Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Distance Learning
- Fees
- Home: £12,250
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
Across the UK there’s a need for professionals of all kinds to gain expertise in psychological therapies. This course is an ideal next step for those who are already working in mental health, who want to go on to train as therapists, who want to complete research and those who work in related areas, such as social work, human resources or the voluntary sector.
On this MSc, you’ll have the opportunity to critically examine different approaches to understanding mental disorder. We’ll build your confidence in using psychological therapies but also develop your ability to understand the evidence base for these therapies – and assess which therapies might work for different types of disorder.
You’ll gain the knowledge to assess mental health problems, understand their origins and how to help recovery. You’ll learn about psychological therapies including individual cognitive behavioural therapies, cognitive analytic therapies, psychodynamic therapies, as well as group and family therapies.
Online learning students also undertake placements in a location convenient to them: your tutor will support you to identify a suitable placement.
You’ll also develop your research skills and complete a research project. By the time you complete the programme, you’ll be a skilled communicator, adept at expressing your ideas in spoken or written form.
This MSc is an academic course and does not lead to clinical accreditation.
Mental Health: Psychological Therapies is also available to study to Postgraduate Diploma PgDip level.
Additional costs
You may have to pay for travel to placements.
Some placement providers may ask you to provide your own DBS assessment, which will cost between £30 and £50, depending on the provider.
Structure
- Six compulsory modules
- Dissertation
Compulsory/Core modules
In this module, students will work on a piece of independently produced research relevant to their pathway, which can be clinical (based on clinical work), empirical (based on new research data) or synthetic (an evidence synthesis). Students will be assisted in topic choice and guided through the process by a personal tutor but will be expected to collect data themselves, or organise access to it, and write the thesis independently. Topics will be identified in consultation with potential supervisors draft from QMUL academic staff involved with the programme, and a topic list will be made available in Semester 1. Students will be asked to select three potential topics (with identified supervisors) and the module organiser will endeavour to facilitate students' first or second choices. Some topics may be broad enough to accommodate more than one student at a time.
This module provides students with knowledge about how mental health can be viewed in different contexts. From causal and protective factors to prevention, stigmatization, rehabilitation and social integration. It is also aimed at addressing contemporary issues, such as the impact of digital technology on mental health and the extent to which world crises can affect the onset and prognosis of mental illness. This module aims at enhancing critical thinking skills by giving the opportunity to reflect on the reciprocal relationship between the context and the individual. Issues or health inequalities, continuity of care and accessibility to mental health care are also addressed.
This module equips students with knowledge of core skills employed by Mental Health professionals in their workplace. The module maps out both classic and contemporary work in mental health settings and relates theory and research to practice, particularly in psychotherapy. Theory and research are drawn from a number of distinct areas, such as clinical and counselling psychology with a review of core mental health skills, such as assessment, diagnosis and formulation.
This module provides students with essential knowledge and skills about Applied Research Methods. The general aim is to equip students with transferable skills that can be either used towards completing an empirical project or conducting a systematic review.
This module provides students with practical application of Applied Research Methods. The general aim is to equip students with transferable skills that can be either used towards completing an empirical project or conducting a systematic review. There is no taught component in this module, except for 4 hours of tutorial sessions delivered on alternate weeks. These 4 sessions will be complementary to 5 tutorial sessions delivered in Semester 2 for Psychological Therapies:Paradigms and Systems and Psychological Therapies: applications and Effectiveness. The aim of these 4 tutorial sessions is to provide academic support for their completion of their Pilot study.
The module maps out both classic and contemporary work in mental health and relates theory to practice, particularly in psychotherapy. Research is drawn from a number of different therapeutic treatments, such as psychoanalysis, CBT, group and family therapy and 3rd wave therapies. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the effectiveness of each method and how these are used to treat a range of mental illnesses such as Psychosis, Depression and Personality Disorders. Students will be also submitting a reflective piece based on their clinical placement.
Elective modules
The Modalities of Psychological Therapies (MPT) module is designed for students who are interested in the range of mental health symptoms typically seen by psychotherapists. The syllabus covers key developments in psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioural and third-wave therapies, with a focus on the mechanisms of change in psychotherapy. As with all modules in this course, sessions are taught by academics and clinicians with expertise in psychological therapies. This module has the same credit value with the Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) module and irrespective of your choice you will be qualified with the same postgraduate award (MSc Mental Health: Psychological Therapies).
The Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) module is designed for students who are interested in a range of mental illnesses typically seen in secondary care. The syllabus covers lifespan illnesses, with a focus on biological factors and trauma-informed care. As with all modules in this course, sessions are taught by academics and clinicians with expertise in serious mental illnesses. This module has the same credit value with the Modalities of Psychological Therapies (MPT) module and irrespective of your choice you will be qualified with the same postgraduate award (MSc Mental Health: Psychological Therapies).
Assessment
- 67% Modules
- 33% Dissertation
Dissertation
You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-15,000-word dissertation. Recent titles include:
- Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective for young adults with major depression? A systematic review
- The efficacy of family interventions in relapse prevention in schizophrenia
- Art therapy: An effective adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia and schizophrenic-like illnesses? A systematic review
—This course covered a wide range of interesting and relevant topics that enhanced my critical thinking, reflexivity, and research skills. The flexibility of the course and the support provided also helped me successfully manage both work and study. The assignments were spread out (meeting the deadlines was manageable) and there was plenty of support available for my academic work and dissertation. The tutors were also very helpful and approachable. I now work in the NHS as a Trainee Clinical Psychologist, and I’m also completing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Saira Begum, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies Online MSc (2023)
Teaching
As an online learning student, you’ll meet weekly during term time (or every other week, if you study part-time) for online group tutorials, facilitated by your tutor. These mandatory group tutorials cover research supervision, problem-based learning (PBL), and other interactive exercises and discussions.
You’ll be able to access your class materials and lectures in an online learning environment.
To complete this programme you’ll need a standard PC/Mac with access to broadband internet connection, headphones, a microphone and a webcam.
If you’re a part-time student, you will take 3 compulsory modules in the first year (Mental Health in Context; Psychological therapies: Paradigms and Systems; Psychological therapies: Applications and Effectiveness) and the remaining 3 compulsory modules and the dissertation in year two. Part-time students thereby have additional time and flexibility to conduct research that needs a longer time-frame or to pursue other work or commitments.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Access to Queen Mary’s dedicated online portal, QMplus
- Access to video and audio recordings of all lectures and other online resources (journals, books and databases)
- Online group tutorials for role-play and interactive discussion
- Access to our campus facilities if you decide to visit at any point during your course
- Watch our video to discover online study at Queen Mary
About the Institute
Wolfson Institute of Population Health
This course is based at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, which delivers internationally recognised research and teaching in population health. The Wolfson Institute is a part of Queen Mary University of London’s faculty of medicine and dentistry.
The work of our researchers and educators has had a significant impact on lives across the world. We provide integrated teaching and training opportunities delivered by leaders in the field. By sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research, we will continue to advance population health and preventive medicine on a global scale.
Queen Mary is a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry proudly holds an Athena Swan Gold Award in recognition of our commitment to gender equality.
Career paths
This programme gives you a range of career options. It is ideal if you want to do clinical psychology or psychotherapy training, including IAPT services, in the future.
It is also tailored to people working in mental health care who want to advance their careers by demonstrating their expertise in psychological therapies.
Recent graduates have gone on to:
- complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, qualifying them to work as psychological wellbeing practitioners within the NHS
- further doctoral-level training in clinical and counselling psychology
- psychological assistant positions in the NHS and third-sector providers.
Our recent graduates are working in roles such as Assistant Psychologist, Academic Research Fellow, Advocate Multi-Disciplinary, Associate Mental Health Worker, Children and Young People Practitioner Trainee, Clinical Psychologist, Early Intervention Manager, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Psychotherapist, Social Therapist (Mental Health Nursing), Trainee CBT Therapist, Trainee Mental Health and Well Being Practitioner, and Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.
Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22
- 97% of Institute postgraduate taught graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (2021/22)
- 79% of Institute postgraduate taught graduates are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2021/22)
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £12,250
- Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
January 2026 | 2 years
- Home: £5,750
- Overseas: £12,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £6,150
- Overseas: £12,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in Psychology, Medicine or a related discipline.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the Wolfson Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.