The DPCP course has provided me with a well-rounded education in Psychology, with an outlook that is forward-thinking and requires critical thought. More importantly, it has taught me to value difference and diversity and its impact on one’s experiences - all this in a nurturing, friendly and positive environment. It has been my luck to have received this education from some fantastic lecturers and tutors who have always sought to aid my development, both as a student and as a person.
Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice, MSc
This two-year full-time programme combines multiple theoretical perspectives on child mental health with practical skills in working with children and families.
Programme overview
The MSc in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Practice is a two-year full-time programme offered by UCL, based at Anna Freud. The aim of the programme is to provide a framework for developing an integrated understanding of child development and childhood difficulties, and to give you an opportunity to develop practical skills for working with children and families in a child mental health service.
This programme draws together theory, research and therapeutic thinking from a range of perspectives, including clinical psychology, CBT, systemic theory, community psychology, psychoanalysis and neuroscience.
Course details
On this course, you will benefit from a mix of academic study and hands-on clinical experience, including:
Developing a framework that combines research, neuroscience, psychoanalysis, systemic and behavioural perspectives.
Studying child developmental psychopathology, with a focus on key disorders, taught by experts in child mental health.
Gaining experience through a clinical placement with children, adolescents and families under expert supervision.
Training in research methods and skills to evaluate and explore child mental health interventions.
Preparing for further clinical training, research, or careers in the children’s workforce.
Programme delivery
Teaching is delivered through lectures, small-group seminars, workshops, and clinical discussions, allowing you to connect theory, research, and practice. The clinical placement offers the chance to apply learning directly in a child mental health service, supported by supervision and peer reflection.
The first year is based primarily at Anna Freud, Kings Cross, London, where you will develop your core knowledge of child development, disorders and research methods, while beginning to gain practical experience of using clinical skills.
In the second year, you will undertake a clinical placement within a child and adolescent mental health setting, supervised by an experienced mental health clinician. Lectures and seminars continue during the second year, whilst you also work on completing your research project.
Who can apply
The programme is highly selective and takes a maximum of 20 students per year.
The MSc is offered as a two-year full-time programme only - there are no part-time or flexible study options. Overseas students would be expected to demonstrate a high level of written and spoken English.
How to apply
To apply, please see the UCL website.
Career prospects
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work with children and families in various therapeutic settings, or to undertake further doctoral-level clinical training. Some of our graduates may also pursue research careers, including PhD study.
Completing this MSc will help you develop several core clinical competencies and provide direct supervised experience of work in a child and adolescent mental health service, placing you in a strong position to proceed into further clinical training, such as Clinical or Counselling Psychology. Career prospect opportunities will vary depending on funding opportunities and eligibility criteria.
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Programme guide
DownloadTake a closer look at the UCL programme, including course content, teaching structure and entry requirements.
