MSc Clinical Associate in Psychology (Apprenticeship)

The course is delivered on a semester pattern at LSBU, each semester being 12 weeks in duration. Students study six modules.

The course duration is 15 months full-time, taught one day per week over three semesters with five modules being taught in the first two semesters and a dissertation running through the summer and into the third semester. Final completion of the apprenticeship is subject to successful completion of the End Point Assessment.

A University credit is the equivalent of 200 student study hours. Each module is a self-contained part of the course of study and carries a 20 credit value, with the dissertation being worth 60.

Modules

• Assessment and Formulation
  This module focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of clinical assessment and formulation, including relevant interview schedules and questionnaires, as well as the ability to synthesise the information gathered into a comprehensive, transdiagnostic formulation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the communication skills required to share this understanding with patients and colleagues in a way that is accessible to those who do not have an education in psychology.
• Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence
  The module provides students with grounding in social and psychological factors involved in the development and maintenance of mental health difficulties. Students will be introduced to a number of key factors known to detrimentally affect mental health, including early life experiences, family dynamics, and social inequalities. In addition, students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which individuals have been known to experience and manage distress, according to psychological and social perspectives, as well as how community-based resources can be utilised to build resiliency.
• Mental Health and Community Psychology
  The focus of this module is on patient-centred care to promote patient safety. Nursing Associates need to learn how communication can influence practice as well as therapeutic relationships and how to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice to improve patient safety. It will identify the need for a range of alternative communication techniques to effectively manage, maintain and promote safe care. This module explores the actions a Nursing Associate takes to ensure that each person receives appropriate person-centred care, treatment and support.
• Professional Practice and Clinical Skills
  Students will be taken through an examination of the core components of the responsibilities in undertaking the care of patients, in terms of ethical considerations, confidentiality and matters pertaining to issues of power and diversity.  The different approaches required in relation to gender, culture, age, and history of trauma will be considered.  The impact of supervision and professional reflection are considered, as are the skills required in achieving treatment goals, including risk assessment, safeguarding and crisis management.
• Psychosocial Interventions
  This module introduces students to structured psychological approaches in the treatment of mental distress.  Students will extend their knowledge and understanding beyond basic competencies and into relevant interventions appropriate to their CAP role.  Particular emphasis will be placed on short-term, evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing maladaptive cognitions and behaviours outlined in the patient’s assessment and formulation.  Particular focus will be placed on the collaborative nature involved in empowering individuals to remain at the centre of their own treatment.
• Dissertation
  The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to independently design, execute, and write up a piece of secondary research in an area of mental health and clinical psychology.  This will include a systematic review and/or meta-analysis. Each student will be assigned a research supervisor who will supervise the student throughout the course of the dissertation from initial ideas to the final version of the written dissertation.

On successful completion, students will qualify for the title of Clinical Associate in Psychology.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

The course will be a mixture of lecture, tutorials and practical based exercises and will be assessed by a wide variety of methods including, written essays, case studies, presentations, and reflective logs.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who they will normally meet with once per semester. As an apprentice they will also be allocated a Skills Assessor who will be ensuring that regular progress reviews take place and that they are on track for completion of the apprenticeship.

Graduate basis for chartered membership for the British Psychological Society (GBC)

GCSE grade A-C in Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above)

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 226 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.

Funding

The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy. The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not). You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers

The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.

Bands

Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard. There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.

Incentives

Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government. All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government. You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.

Cost

You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website. To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at apprenticeships@lsbu.ac.uk

Field trips

Some modules include field with and site visits, which may be residential or outside the United Kingdom, ranging from three to five days. These are organised by the Division and students   are required to contribute towards the cost.  If there are any field trips or any course visits as part of your course, we will let you know in good time.