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  • Postgraduate
  • Degree

Master of Clinical Psychology - Advanced Entry

How to apply
Entry requirements
Duration
  • 1 year (or part-time equivalent)
Location
  • External
Start
Fees
  • AUD 4,624
  • (Indicative annual fee)
Note: All coursework courses are offered via a combination of online workshops and mandatory 5-day residential schools held on-campus at UniSQ Ipswich.

Overview

  • Have you completed a postgraduate Psychology Masters (coursework) degree, or held General Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia for a minimum of 12 months? The first qualification of its kind in Australia, the Master of Clinical Psychology - Advanced Entry gives you the opportunity to fast-track your studies and training to gain a Master of Clinical Psychology qualification in just one year.
  • Learn how to apply evidence-based approaches as well as advanced ethical, legal and professional frameworks to clinical psychology practice.
  • Refine your skills in clinical intervention and learn to conduct comprehensive psychological assessments using various techniques and instruments.
  • Complete your coursework courses through a combination of online workshops and mandatory five-day residential schools held on-campus at UniSQ Ipswich.

 


Lecturers are supportive

My academic journey at UniSQ has been amazing, the lecturers are supportive and genuinely want students to do well. The ability to complete my degree entirely online, with learning that can be flexible around work and family commitments was what attracted me to UniSQ.

Nicole - Clinical Psychology

Career outcomes

Graduates of this degree can work as a fully registered General Psychologist in the public and private sectors, and as a Clinical Psychologist following completion of the Clinical Psychology registrar program.

Professional accreditation

The Master of Clinical Psychology – Advanced Entry is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a sixth-year program in psychology.

Graduates can apply for:

Why study Health at UniSQ?

Top uni

We've been ranked #1 in Australia by our Psychology students for learning resources and skill development.
(Good Universities Guide, 2025)

Join a growing industry

Be ready to pursue a diverse range of opportunities in a field where the demand for expertise continues to rise. 

Quality teaching

Rated 5/5 stars for health services and support teaching quality and student support.
(Good Universities Guide, 2025)

What you'll study

To graduate from the Master of Clinical Psychology - Advanced Entry, you must successfully complete 8 units of study.

Degree structure

A postgraduate university degree typically comprises of advanced coursework and research opportunities, allowing you to deepen your expertise in a specific field while building upon foundational knowledge.

Students are required to accrue a minimum of 750 hours of practicum experience, 300 of these hours must be direct clinical work, plus at least 47 hours of supervision from a registered psychologist who is accredited as a board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Students active in the MCPA prior to 2025 may require these courses to complete their program. Students admitted from 2025 onwards do not complete PSY8140 or PSY8150. Please consult with the Program Director prior to enrolment.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.

Degree requirements

All coursework courses are offered via a combination of mandatory online workshops and mandatory 5-day residential schools held on-campus at UniSQ Ipswich.

You will be required to accrue a minimum of 750 hours of practicum experience, 300 of these hours must be direct clinical work, plus at least 47 hours of supervision from a registered psychologist who is accredited as a board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia.

All students are required to meet the professional requirements of clinical psychology practice within the degree. 

Entry requirements

There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes. You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this postgraduate degree.

  • Have held General Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia for a minimum duration of 12 months
    or
  • completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited masters (coursework) degree or four-year bachelor degree in psychology (within the last three years).

In addition, applicants are also asked to submit the following for consideration as part of their application:

  • provide two referee reports and a 1-2 page report which addresses the selection criteria (PDF 83KB) 
  • be assessed in a face-to-face interview with a panel of School staff, including completion of the UniSQ Psychology Competency examination.
  • provide an academic transcript demonstrating strong academic performance
  • provide a CV of your work and study history. Applicants who have not completed a four-year bachelor degree or masters (coursework) in psychology degree within the last three years, will be required to demonstrate how they have maintained up-to-date knowledge and skills in the area of psychology.

Note: The Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request system is the same across all Australian universities. To be able to use the system, you will need to have an active membership. The membership allows you access the service during the application period and will expire in June each year. The subscription is $AUD55 (from 2026).

 

You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:

  • IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.

Entry pathways

There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.

Fees and scholarships

Commonwealth supported AUD 4,624
The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your degree, and you need to pay a student contribution.
  • This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (8 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee
  • This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
  • We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
  • Further details are available on the Fees website.

Additional costs

You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.

Placement courses may incur some additional costs, including uniform and equipment, transport to and from venues and, in some instances, living expenses, particularly for placements in rural and remote settings

Payment options

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.

UniSQ Scholarships

We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!

Find out more

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply
Degree code
MCPA

The application process for the Block 1 2026 intake is as follows:

Application process Date
The 2026 Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request system open Wednesday 9 July 2025
UniSQ applications open for the Block 1 2026 intake Tuesday 5 August 2025
Applications close Monday 1 September 2025
Final day to provide referee reports, selection criteria, curriculum vitae, and current academic transcript to be considered for the 2026 intake  Wednesday 3 September 2025
Arrangement of interviews will commence 
from Monday 22 September 2025
Interview period Tuesday 7 October to Thursday 9 October 2025
Offers will commence late November 2025
Block 1 study period start Monday 19 January 2026

We are dedicated to promoting diversity, fairness, and regional growth. We welcome applications from everyone, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from regional and rural Australia. Our ranking process ensures fairness by considering various factors, including academic performance. We understand the impact of educational disadvantages and encourage applicants to share their challenges and achievements. Each application is reviewed with a focus on equity, inclusion, and academic excellence.

Preparing to apply

You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:

Each degree has unique entry requirements so it’s essential to know the specifics for your chosen degree.

The entry requirements for your degree will provide you with details regarding the documentation to provide. These may include:

  • interviews and selection criteria
  • CV/resume or LinkedIn profile
  • referee reports.

Application dates can vary so be sure to check our key dates to get all the details.

Apply online directly to UniSQ for your chosen degree.

After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.

Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.

Find out more

Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.

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Email

Email us at study@unisq.edu.au

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Frequently asked questions

The entry requirements for a Master of Clinical Psychology Advanced Entry will vary depending on the education provider you choose to study with.

At UniSQ, to gain entry into the Master of Clinical Psychology (Advanced Entry), you must have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited masters (coursework) degree in psychology, or have held General Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia for a minimum duration of 12 months.

In addition, there are several other considerations that you are asked to submit with your application. Please view the entry requirements section of this page for further information.

Our Master of Clinical Psychology Advanced Entry is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a sixth-year program in psychology. Graduates can apply for professional recognition offered by several highly regarded organisations. Please view the overview section of this page for further information.

Graduates of this degree can work as a fully registered general psychologist in the public and private sectors, and as a clinical psychologist following completion of the clinical psychology registrar program.

Yes! You can study the subject theory of your Master of Clinical Psychology Advanced Entry online and complete clinical experience in person when required. This is known as an external study mode. We’ve been delivering distance education for over 40 years, so you can be sure that you are learning your psychology degree from the experts in online education.

Discover more about the different ways you can study at UniSQ.