Overview

This online diploma is only available to students who live outside the UK and have an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related discipline.

Neuropsychology is the science linking the functioning of the brain with cognitive and emotional experience and behaviour. This degree is delivered in partnership with a regional department of the UK National Health Service (NHS).

The taught content of this diploma is identical to the taught content we provide when training qualified psychologists in the UK to specialise in clinical neuropsychology. The programme therefore delivers an authentic reflection of clinical practice. You will learn about a range of neuropsychological disorders and pathologies as well as focusing on principles of assessment, formulation and rehabilitation. The course will also develop your knowledge of neuroanatomy, brain function and techniques employed to study the human brain.

Around 80% of our taught content is delivered by practising clinicians, and alongside lectures you will engage in online tutorials with clinicians and academics. The programme will deepen your knowledge and skills in clinical neuropsychology and help prepare you for work or further training in a range of neuropsychology and clinical positions.

This flexible online programme allows you to avoid the costs of studying abroad, while the part-time option allows you to continue working and maintaining other commitments. All aspects of delivery are identical to the UK-based programme. All lectures are streamed live on the internet and recorded for you to replay at any point, and exams/timed assessments are online. Please see the Neuropsychology programme webpage for more information.

This diploma is also available as a Bristol-based programme, while our MSc in Applied Neuropsychology includes a research project as part of the degree.

Programme structure

The programme consists of five taught units:

  1. Applied Clinical Neuropsychology and Principles of Neuropsychological Assessment covers a range of common neuropsychological disorders and the principles of patient assessment and interpretation of neuropsychological tests (including change scores).
  2. 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.
  3. Theoretical Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Methods covers theories of brain function (for example, emotion and cognition, language, ageing). This unit also delivers a thorough grounding in neuroanatomy and neuroscience methods.
  4. 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).
  5. 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.

Please visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for the online Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Neuropsychology.

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Psychology, or a closely related discipline such as Neuroscience, or Clinical Psychology.

OR

If you have studied a joint degree, you will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent, with at least half of your degree content in psychology. You also need to have scored 60% or higher overall (or international equivalent) in your psychology content.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience such as assistant psychology posts, healthcare work in mental health, older adult service, learning difficulty services, head injury, or rehabilitation services.
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification in Psychology, or a closely related discipline such as Neuroscience, or Clinical Psychology.

Specific module requirements would still apply.

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.

Go to admissions statement

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
£11,300 per year
Home: part-time (two years)
£5,650 per year
Overseas: full-time
£14,100 per year
Overseas: part-time
£5,650 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

For further information on potential sources of funding please check the University of Bristol website which includes an online funding search tool. For UK students undertaking postgraduate programmes, there is a scholarship award available from the Grundy Educational Trust.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

This degree delivers core skills and knowledge related to the theory and practice of clinical neuropsychology. As such, it will support those with aspirations for further clinical training, such as clinical neuropsychology, or a career in clinical research. Our programmes also deliver training that will enhance your opportunities to gain employment within clinical environments. Please note that for the neuropsychology training on this Diploma to be recognised within the UK, you would also need to take a UK Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology that was professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society.

Graduates of our Applied courses who later become Practitioner Psychologists and are registered with the UK Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) can enrol on our supplementary certificate courses in clinical practice and have their prior Diploma course with us count toward recognition as a professional neuropsychologist. This opportunity requires HCPC registration as a clinical or counselling psychologist.

All countries face healthcare challenges associated with brain injury and disease. Conditions such as stroke and dementia are common, and their prevalence is increasing as people live longer. The need for clinical neuropsychologists could not be greater. We offer professional training to clinicians within the UK. This programme offers the same levels of training that could help you to address those challenges in your country.