Child and Adolescent Mental Health (Taught)

On our MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health course, you’ll explore the key theories and principles that underpin the understanding, assessment, and support of mental health in children and young people. This programme is designed to equip you with the specialist knowledge, practical skills, and experience needed for a career in child and adolescent mental health.

The course combines hands-on experience through a work-integrated learning placement with a strong theoretical foundation in clinical psychology, developmental psychopathology, and child and adolescent psychiatry. You’ll examine how mental health issues manifest across childhood and adolescence, taking into account the influence of culture, identity, family dynamics, and social context.

Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with modules that develop your therapeutic and professional skills for working with young people, alongside critical explorations of how child and adolescent mental health is understood not only within the context of their experiences but in clinical practice, education, policy, and the popular culture.

Features and benefits

• Work-integrated learning - We offer you a 40-hour work-integrated learning opportunity or live project across a variety of sectors including charities and the private sector/industry where you will apply your knowledge and skills to solving real-world problems.

• Contemporary teaching - Our teaching staff includes practicing researchers and clinical, counselling and health psychologists, with experience across the NHS and private practices (in the UK and internationally).

• Enhanced student support - We strongly believe in enhancing student wellbeing. Each student has a Personal Tutor and the Programme Support Tutors work closely with students throughout the course.

• Research active department – The School of Psychology is home to Child, Adolescent and Parent Mental Health: Understanding Developmental Mechanisms research cluster alongside specific research interests of staff members including secondary trauma and psychological resilience

• Outstanding facilities - You’ll have access to our specialist facilities for psychology demonstration and practice, which includes EEG and fNIRS for brain imaging, and TMS and tDCS for non-invasive brain stimulation.