Early Child Development and Clinical Applications, MSc

This two-year full-time MSc programme (formerly known as MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology) provides a comprehensive understanding of early child development through a range of theoretical and clinical perspectives.

View the programme guide

Programme overview

This two-year, full-time MSc provides a comprehensive understanding of early child development, drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives - including psychoanalysis, developmental psychology and neuroscience -alongside current clinical approaches.

Students have the opportunity to apply this knowledge through:

a supervised clinical placement, typically within the NHS, Anna Freud, or other external charities and organisations,
a two-year longitudinal observation of a baby in their home,
a substantial research project.

Programme aims

The programme aims to provide a multi-perspective theoretical grounding in early child development while developing practical observational and clinical skills for working with children and parents in the early years.

It encourages thorough engagement with a specific area of knowledge, building the skills required to conduct reliable and valid research.

In addition, it enhances the ability to integrate theory, clinical practice, and research, ensuring a well-rounded and evidence-informed approach to early childhood work.

Programme delivery

The programme’s theoretical modules are taught through a combination of weekly lectures and workshops to discuss the readings and lecture material.

Observations are discussed in small groups led by an experienced psychoanalytic clinician. Clinical placements are supervised by clinicians, normally psychoanalytic clinicians. Clinical competencies masterclasses are taught by experienced clinicians with various approaches.

Research projects are carried out under the guidance of an individual research supervisor. The modules outlined above are complemented by the Integration and Development Seminars, which run across the two years and aim to help students better integrate the diverse knowledge and skills taught throughout the MSc course, necessary for future clinical and academic careers.

Teaching will be primarily based at Anna Freud at the newly built Centre of Excellence in Kings Cross, London.

Who can apply

This programme is ideal for those:

Planning to work, or already working with infants, children and families, who wish to deepen their theoretical understanding and enrich their clinical practice.
Wishing to proceed to child and adolescent or adult psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy training, or a doctorate in clinical, counselling or educational psychology.
Interested in developing a career in academia/research with children and families or progressing to a PhD.

How to apply

To apply, please see the UCL website.

NHSE funding

NHSE Funding may be available to improve equity of access and inclusion for Black, Asian and minority ethnic entrants and financially disadvantaged candidates. Applications for NHSE funding have now closed.

Career prospects

The MSc forms an excellent basis for careers in clinical work, research and academia. Graduates can apply their degree in a variety of settings.

Detailed knowledge of early child development and its impact on later stages of life, as well as supervised clinical practice, benefit graduates who wish to go on to work with children and families in therapeutic, clinical and educational settings. Learned skills in observation and self-reflection are essential for future careers in adult or child psychotherapy.

Graduates can be admitted onto professional doctorates, such as in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology or Educational Psychology. The programme is a recognised pre-clinical course which provides the theoretical and observational requirements to apply for the clinical training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy at a training school of the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Mixed-methods research skills gained on the programme equip graduates for work as Research Officers or Assistants, or for further PhD studies.