Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Taught)

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.

MSc
The MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical) aims to provide students with a high-level of expertise in applying evidence-based findings to clinical practice.

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 (Clinical).

The MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical) will allow you to benefit from the range of specialist teaching and to obtain a high-level of proficiency in implementing evidence-based treatment across a wide range of clinical presentations, and in disseminating these treatments as trainers and supervisors to other practitioners.

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

• appreciate how theory, research and clinical practice inform each other in cognitive behavioural therapy, contributing to its continued development

• establish and practise a repertoire of enhanced cognitive behavioural skills

• develop the ability to apply these skills with specialist patient groups and problem areas encountered in your own places of work

• establish and maintain warm, respectful, collaborative relationships, and develop the ability to understand and manage difficulties in the alliance (including your own contribution) using a cognitive conceptual framework

• through consultation, identify and resolve difficulties in practice, whether arising from theoretical, practical, interpersonal, personal or ethical problems.

You will be expected to have access to treatment settings with regular clinical and CBT supervision where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined on a regular basis.

PGDip
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a one-year course providing a comprehensive training in the core competencies required to become a competent CBT therapist.

If you have completed the PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Oxford and are intending to apply to start the PG Diploma within two years, please contact the Course Administrator for advice before you apply.

The course is designed to enable students to meet the minimum training standards for British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accreditation as a CBT psychotherapist. It is currently BABCP accredited at Level 1 and is seeking Level 2 accreditation.

Oxford is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in CBT research, practice and training. This PGDip has evolved from a course established more than 30 years ago and draws on an impressive body of local specialist knowledge and skill.

PGCert
The PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aims to equip practitioners with the CBT skills necessary to implement evidence-based treatment for the most common psychological disorders.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is part of a comprehensive CBT training programme at Oxford, which has been renowned for its consistent record of excellence in CBT practice, training and supervision over more than 30 years.

Oxford is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in CBT and the course draws on an impressive body of local specialist skill and knowledge.

For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas