Psychological Therapies MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Clinical Psychology

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2027
Part-time intermittent study
  • MSc (ICL) | up to 6 years | Start date: September 2027

Key facts

School

School of Health in Social Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

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About the degree programme

This programme provides therapeutic training in CBT with a pathway for students who either:

  • already hold a core qualification, such as nursing (part-time programme)
  • are at the beginning of their clinical career (full-time programme)

The full-time programme provides a supervised placement for each student through our flagship university-owned Centre for Psychological Therapies, a training and research clinic providing therapeutic services to children and young people up to the age of 26 years.

Students who are already in a clinical post may make their own placement and supervision arrangements.

The programme provides CBT training. Full-time students also receive training in core clinical skills and mental health training.

Part-time students receive introductory courses for other therapeutic approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).

Each year, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression will affect 1 in 4 people, including 1 in 10 children, at an anticipated global cost of $6T by 2030. Psychological therapies, especially cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), provides a safe, effective solution to many of our most common mental health problems.

While our programme equips graduates with the therapeutic skills to work across all age groups, we have a special focus on children and young people, reflecting the clinical and research expertise of our programme team and wider department. This means that our teaching is developmentally-focused, considering systemic issues closely and encourages creative clinical approaches that are engaging and meaningful to children and young people.

Minimum training standards

The programme content and assessment is matched to British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Minimum Training Standards. By the end of the programme you will be expected to:

  • present formally and informally to others
  • communicate verbally with a diverse audience (such as with clients and their families, fellow clinicians, or members of the public)
  • participate fully as a team member

You will also need to adhere to the British Psychological Society and BABCP Codes of Conduct. More detail on the training standards and codes of conduct can be found under 'Assessment' in the Programme details section.

The programme is not BABCP-accredited, but graduates may apply for individual accreditation on completion of post-training requirements set out by BABCP. Further information on this appears under 'Accreditation' in the section on Careers.

BABCP Minimum Training Standards

Study options

The programme offers two options:

  • a two-year, full-time, 240-credit option
  • a part-time, 180-credit option

For both full-time or part-time, you will enrol for the MSc in Psychological Therapies, but depending on your chosen pathway may exit with:

  • Postgraduate Certificate
  • Postgraduate Diploma
  • MSc in Psychological Therapies
  • with a specialism in CBT, denoted in brackets after the main programme title (for example, PG Dip Psychological Therapies (CBT).

Full time

The full-time programme is aimed at applicants who are recent graduates or those looking for a change in career and who do not hold a core clinical qualification or equivalent. We welcome international students to our programme.

We provide a clinical placement and supervision to all our full-time students through the Centre for Psychological Therapies, on the basis of:

  • enrolment to the full-time programme 
  • a clean PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) certificate

The Centre for Psychological Therapies is led by applied mental health practitioners with extensive clinical experience. This is a highly supported placement experience, recognising that our students are novice, and are working with members of the public looking for mental health help.

All students attend a weekly clinical placement (2 to 3 days per week), delivering in-person and online therapy and receive weekly/fortnightly clinical supervision.

Centre for Psychological Therapies

We take applicants from graduate status and provide general clinical skills training and specific CBT training. Students entering this pathway will usually have gained experience during and/or after their undergraduate degree that involves the mental health and wellbeing of others. This may include a range of experiences in the education, health, social care, private or third (charity) sectors. These experiences will have given students exposure to diverse life experiences and challenges, the opportunity to support people with their mental health and wellbeing, and development of general professional occupational skills.

We especially welcome second-career students who bring diverse life and occupational experience that can be translated into therapeutic skills.

Meet the team

Part time

The part-time programme is aimed at applicants who already hold a core clinical qualification or equivalent and provides practitioner training in CBT and other therapies.

With a special, but not exclusive, focus on childhood and adolescence, the programme is suited to practitioners working with children, youth and adults.

For students who do not have access to their own clinical caseload the Centre for Psychological Therapies is able to provide placements and supervision at the on-campus clinic for an additional fee.

You will typically complete 60 credits each year, completing the MSc over three years, but the flexible programme structure allows you to take between 2 and 6 years depending on your own needs.

Academic teaching pattern

This programme is delivered on a non-standard academic timetable. This allows for completion of clinical placements and dissertation projects. 

  • First year students are expected on campus from September (welcome week) through to the end of June
  • Second year students are expected on campus from Mid-August through to the end of the academic year
  • Placements pause for the University’s winter closure, one week in spring and for six weeks over the summer

Programme benefits

  • The full-time programme includes an in-house clinical placement and supervision, so you will not need to organise and pay for your own in order to participate in the programme.
  • The only programme in Scotland with a special, but not exclusive, focus on children, young people and families. This opens up opportunities for our graduates to work in health, education, social care and third sectors involving children and young people.
  • We have a number of experienced clinicians and clinical academics teaching on this programme who have all worked in the NHS previously, and bring that wealth of experience to their teaching.
  • We have a wide range of research opportunities available through the dissertation element of this programme, with the full range of our Clinical and Health Psychology department available as potential supervisors for students on this programme.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time intermittent study

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

Supervision and placement costs (part-time only)

You should have access to an appropriately qualified supervisor. If you are currently employed in an NHS CAMHS post, we will provide you with a supervisor.

If you are not currently employed by the NHS, you must make your own supervision arrangements, and the supervisor must meet the course supervision competency requirements. Your tuition fees do not cover any additional costs associated with supervision.

If you do not have access to your own clinical caseload, the Centre for Psychological Therapies is able to provide placements and supervision at the on-campus clinic for an additional fee on top of your tuition fees.

Contact the Centre for Psychological Therapies

For the full-time programme, the cost of placement and supervision are incorporated into your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained 

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

Full-time Programme - Two years - 240 Credits

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in psychology, health or related subject. Your transcript should show evidence of learning in developmental psychology.

Your application must include evidence of basic experience of working or volunteering in a health, social care or justice setting.

You will be required to attend an interview to assess your personal competencies, experience, and suitability for the programme as part of our selection process.

Prior Learning and Exemptions

If you have completed postgraduate study in a related area elsewhere, you may be able to use your credits towards a programme of study here.  Please contact the admissions team to discuss any prior learning.

Part-time Programme - 180 Credits

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in psychology, health or related discipline.

You should be in possession of a UK-recognised core professional qualification (e.g. nursing, special education teacher, doctor, practitioner psychologist, social worker), with substantial current, or recent, work experience with relevant populations in mental health settings, and have access to a clinical caseload. You will be responsible for accessing an appropriate placement and supervisor, which meets clinical governance standards set out by the programme.

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may consider your application on the basis of your relevant professional qualifications.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

Teaching and supervision are provided by experienced clinicians and clinical academics.

The programme has close links with the NHS and community organisations, and we benefit from guest lecturers, especially in second year as more specialised and advanced skills are introduced.

Full-time programme structure

The first semester provides an intensive introduction to the foundations of clinical practice.

On successful completion of these introductory courses, students start their first clinical placement in semester 2, providing closely supervised CBT to children, young people, families and adult clients.

Part-time programme structure

Part-time students are aligned with full-time students for teaching content and placements, which run alongside each other.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time intermittent study

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Year 1

For full-time students, the first semester provides an intensive introduction to clinical practice with courses covering:

  • common mental health presentations
  • clinical assessment and formulation
  • ethics and governance 
  • psychological skills.

This is delivered through a range of lecture and workshop-style delivery using discussion and role plays.

Part-time students start their placement during semester 1 and full-time students join them at the start of semester 2, with all teaching combined.

The teaching that accompanies the first-year placement focuses on the fundamentals of CBT in theory and practice, and the application of CBT to children, young people and adults.

Year 2 onwards

In second year (or later for part-time students), teaching pivots towards specialist applications including adaptations for neurodiverse clients, close consideration of how CBT can be applied inclusively and in a culturally competent way, and applications to specific disorders such as OCD and psychosis.

Alongside this formal learning, more opportunities for peer supervision and reflective practice are provided as we support our students towards more independent practice.

Across all our teaching, we encourage a collaborative and participatory approach from our students, building critical thinking and reflective skills. This is to support our future graduates to enter into clinical practice with the skills and confidence to evolve mental health care to the changing needs of our world. To this end, our staff are approachable and supportive, committed to ensuring that every student has an excellent learning experience.

Assessment

We use a range of assessments that support your learning and which provide evidence to support a later application for accreditation. These include:

  • OSCEs (Observed Structured Clinical Examination) – these are live recorded simulations of clinical practice with actors that assess foundation clinical skills. These are conducted under exam conditions.
  • Recordings of all clinical sessions – these are used routinely in dyadic and group supervision, and submitted for formal assessment.
  • Group and individual presentations of academic and clinical material.
  • Written case studies and academic essays.

The dissertation is an individually written piece of work but the underlying research and accompanying supervision is conducted as a group.

Minimum training requirements

The programme content and assessment is matched to BABCP Minimum Training Standards. These set out the professional competences that you must meet by the end of training.

BABCP Minimum Training Standards

There is an expectation that you will be able to:

  • present formally and informally to others
  • communicate verbally with a diverse audience (such as with clients and their families, fellow clinicians, or members of the public)
  • participate fully as a team member

Your work will be recorded and assessment includes examination of live clinical practice.

The programme adheres to British Psychological Society and the BABCP Codes of Conduct. As a student on this programme, you are expected to adhere to these codes in addition to the University’s code of conduct.

If you have a disability that you think might impact your ability to meet some programme requirements, please contact the Programme Director before applying so we can discuss any appropriate support.

Learning outcomes

The programme equips students with advanced knowledge and critical understanding of:

  • psychological models of change as they apply to children, adolescents and adults, including principles of assessment and formulation
  • theories of normal and atypical cognitive, social, and emotional development as applied to therapeutic models
  • the empirical evidence for the effectiveness of psychological interventions with a number of the most common mental health problems within a developmental context

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Accreditation

This programme is not BABCP-accredited, but graduates may apply for individual accreditation on completion of post-training requirements set out by BABCP.

The BABCP provides a detailed set of Minimum Training Standards that our curriculum explicitly matches to. Graduates are eligible to apply for individual accreditation after accruing a specified amount of post-qualification experience. 

As part of the training programme we provide guidance on how to apply for accreditation and which programme documentation (for example, placement portfolios, marking sheets for clinical recordings) to use when applying for accreditation.

Graduates pursuing accreditation outside of the UK should check the criteria early on in their studies so that they are prepared in advance of completion. The programme team will provide confirmation letters on request.

BABCP updates its criteria periodically. Our matching process is always based on the current criteria, but we cannot guarantee that applications will meet future criteria.

Accreditation with BABCP assumes the applicant has a core profession, such as nursing, special education teacher, doctor, psychologist, or social worker. They also have a KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) route for applicants without a core profession. The first 60 credits of the full-time pathway maps to the KSA requirements.

Career opportunities

Graduates have gone on to gain employment in a range of services and settings including private practice, NHS Mental Health Services and mental health support in education. 

Others have gone on to pursue further postgraduate study including PhD and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Full-time applicants

Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.

Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we may make offers to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.

Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.

Selection deadlines
RoundApply byReceive decision no later than
1Thursday 7 January 2027Thursday 25 February 2027
2Thursday 25 March 2027Thursday 27 May 2027

Part-time applicants

To be considered for entry in September on the part-time version of the programme, you must submit a complete application by Monday 2 August 2027. 

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

Part-time applicants

  • You should be in possession of a UK-recognised core profession (for example, nursing, special education teacher, doctor, psychologist, social worker) and should have substantial current, or recent, work experience with children and young people in mental health settings. This should provide clinically relevant experience which may be acquired in statutory, third sector or private organisations.
  • You will need access to a clinical caseload and will be responsible for accessing an appropriate placement, which meets clinical governance standards set out by the programme. The Centre for Psychological Therapies can provide a clinical placement including supervision for an additional fee.
  • You should have access to an appropriately qualified supervisor. If you are currently employed in an NHS CAMHS post, the University of Edinburgh will provide you with a supervisor. Students from outwith the NHS must make their own supervision arrangements, and the supervisor must meet the course supervision competency requirements. The course fee does not cover any additional costs associated with supervision.

Interview

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview.

If you are invited to interview, your interview will take place online with, usually, two members of the programme team. We try to accommodate different time zones.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Following the interview period, all applicants to that round will receive an outcome. Applicants who are successful in receiving an offer may get an unconditional offer or may receive an offer that conditional on meeting specific entry requirements, such as English language.

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

If we give you an offer, you will need to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before you start this degree programme.

We will send you information on how to join the PVG scheme.

PVG scheme information on the Scottish Government website

If you live outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, or have spent more than one year living outside the UK, then you will need to provide proof from the relevant national authority.

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our Programme Administrator about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us

Academic contact

Dr Emily Taylor

Programme Director

  • School of Health in Social Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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