GUIDANCE FOR THE PREPARATION OF ESSAYS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
DOCTORAL PROGRAMME IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
1. Essays required
Academic competence is normally assessed by an essay in three clinical areas covered by teaching and clinical placement
from the following:



work with adult psychological problems
work with older adults
work with child and adolescent psychological problems OR work with people with learning disabilities
and a fourth concerned with professional issues.
Candidates may identify their own essay titles, which should then be confirmed as being appropriate by the Programme
Director.
2. Topics
In the selection of essay questions, it must be borne in mind that there should not be substantial overlap in topic content
with other pieces of assessed work, i.e. the Report of Clinical Activity and the Small-Scale Project. If in doubt, consult the
Programme Director or Academic Director.
3. Structure of the essay
3.1. Abstract
An introductory schematic abstract of up to 250 words should be included and does not form part of the word count.
3.2. Subsections
Essays should be broken down into subsections, with headings (e.g. Introduction, Theoretical Review, Conclusions, etc.).
3.3. References
Care should be taken to ensure that references are complete and should include full details of cited secondary references.
4. Content of the essay
Answers must reflect the question as stated and attend to all the issues raised within it: questions will normally involve the
relation of different aspects of an issue and a critical review based upon evidence and on the arguments of leading figures
in the field.
The development and expression of a reasoned personal perspective, especially if originality and innovation are involved,
will be supported by the examiners.
Very brief examples from candidates' clinical work are acceptable where clearly relevant. Care must be taken to preserve
the anonymity of the client.
It is important to include discussion of the professional issues raised by the question.
5. Plagiarism
Essays must be the candidate's own work. Plagiarism is unacceptable and will be treated very severely in accordance with
University policy.
6. Word count
The submitted essays are required to be between 4,000 and 5,000 words excluding abstract and references.
7. Number of copies
Candidates are required to submit each essay electronically. The essay title page should give the student identity number,
essay title, Programme name, date, year of entry to Programme and an accurate word count. The essay title page should
also include the area of work (e.g. work with people with learning disabilities) and the type of work submitted (in this case,
an essay). The essays should be typed with double line spacing. Each report should be paginated and follow the Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication
Manual (6th Edition). Washington, DC: Author. See; http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx.
Summarised details are given in Appendix 18, and full copies of the Manual are available in the Clinical Office and the
Hartley Library.
8. Submission and marking
The essay will be submitted electronically, by 11.00pm on the date listed on the submission timetable. Each essay will be
marked anonymously by one assessor, usually a member of the Programme team. A grade will normally be decided within
six weeks of submission.
A sample of essays will be sent to the External Examiner for comment on the examination process prior to the relevant
meeting of the Board of Examiners.
9. Marking criteria
Candidates are referred to the Marking Criteria and Guidance for Assessors of Essays (Appendix 6).
10. Copies of essays
One copy of each essay will be kept by the Programme as a record and training resource. Candidates' names will not
appear on this copy. Candidates are advised to keep an additional bound copy of their essays for their own records of work
completed.