Clinical Mental Health Sciences

The UCL Division of Psychiatry is pleased to offer this programme focused on clinical practice in mental health and its evidence base. The Clinical Mental Health Sciences MSc integrates biological, psychological and social perspectives on mental health and caters both for psychology graduates and for clinicians wishing to undertake a broad-based, rigorous and flexible higher degree.

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of current evidence regarding mental health problems and the interventions provided to address them, as well as enhancing their research skills. A wide range of options from across the School of Life and Medical Sciences at UCL allows students to tailor a programme that fully fits their needs.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of 1–2 core double modules (30–60 credits), 4–6 optional modules (60–90 credits) and a dissertation/report (60 credits).

A diploma may be awarded to students who complete the equivalent of 8 taught single modules, amounting to 120 credits.

A certificate may be awarded to students who complete the equivalent of 4 taught single modules, amounting to 60 credits.

Core modules

• Core Principles of Mental Health Research (double module)
• Clinical Mental Health (double module – compulsory only for those who do not have at least six months’ full-time experience, or the equivalent, of working in mental health settings).

Optional modules

• Students who take the Clinical Mental Health module will choose at least one option (15 credits) from the following:
• Current Research in Depression and Anxiety
• Current Research in Dementia
• Current Research in Learning Disability
• Current Research in Psychosis
• Mental Health Services – Policy, Design and Evaluation
• Culture in the Clinic
• Advanced Treatment and Management of Dementia (only to be taken if Current Research in Dementia has already been taken)
• Please note: Students who do not take the Clinical Mental Health module will select at least three modules (45 credits) from the above list
• Any UCL modules approved by the Programme Director can be selected to make up the remaining credit(s). Note that due to timetable clashes only one Institute of Child Health module may be taken by each student. Approved options, from across UCL, include:
• Ethnicity, Migration and Health (Department of Epidemiological and Social Methods in Public Health)
• Social Determinants of Health (Department of Epidemiology and Public Health)
• Higher Functions of the Brain (Institute of Neurology)
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Mental Health (UCL Institute of Child Health)
• Interventions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health – Psychological (UCL Institute of Child Health)
• Quality Improvements in Health (UCL CHIME)
• Neuroimaging: Introductory Science and Methods (Institute of Neurology)
• Neuroimaging: Imaging Modalities (Institute of Neurology)
• Treatment in Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Pharmacological (UCL Institute of Child Health)
• (Note that due to timetable clashes only one UCL Institute of Child Health module may be taken by each student)

NB: due to timetable clashes only one UCL Institute of Child Health module may be taken by each student.

Research project/report

All students undertake a final project. This may be a research project, to be reported as a paper of 6,000-8,000 words ready for submission to a specified journal, a blog of 1,000 words and a 20-minute talk, or a clinical project of 10,000 words reporting on a clinical topic or service evaluation.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops, with considerable use of supporting online learning. Assessment methods include one unseen examination, coursework including designing questionnaires and protocols and analysing data, giving talks and presenting posters, and a final report in the format of a journal paper or brief for clinicians or service planners.

Placement

The programme team support students in obtaining volunteer placements in relevant mental health care and research settings, but this is not a formal part of the course and is entirely optional.

An upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related scientific or social science discipline, or a professional health qualification (medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
Candidates who do not have at least six months’ full-time work experience (or the equivalent) in a mental health service setting or in clinical mental health research are required to take the Clinical Mental Health double module.