Doctor of Philosophy (Science) [MCP and PhD]

2025 applications open on 1 August 2024 Inherent requirements There are inherent requirements for clinical psychology study at the University of Sydney, including for both the MCP and the MCP/PhD. Applicants should review these inherent requirements to ensure they are able to successfully complete the course. Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills required to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course, while preserving the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The University welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors that impact on a student’s ability to meet the inherent requirements, the University will make reasonable adjustments to assist the student to meet the requirements. Admission requirements - Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four year bachelors degree with honours in psychology from a higher education provider, gaining at least an first class honours or equivalent. - The bachelors degree with honours must include a major research project and thesis as an essential part of the degree. - You must demonstrate to the Head of the School of Psychology (or delegate) your personal suitability for the practice of clinical psychology through your application, references and selection interview - Prior to applying, you must arrange a research supervisor from the School of Psychology, by contacting academics directly to discuss potential supervision. - You will be required to provide evidence of supervisor contact and acceptance. Once you have arranged a supervisor, you will be required to submit a research proposal to support your application. - Search for a potential supervisor with clinically relevant research areas via: - Research Supervisor Connect - School of Psychology Research Areas Non-Australian qualifications (if relevant) The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) provides information on APAC accredited psychology qualifications in Australia. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses non-Australian qualifications for APAC equivalence. All qualifications obtained from a non-Australian Higher Education Provider must be assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) before an application may be submitted. English language requirements (if relevant) Applicants must comply with the English language requirements of the University of Sydney ( a minimum of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band ). English language test scores must be less than two years old from course commencement. Applicants must also comply with the English language requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) . Additional English language requirements apply under the current AHPRA standards for registration. Where AHPRA standards are inconsistent with University of Sydney standards, the higher standard will apply. Applicants relying on primary, secondary and/or tertiary qualifications to satisfy AHPRA's English language requirements must provide documentary evidence to demonstrate completion of the qualification, language of instruction, duration and recognised country. Recognised countries include: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK or USA. English language requirements must be met by the application closing date. Selection criteria Admission is very competitive due to the large number of high calibre applications received and limited number of places available each year. All applications must be submitted by the application closing date. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered for the selection interview. Only top-ranking applicants meeting all academic admission requirements and selection criteria will be invited to attend a selection interview. In order to be competitive: - Within the Faculty of Science in the University of Sydney, first class honours is considered to be an overall fourth year/stage 2 result of no less than 80%. A minimum result of first class honours is required for entry into MCP/PhD. - The overall fourth year/stage 2 result includes fourth year/stage 2 units of study only. Results from the first three years of undergraduate study are not included in the calculation. - If you are unable to provide evidence of your overall honours result as a mark out of 100 (%) on your transcript or as a letter from your fourth year/stage 2 coordinator or administrator, your numeric GPA or non-numeric grade will be mapped to the lower end of the scale for ranking purposes. The selection interview aims to identify applicants who have a demonstrated interest in clinical psychology, an awareness of clinical issues, and are personally suitable for clinical practice, with sound interpersonal and relational skills. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate the capacity to achieve high levels of scholarship, to be responsive to diversity, and to handle the stress and demands of clinical training. We aim for our graduates to become emerging leaders in the profession, in clinical, research or academic contexts. The selection interview is usually held in the first week of December. Offers of admission will be made to qualified applicants on the basis of academic merit and interview, according to the admissions and selection criteria. Offers are usually made from mid-December. Admission requirements - Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four year bachelors degree with honours in psychology from a higher education provider, gaining at least an first class honours or equivalent. - The bachelors degree with honours must include a major research project and thesis as an essential part of the degree. - You must demonstrate to the Head of the School of Psychology (or delegate) your personal suitability for the practice of clinical psychology through your application, references and selection interview - Prior to applying, you must arrange a research supervisor from the School of Psychology, by contacting academics directly to discuss potential supervision. - You will be required to provide evidence of supervisor contact and acceptance. Once you have arranged a supervisor, you will be required to submit a research proposal to support your application. - Search for a potential supervisor with clinically relevant research areas via: - Research Supervisor Connect - School of Psychology Research Areas Non-Australian qualifications (if relevant) The Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) provides information on APAC accredited psychology qualifications in Australia. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses non-Australian qualifications for APAC equivalence. All qualifications obtained from a non-Australian Higher Education Provider must be assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) before an application may be submitted. English language requirements (if relevant) Applicants must comply with the English language requirements of the University of Sydney ( a minimum of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band ). English language test scores must be less than two years old from course commencement. Applicants must also comply with the English language requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) . Additional English language requirements apply under the current AHPRA standards for registration. Where AHPRA standards are inconsistent with University of Sydney standards, the higher standard will apply. Applicants relying on primary, secondary and/or tertiary qualifications to satisfy AHPRA's English language requirements must provide documentary evidence to demonstrate completion of the qualification, language of instruction, duration and recognised country. Recognised countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America or US Virgin Islands. English language requirements must be met by the application closing date. Selection criteria Admission is very competitive due to the large number of high calibre applications received and limited number of places available each year. All applications must be submitted by the application closing date. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered for the selection interview. Only top-ranking applicants meeting all academic admission requirements and selection criteria will be invited to attend a selection interview. In order to be competitive: - Within the Faculty of Science in the University of Sydney, first class honours is considered to be an overall fourth year/stage 2 result of no less than 80%. A minimum result of first class honours is required for entry into MCP/PhD. - The overall fourth year/stage 2 result includes fourth year/stage 2 units of study only. Results from the first three years of undergraduate study are not included in the calculation. - If you are unable to provide evidence of your overall honours result as a mark out of 100 (%) on your transcript or as a letter from your fourth year/stage 2 coordinator or administrator, your numeric GPA or non-numeric grade will be mapped to the lower end of the scale for ranking purposes. The selection interview aims to identify applicants who have a demonstrated interest in clinical psychology, an awareness of clinical issues, and are personally suitable for clinical practice, with sound interpersonal and relational skills. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate the capacity to achieve high levels of scholarship, to be responsive to diversity, and to handle the stress and demands of clinical training. We aim for our graduates to become emerging leaders in the profession, in clinical, research or academic contexts. The selection interview is usually held in the first week of December. Offers of admission will be made to qualified applicants on the basis of academic merit and interview, according to the admissions and selection criteria. Offers are usually made from mid-December. Inherent requirements There are inherent requirements for clinical psychology study at the University of Sydney, including for both the MCP and the MCP/PhD. Applicants should review these inherent requirements to ensure they are able to successfully complete the course. Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills required to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course, while preserving the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The University welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors that impact on a student’s ability to meet the inherent requirements, the University will make reasonable adjustments to assist the student to meet the requirements. Planning reference: missing 2027 requirements use the latest published requirements from 2026; newer explicit 2027 requirements take precedence.