Early Child Development and Clinical Applications, MSc

NHSE Funding available to improve equity of access and inclusion for Black, Asian and minority ethnic entrants and financially disadvantaged candidates. For more information contact: earlydev@annafreud.org. 

This programme provides a comprehensive understanding of early child (i.e. prenatal to 5 years) and later development through a range of theoretical and clinical perspectives. While the MSc has a predominantly psychoanalytic approach, it integrates current research from developmental psychology and neuroscience. Students can apply this understanding in a) a supervised clinical placement usually within the NHS, Anna Freud, or external charities/organisations, b) a two-year observation of a baby in their home, and c) a substantial research project. This two-year full-time MSc programme (formerly known as MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology) has undergone changes to bring it up to date with current research and clinical practice.

Career prospects

The MSc forms an excellent basis for careers in clinical work, research and academia so students who successfully complete it 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 clinical practice, would benefit graduates who wish to go on to work with children and families in different therapeutic and clinical settings, or in educational settings. Graduates may also be admitted onto professional doctorates, such as: Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology or Educational Psychology.

The skills in observation and self-reflection are essential for future careers in adult or child psychotherapy. The programme is a recognised pre-clinical course which provides the theoretical and observational requirements to apply for a clinical training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy at a training school of the Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Moreover, research skills gained on the programme would equip graduates for work as Research Assistants or for PhD studies.

Further Information

For more information about this programme, please visit the UCL Website. You can also view our Programme Guide here.

Events

We will be hosting a webinar for this programme on Wednesday 6th December 2023, as well as an open evening at Anna Freud on Thursday 18th January 2024. Please click here for more details. Please click here for more details.

Contact

For all enquiries related to this programme, please contact the Programme Officer.