Psychological Therapies MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Clinical Psychology Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2026 Part-time intermittent study MSc | 6 years | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School School of Health in Social Science College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Psychological Therapies Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme 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. Study options The programme offers two options:a two-year, full-time, 240-credit optiona part-time, 180-credit optionFor both full-time or part-time, you will enrol for the MSc in Psychological Therapies, but depending on chosen pathway may exit with:a PG CertificatePG DiplomaMSc in Psychological Therapieswith a specialism in CBT, denoted in brackets after the main programme title (for example, PG Dip Psychological Therapies (CBT).Full-time programmeThe full-time programme is aimed at applicants who are recent graduates or those looking for a change in career who do not hold a core clinical qualification or equivalent.We take applicants from graduate status and provide general clinical skills training and specific CBT training.The programme incorporates a clinical placement based at the Centre for Psychological Therapies which is led by applied psychologists with extensive clinical experience.Part-time programmeThe 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. Fees, costs and funding 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 MSc Psychological Therapies (2 years) tuition fees Part-time intermittent study MSc Psychological Therapies (6 years) tuition fees 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 TherapiesFor the full-time programme, the cost of placement and supervision are incorporated into your tuition fees. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs 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 moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore 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 Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications Full-time Programme - Two years - 240 CreditsA 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 ExemptionsIf 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 CreditsA 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 qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed 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 testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain 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): total 100 with at least 23 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. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. 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 oldThe 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 AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll 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 countriesWe 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-MESCHow old your degree can beIf 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 Programme details What you will study Full-time programmeThe first 60 credits of the full-time, 240-credit programme provide explicit training which covers the Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSA) requirements. 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 MSc Psychological Therapies (2 years) (2025-2026) Part-time intermittent study MSc Psychological Therapies (6 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Teaching and assessment Teaching Teaching and supervision are provided by experienced clinicians and clinical academics.The programme has close links with the NHS and community organisations, ensuring that students learn in a clinically informed context. 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 formulationTheories of normal and atypical cognitive, social, and emotional development as applied to therapeutic modelsThe 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 Careers and further study Accreditation Graduates of the programme are eligible to make individual applications for accreditation with British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP).Although the programme is not currently professionally accredited, individual courses are accredited by UK professional bodies, ensuring high quality standards and recognition by employers post-qualification. 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 degreesMoving 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying 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 applicantsDue 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.RoundApply byReceive decision by112 February 202630 April 202624 May 202630 June 2026Part-time applicantsTo be considered for entry in September on the part-time version of the programme, you must submit a complete application by 31 July. 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: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. ReferencesYou must submit one reference with your application.Part-time applicantsYou 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.Centre for Psychological TherapiesYou 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 For the full-time programme, you will need to attend an online interview (on Microsoft Teams) as part of the selection process. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MSc Psychological Therapies (2 years)MSc Psychological Therapies (6 years) After you apply 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 applicationWe 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 decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents 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 websiteIf you live outside the UKIf 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. Life at Edinburgh 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 programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf 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.SocietiesSport 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 Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Contact our Programme Administrator about your eligibility or how to apply. Contact us Phone:+44 (0)131 650 3037 Academic contact Professor Elizabeth Gilchrist Programme Director School of Health in Social Science College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences University of Edinburgh
