Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology

What you will study

The Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology course comprises 100 credit points, involving the completion of nine subjects. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is worth 6.25 credit points.

Core subjects

Complete all of the following:

• Introduction to Assessment and Diagnosis
• Principles of Psychological Assessment
• Child Psychopathology
• Individual and Cultural Diversity
• Advanced Psychopathology
• Advanced Psychological Practice 2
• Advanced Psychological Practice 1
• Professional Placement (Clinical) 1 (18.75 credit points)
• Professional Placement (Clinical) 2 (37.5 credit points)

Entry requirements

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have one of the following:

• An accredited Master of Clinical Neuropsychology (or equivalent).
• An accredited Master of Professional Psychology (or equivalent).

You must also submit the following:

• A 500-word personal statement outlining your interest in this course.
• Two referee reports are to be submitted online.
• Documented relevant clinical work experience.
• Demonstrated proof of registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Besides meeting these entry criteria, shortlisted applicants must attend a selection interview.

Relevant clinical work experience would include work as either a General Psychologist or Clinical Neuropsychologist.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including recognised previous studies taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test.

If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS (Academic) – 7.0 overall, with no band less than 7.0
• TOEFL – 94+, with writing 27; speaking 23; reading 24; listening 24
• Pearson – 72+, with a written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 72
• Cambridge – N/A

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning). Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

As a student of the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology program, you will have the opportunity to undertake placements at the University of Melbourne’s internal clinic, where you will see real clients dealing with mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. You will then be able to put this real-world experience into practice in external placements. Through these placements, you will log many hours of supervised clinical work, which will help you achieve Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority (AHPRA) requirements for registration as a general psychologist. After graduation, you are eligible to apply for the registrar program of supervised practice, which can lead to endorsement as a clinical psychologist.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year fee in 2026: $18,992 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total course fee in 2026: $39,884 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.

Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of subjects studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of subjects.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.