Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice MSc

This MSc aims to encourage an integrated understanding of child development and a range of childhood disorders. It also gives students an opportunity to apply this understanding in a clinical setting through a supervised placement in the second year within a mental health service. The programme draws together theory, research and therapeutic thinking from a range of perspectives, including clinical and cognitive psychology, systemic thinking, CBT, psychoanalysis and neuroscience. Alongside working on a research project and learning about child mental health, students learn how to build therapeutic relationships, and carry out assessments and evaluation. These skills are put into practice during the clinical placement. This MSc provides a solid foundation for those wishing to pursue further clinical training or research or to apply for employment with the children's workforce. The programme is highly selective and takes a maximum of 20 students per year, so students with more relevant experience prior to application will be at an advantage.

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university in Psychology, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, and relevant experience working with children or adolescents. Relevant work experience could include professional or voluntary involvement with children (whether in mental health context or not), for example, as part of placements undertaken during undergraduate study, as part of a research project (e.g. interviewing children for research) or in a personal capacity (e.g. childminding or volunteering).