Course summary

This course combines theoretical grounding in the psychological understanding and management of mental health issues with practical training in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. This MSc is aimed at providing you with an advanced and in-depth knowledge of mental health. You'll focus on common mental health disorders like depression or anxiety, but also have the chance to study more severe or complex presentations like eating disorders or psychosis. You'll also look at the value and limitations of current treatments for mental health. In this course, there is a strong focus on understanding mental health and wellbeing from a range of perspectives (cognitive, biopsychosocial, phenomenological). Moreover, the impact of mental ill-health will be examined with contributions from people with lived experience, and we will also highlight the importance of patient and public involvement in research and service provision. This course will provide the skills and knowledge you need to start on a clinical or research career path in mental health. The course is based on the scientist-practitioner model, which is founded on the idea that clinical psychologists should be knowledgeable in both research and clinical practice. Therefore, the MSc could be a stepping stone to professional training in clinical psychology such as a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The course won't provide you with a qualification to act as a clinical psychologist (for which you need to complete an accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course in the UK).