Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) (527CL) // Entry and participation requirements

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• within the last 10 years, an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate sequence in psychology (namely a three-year major in psychology as part of an undergraduate degree plus a fourth year Honours specialisation in psychology or equivalent) with a weighted average mark of at least H2A (75%) or equivalent. The weighted average is calculated one third from third year (Level 3) psychology subjects and two thirds from fourth year (Level 4) psychology subjects; and
• a personal statement of no more than 500 words; and
• two referee reports to be submitted online; and
• attend a selection interview (short-listed applicants only).

For applicants with results from the University of Melbourne for subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, the following will apply:

• A Psychology Benchmark will be established based on all psychology subjects completed any time other than Semester 1, Winter Term and Semester 2, 2020.
• Subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, for which results are lower than the Psychology Benchmark will be excluded from the entry score calculation.

The above changes do not apply to yearlong subjects undertaken in 2020; such results will be included in the entry score calculation.

In the case that applying this rule results in no eligible Level 3 and Level 4 marks for inclusion, then the Psychology Benchmark will be used as the entry score.

For external applicants, the benchmark will not apply and we will use numerical scores for all available level 3 and level 4 psychology subjects in the selection formula. Pass/fail grades will be excluded from the selection formula. In the case that excluding pass/fail subjects from the selection formula leaves either the Level 3 or Level 4 terms in the formula empty, the entry score will be the non-empty term (i.e., average of eligible Level 3 subjects if no Level 4 marks are eligible for inclusion; average of eligible Level 4 subjects if no Level 3 marks are eligible for inclusion).

For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusion of results based on the Psychology Benchmark does not apply to any study periods other than those listed above. 

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• suitability for clinical training as determined by the interview, personal statement and referee reports.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.

Notes.

• The weighted average is calculated one third from third year psychology subjects and two thirds from fourth year psychology subjects.
• Selection into the two Master of Psychology courses associated with a PhD place in Psychology requires the approval of the intended PhD supervisor, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and the Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
• Applicants must enrol in the Masters programme (Clinical Psychology or Clinical Neuropsychology) and then apply to articulate to the combined PhD programme towards the end of their first year in the Masters programme.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345). 

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements, Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Last updated: 27 February 2025