Early Child Development and Clinical Applications, MSc

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About this programme

In the first year, based primarily at Anna Freud with some teaching at UCL, you will develop your core theoretical knowledge of early child development. Alongside this, you will begin to develop practical skills through a research project and a parent-infant observation, while integrating the knowledge and skills taught throughout the course in a series of workshops.

In the second year, you will undertake a supervised clinical placement in a clinical setting, working with young children and families. Lectures and seminars continue during the second year, while you also continue working on your own research project.

Who should apply

This programme is ideal for those who:

• Plan to work with infants, children and families, and who wish to deepen their theoretical understanding and develop clinical skills.

• Plan to proceed to child and adolescent or adult psychoanalytic/psychodynamic psychotherapy training, or a doctorate in clinical, counselling or educational psychology.

• Wish to develop a career in academia or research with children and families, or to progress to a PhD.

• Want to enrich their existing practice with children, young people and families in settings such as the NHS, schools or third-sector organisations.

Teaching and modules

The programme’s theoretical modules are grouped into ‘families’ and taught through a combination of weekly lectures and workshops, allowing students to consolidate their learning by discussing 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 are complemented by the Integration and Development Seminars, which run across the two years. These seminars help students better integrate the diverse knowledge and skills taught throughout the MSc course, which are necessary for future clinical and academic careers.

Developmental Foundations

These modules provide the developmental foundations for the programme. Three modules - one each term - offer a multi-perspective understanding of early child development and the impact of the early years on later life. A further module introduces Psychoanalytic Theories of Infancy and the Caregiver-Child Relationship. Running across all three terms, students also undertake a two-year parent–infant home observation, developing observational and self-reflective capacities that are key for therapeutic work.

Science and Practice

These modules provide an understanding of how psychoanalytic theories, neuroscience and developmental research are applied to current clinical work with parents and babies. Topics include applied psychoanalytic concepts, preventive mental health, psychopathology from multiple perspectives, and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in early years practice.

In Year 2, Clinical Competencies masterclasses and a supervised clinical placement allow students to apply their learning from Year 1 and develop clinical skills in practice.

Research

Both formative and assessed Research Methods modules expose students to quantitative and qualitative methodologies and data analysis techniques, including training in SPSS. Developing these skills enables students to conduct their own research project across the two years and write up a journal-type research paper.

Fees and funding

UCL tuition fees are payable per year of study. This is a two-year, full-time programme.

• UK students (2026/27): £16,800 (published fees for year one)

• International students (2026/27): £39,200 (published fees for year one)

Further information on UCL’s fees (including fee status, fee increases, fee schedules and additional costs) can be found on the UCL prospectus page.

For more information on funding your studies, visit our bursaries and scholarships page.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this course, please apply on UCL's website.

This is a popular course, so applications may close early and ahead of the deadline indicated. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• what particularly attracts you to this programme

• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous programme

• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

• about your experiences of working with children and young people (whether in a professional, voluntary or personal capacity).

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver and to discuss and reflect on your experiences and learning.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found on UCL's application fees page.