal competencies, and evidence-based practice. You'll also receive advanced training in clinical reasoning and research to develop your understanding of clinical psychology and effective therapeutic practice.
You'll undertake a substantial research thesis which will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge to deeply investigate your area of specialisation and build the foundation for your professional reputation and career.
During your studies you'll complete at least 1500 hours of supervised clinical practice. These placements will give you an opportunity to apply your knowledge, broaden your clinical experience and develop your professional skills in a real life setting.
The program is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia as providing suitable training towards eligibility for general registration as a psychologist. This program also has full accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Program highlights
- Broaden your clinical experience by completing at least 1500 hours of supervised clinical practice.
- Establish your professional reputation through a research project and dissertation.
- Learn from academics and staff who've made major contributions to the field.
- Join the largest school of psychology in Australia.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Fieldwork
Placements and work experience
Students will undertake 1500 hours of supervised clinical practice in areas such as child and family, clinical neuropsychology and older adults. During their placements, students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework and research to practice and develop their clinical skills in real life settings.
Further information about clinical placements is available from the School of Psychology.
Students may be required to undertake clinical placements outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area and students are required to fund their travel, accommodation and daily living expenses.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Acceptance and Commitment therapy
- Behavioural Family Intervention
- Clinical Leadership and Supervision
- Doctor of Psychology Dissertation
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Clinical psychologist
- Clinical neuropsychologist
- Clinical geropsychologist
Graduate salary
Psychology (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Next steps after graduation
Graduates from the clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychology specialisation typically work in hospital-based assessment services and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.
Clinical geropsychology provides opportunities for work in aged-care assessment teams, long-term care facilities and community-based programs.
Graduates typically take leadership roles in healthcare settings across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including:
- hospitals and health clinics
- community and support groups
- mental health organisations
- private practice
- schools and educational institutions
- government services and health departments
- defence forces
- courts and prisons
- rehabilitation centres
- aged-care facilities.
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian Psychological Society
- APS College of Clinical Psychologists
- APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists
Professional registration
When you graduate, you may be eligible for registration with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to register.
- Psychology Board Of Australia
Program accreditation
The Doctor of Psychology is accredited by:
- Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
I chose to do a Doctor of Psychology at UQ because it has a good research background and will be a great stepping stone for me to practise as a psychologist. The lecturers and UQ Psychology Clinic staff provide an excellent learning environment that is supportive and encouraging.
I chose to do a Doctor of Psychology at UQ because it has a good research background and will be a great stepping stone for me to practise as a psychologist. The lecturers and UQ Psychology Clinic staff provide an excellent learning environment that is supportive and encouraging.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
Applicants must be eligible for provisional or if applicable, full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Applicants with non-Australian degrees must have their qualifications assessed by the APS.
Applicants must be eligible for provisional or if applicable, full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Applicants with non-Australian degrees must have their qualifications assessed by the APS.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.
TOEFL PB - Overall 600, listening 59, reading 59, writing 64/6.
Pearsons - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.
CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.
BE and OET are not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Psychology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
Irrespective of professional background, entry to the program will be considered on the basis of previous academic study, experience and personal qualities.
Detailed application requirements can be found on the School of Psychology website. Applicants must submit via the Online Application a Psychology Additional Information form, academic transcripts, and CV. In addition, two references will need to be submitted using the Australian Psychology Post-Graduate Program Reference Request System. For further information regarding the reference system including costs, visit www.psychologyreference.org.
Shortlisted candidates are required to undertake an interview. Offers will be made on the basis of academic achievement, references and interview. There are limited places available for this program. A limited number of places are available for suitably qualified applicants on the basis of equity and students identifying as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are encouraged to apply.
All successful applicants are required to apply for and gain provisional registration or if applicable, full registration, with the Psychology Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements. Students must have registration prior to commencing their study and this must be maintained for the duration of the program.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.
Additional application information
This program has limited intake capacity.
Applicants must submit a certified copy of their transcript and/or degree certificate and must nominate three referees and include the Psychology Additional Information form with their application.
Shortlisted candidates are required to undertake an interview. Offers will be made on the basis of academic achievement, references and interview.
All successful applicants are required to apply for and gain provisional registration or if applicable, full registration, with the Psychology Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements. Students must have registration prior to commencing their study and this must be maintained for the duration of the program.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
It allows you to specialise in neuropsychological theory and practice in the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioural disorders associated with dysfunction of brain processes or head injury.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
It allows you to specialise in neuropsychological theory and practice in the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioural disorders associated with dysfunction of brain processes or head injury.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$31,200
2023
$31,200
2023
Reduced fee (CSPs)
We offer a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for this program based on academic merit. We allocate CSPs based on academic merit after the closing date for applications and before Orientation.
$4,124
2023
$4,124
2023
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $44,688
2023
AUD $44,688
2023
Additional costs
- Students are expected to fund travel and living expenses associated with placements, some of which may be outside the Brisbane metropolitan area.
- Psychology Board of Australia Registration (approx total for 2 years $1000)
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Doctor of Psychology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Doctor of Psychology pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Doctor of Psychology is 5614.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Doctor of Psychology is 5614.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - September 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - September 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
Express yourself. And your interest.
They say choosing a degree is hard, which is why we've made it easy. Register your interest and we'll send you everything you need to know about applying to UQ.