Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

DPhil

The part-time DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is offered by the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC) in collaboration with Oxford Lifelong Learning. Applicants are welcome from outside Oxford, and outside the UK.

This part-time DPhil is normally carried out over eight years, equivalent to four years of full-time study, although it may take less time in certain circumstances.

The chosen topic of a DPhil in CBT should have a significant focus on issues related to cognitive behavioural theory and/or practice.

You will be strongly encouraged to participate in relevant seminars and/or tutorials held within OCTC and when necessary, informal meetings with staff and other researchers. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research.

Studying part-time for a DPhil is demanding and students should normally expect to devote on average at least 20 hours per week to their research. Students should also ensure their employer understands the importance of full participation in the course.

As this is a part-time degree course, it is anticipated that you will have study facilities within your own place of work/research. It is also anticipated that you will have access to experimental facilities and subjects and that these will not be provided by Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC).

MSc

The MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Research) guides students through the process of developing and implementing an independent research project in their own clinical setting.

To apply to this course you must have already completed or be in the process of completing the University's PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Your Postgraduate Diploma will be subsumed by the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Research).

MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Research) is a two-year, research-based extension to the PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and provides a foundation for carrying out research and publishing an academic paper.

This course is designed to help you achieve certain aims. By the end of the course you should be able to:

• display knowledge and understanding of general research principles and methodology, and demonstrate how these may be used within your own clinical work, and in the design and completion of an independent research project

• interpret and evaluate theoretical literature relevant to the provision of cognitive therapy or cognitive therapy services

• use established bodies of knowledge as a basis for developing your own ideas for research

• understand the value of an evidence-based approach to psychological treatment, including the distinctive contributions of efficacy and effectiveness research trials to clinical practice, and the use of clinical audit and other service evaluation approaches

• show evidence of the capacity to apply knowledge of research principles and practice in designing and carrying out an independent research project, using appropriate methodology and analysing and discussing results

• use and interpret a variety of appropriate psychometric instruments to assess patient pathology and evaluate progress and outcome in treatment

• write clear and literate assignments (research project proposal and final dissertation) that comply with established conventions of presentation and referencing.