Clinical Psychology (MSc)

IMPORTANT: Applications for February 2021 are discouraged

Please note: Applications for the master track ‘Clinical Psychology’ in February 2021 are discouraged. An exceptionally large number of students started this track in September 2020 and therefore a shortage of internship places is certain. Please note that the programme structure of this MSc track had to be adjusted to accommodate the current cohort. The mandatory courses will only be given once this year instead of twice.

Interested students are advised to consider alternative MSc tracks that are also clinically oriented:

• Health and Medical Psychology 
• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Clinical Neuropsychology 
• School Psychology 

These tracks offer similar intensive courses on diagnostic and intervention skills, combined with an (internal or external) internship. These tracks all prepare for the post-master education programme in health care psychology in The Netherlands, in a similar way as the Clinical Psychology programme. Please contact one of our study advisers for more information.

Rho von Liebenstein

Alumna

I graduated in 2015 and I am now working as a psychologist at GGZ Rivierduinen. My colleagues tell me I have a scientific way of thinking: research-minded, inclined to analyse and test before I draw a conclusion. I owe that to my education.

What does this master's programme entail?

Aim of the programme

The aim of this programme is to offer a balanced combination of theory and skills training – with regards to both psychotherapy and research. The specialisation prepares you for further training programmes to become a licensed practitioner in The Netherlands. The program may also be a suitable first step for a career as trainer or counsellor.

In this one-year program you will learn three things:

1. Clinical Interviewing: the skills and knowledge to conduct mental status examinations and to classify signs and symptoms into diagnostic categories.
2. Basic therapeutic skills: the skills and knowledge to organize and conduct therapeutic consultations.
3. Scientific thinking: the skills and knowledge to evaluate the scientific literature on clinical psychology; skills and knowledge to formulate research questions, design clinical research, analyse data and report on findings. 

Scientist-practitioner model

Clinical Psychology at Leiden University is a Master’s program at the interface of science and practice. The program is one-third coursework, one-third thesis, one-third internship. Please note that the current number of internship vacancies is insufficient and there is fierce competition among students.

The content of our teaching is informed by the department’s research program, which focuses on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, traumatic stress and personality disorders.

Theory is combined with practical clinical training in small groups (12 students). You will gain knowledge on the science of Clinical Psychology and also learn to apply this knowledge in assessment and treatment. The teaching staff consists of young and established researchers who are internationally visible and who contribute to the development of their field. Professional skills will be taught by experienced clinicians.

Professional career

This Master’s degree does not lead to an independent license to practice, but after completion of this program you will fulfil the requirements for further training to become a licensed psychologist (GZ-psycholoog) in The Netherlands. Please note that admittance to this 2-year post-master training is highly competitive and far from guaranteed. Graduates often need to gain several years of work experience first.

The requirements for further training and licensing might be different in other countries. Please check the local requirements carefully. We allow students to complete an internship abroad, provided the quality can be assessed and adequate supervision is available.

Finally, students may opt for a research internship and our graduates also qualify for PhD student positions.

Why Leiden University?