Ever since losing its taboo, mental health has been rapidly evolving in every imaginable field, especially education. People are either researching the topic themselves or helping others out by getting a professional degree in the discipline. And Dubai, being an up-and-coming education hub for international students, is a popular choice. So if you are thinking of pursuing a career as a therapist, then Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai can help you take the first step forward. This blog will act as your guide in discovering top universities offering the course, their tuition fees, admission requirements and much more. So get ready to dive in as deep as the human psyche with us!
Discipline | Clinical Psychology |
Top Universities | American University of Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Zayed University, Gulf Medical University |
Levels Available | Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Diploma |
Tuition Fees | AED 30,000 – 50,000/year (for Diploma programs) AED 70,000 – 120,000/year (for Masters program) AED 100,000 – 150,000/year (for Doctorate programs) |
Scholarships for International Students | Available |
Admission Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a closely related field (social work, neuroscience) from an accredited university. A GPA of 3.0 or more |
English Requirements | TOEFL – 60 – 80 IELTS – 6.5 – 7.0 |
This Blog Includes:
Why Study Clinical Psychology in Dubai?
So what makes the Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai stand out from the rest? The UAE government invests a considerable budget in R&D and colleges providing the course.
Students can also benefit from the international Psychology and mental health conferences held in the city from time to time. It will help them establish and expand their professional network and employment opportunities in the field and broaden their horizons.
Also, learning with people from different backgrounds can help students increase their cultural competency on a global level. Last but not least, the UAE government has taken numerous measures to tackle mental health issues and spread awareness among the masses.
It introduced the National Program for Happiness and Wellness in 2018, intending to promote mental health awareness and wellness in the nation. With the country being this dedicated towards the cause, it will surely spare no expense in educating aspiring learners for a thriving career in the field!
Also Read: Top Architecture Courses in Dubai for International Students: Colleges, Masters, Short Courses
Top Universities Offering Clinical Psychology Courses in Dubai
There are numerous national and international universities offering Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai. These are some of the top-ranked universities in the world and the country known for their high-quality education in the Psychology discipline. Here’s a list with the official rankings:
University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
UAE University | 261 |
Canadian University Dubai | 523 |
Zayed University | 621-630 |
University of Birmingham, Dubai | – |
Heriot-Watt University, Dubai campus | – |
Middlesex University Dubai | – |
Murdoch University in Dubai | – |
Clinical Psychology Courses & Tuition Fees
Generally, students seek Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai at the Master’s or PhD Level. However, here’s a list of courses in the discipline available at various levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD) in the country’s top institutes, along with their tuition fee.
Undergraduate Clinical Psychology Courses in Dubai
Bachelors in Clinical Psychology in Dubai is generally of 4 years in duration. Most universities in Dubai offer BA or BSc degrees in Psychology with a focus on clinical psychology. They provide a strong foundation in the scientific study of human behaviour and mental health.
Course | Offered By | Tuition Fees |
BA in Psychology | United Arab Emirates University | AED 57,000 |
BA in Psychology | Canadian University Dubai | AED 63,000 |
BSc Psychology | Zayed University | AED 80,000-100,000 |
BSc Psychology | University of Birmingham, Dubai | AED 126,309 per year |
BSc Psychology with IF (Integrated Foundation) year | University of Birmingham, Dubai | AED 109,145 (Integrated Foundation)+ AED 126,309 per year |
BSc Psychology (Hons) | Heriot-Watt University, Dubai campus | AED 66,142 per year |
BSc Psychology with Counselling Skills (Hons) | Middlesex University Dubai | AED 59,947 per year |
BA Psychology | Murdoch University in Dubai | AED 56,400 per year |
Clinical Psychology Masters in Dubai
Several esteemed universities in Dubai boast accredited Master of Science (MSc) programs in Clinical Psychology, equipping students with the theory and practical skills to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Further, these programs typically span 2 years, with rigorous coursework and supervised clinical experiences:
Course | Offered By | Tuition Fees (per year) |
MSc in Clinical Psychology | United Arab Emirates University | AED 31,200 |
MSc in Counselling Psychology | Zayed University | AED 63,000 |
MSc Clinical Health Psychology and Wellbeing | Middlesex University Dubai | AED 86,100 (total fee) |
Clinical Psychology Doctorate Dubai
A PhD in psychology is usually of a duration of 36 months in Dubai with an average annual tuition fee of AED 81,900.
Course | Offered By | Tuition Fees (per year) |
PhD Psychology | Heriot-Watt University, Dubai campus | AED 81,900 per year |
Also Read: Bachelor’s Degree in UAE: Online Degree, Jobs, Courses, Top Universities
Admission Requirements
While each of the institutes above may have different entry requirements for their Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai, here are some general guidelines for the same. For more course-specific criteria, students must check the official course page of their chosen university:
Academic Requirements:
Check out the academic criteria you need to meet for Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai:
- A bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related field (Social work, Neuroscience and so on) from an accredited university.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
English Language Requirements:
Here are the English language requirements one must fulfil:
- TOEFL – 60 – 80
- IELTS – 6.5 – 7.0
Learn about the Top Psychology Courses in UAE for International Students
Documents Required
While applying to study Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai, students must have the following documents at hand. Keep in mind that these documents are general requirements. Moreover, to find the course-specific documents, applicants must check the respective course pages on the official university websites:
- Academic Transcripts
- Degree Certificate
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of Passport
- 2 letters of recommendation
- English Language Proficiency scorecards
Scholarships
Universities also offer numerous scholarships to international students if they enrol in any of the Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai. The UAE government also provides financial assistance as its way of supporting mental health awareness among people. Here are some of them:
- Chancellor’s Fellowship
- Graduate Administrative Assistantship
- Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Sports Scholarship
- Zayed University International Student Scholarship
- Master’s Scholarship for International Students
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist in Dubai?
You can become a clinical psychologist in Dubai. However, you need to fulfil the basic requirements for the same. Some of the skills and qualifications you need to possess for the job role are as follows:
- You must have completed either a Master’s or doctoral studies in clinical psychology
- At least 3 years of work experience (if you possess a doctoral degree), or 5 years of experience (if you have completed a master’s)
- Generally, organisations in Dubai prefer those who have obtained educational qualifications from Australia/UK/US/South Africa
- You also need a license to work from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
- Expertise in any of the following areas is preferred.- Parenting, Working with children (under the age of 12), or Psycho-educational Assessments.
Career Scope
Since the UAE government invests significantly in the mental health sector, students can expect a plethora of exciting opportunities after completing their Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai.
The average salary of a psychologist in Dubai is around AED 131,000 per year. Entry-level psychologists having less than a year’s experience can expect an average salary of AED 90,000 per year, while those with 5-10 years of experience can expect AED 153,000 per year.
Psychologists with 10+ years of experience earn a whopping AED 195,000 per year!
In addition, here’s a list of job profiles that students can expect to take after their graduation:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Specialist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counselling Psychologist
- Crisis Intervention Counselor
- Forensic Psychologist
- Family Therapist
- Geriatric Care Manager
- Healthcare Administrator
- Life Coach
- Neuropsychologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- School Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Substance Abuse Counselor
FAQs
Ans. Here’s a breakdown of various Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai available for international students:
1. Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (MSc)
2. Diploma in Clinical Psychology
3. Postgraduate Certificates
4. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology
Ans. While entry requirements will vary for each program and institution, here are some general prerequisites for Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai:
1. Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
2. Strong academic record
3. English language proficiency
4. Entrance exams (may be required by some universities)
5. Work experience in a mental health setting (may be preferred for some programs)
Ans. The demand for qualified clinical psychologists is growing in Dubai, fueled by increasing awareness of mental health issues and a multicultural population seeking diverse therapeutic approaches. In addition, career opportunities abound in various settings, including:
1. Hospitals and clinics
2. Schools and universities
3. Government agencies
4. Private practice
5. Research institutions
Yes, You can work as a psychologist in Dubai. That is, if you have completed your MSc in Psychology and have obtained relevant work experience. You also need to get a Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) license to work as a psychologist.
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We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the Clinical Psychology courses in Dubai. Start following Leverage Edu today to discover more courses and destinations to study abroad. Thank you for reading!