Please note: The official application deadline for 2013-2014 admissions has now passed. Application information for the 2014-2015 intake will be updated in due course.
This is a highly selective 2-year UCL international Masters programme, with the first year based at University College London and the second year based at Yale, New Haven in the USA. Typically 10 students are accepted each year. This unique programme equips students with an understanding of developmental neuroscience research alongside multiple perspectives on developmental disorders (such as autism, anxiety and conduct disorder) with a focus on cognitive and psychoanalytic perspectives. A substantial empirical research project completed by each student in the second year at Yale offers an opportunity to bring together diverse models and theories of development and acquire advanced research skills.
Year 1 Teaching
In the first year you will be based at The Anna Freud Centre in Hampstead, London. As a UCL student you will have access to the facilities of an internationally renowned university including library and computer facilities. The teaching in the first year comprises 11 mandatory modules, grouped into four streams, which are listed in the structure section below. These modules provide a foundation in developmental psychopathology, neuroscience research, statistics, psychoanalysis and normative developmental psychology.
Year 2 Teaching
While at Yale students complete two core modules in Advanced Neuromethods and Clinical Applications of Neuroimaging. These modules provide a solid grounding in how atypical patterns of neural structure and function relate to psychopathology, and helps students integrate cognitive, psychoanalytic and neuroscientific approaches. Students have many opportunities to attend additional ‘elective’ courses, ranging from neuroscience, philosophy, clinical science, research methodology and statistics. Formative teaching and workshops on psychoanalysis are also provided to encourage students to integrate their understanding. Students are encouraged to produce publishable findings from their research.
Click here to listen to what past students have had to say about the course
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Start date: |
October 2013 |
Content
Structure
Previous projects have spanned a broad range of populations and methodologies and have included:
- fMRI and social exclusion in autism
- EEG, narcissism and face processing
- mentalisation in adolescents: understanding addictions
- neurocognitive effects of cannabis and nicotine use in schizophrenia
- fMRI: the biological basis of risk taking and reward
- effective attachment based interventions for mothers in substance misuse treatment
Core Modules Year One
Foundations of Psychoanalytic Thought I: Freud and the Creation of Psychoanalysis
Foundations of Psychoanalytic Thought II: Anna Freud and the Contemporary Freudians
Development Psychopathology II: Development Disorders from Multiple Perspectives
Research Methods I: Introduction to Psychological Research
Research Methods II: Introduction to Statistical Analysis
Research Methods III: Evaluating Research Literature
Introduction to Neuroscience Methods
Affective Neuroscience
Multiple Perspectives on Child Development I
Multiple Perspectives on Child Development II
Evaluating Clinical Interventions
Core Modules Year Two
Advanced Neuroscience Methods
Neuroimaging and Clinical Applications
Research Thesis
Please click here for the full programme specification.
Application
Funding
UCL Scholarships
There is limited funding available to masters student through UCL, but more information is can be found here
Application
Entry Requirements
Please click here for more information about our English proficiency requirements.
Deadline for Applications
The official deadline is 14th June 2013 but we suggest applying by Jan/ Feb 2013 as this is a highly selective course.
Application Process
Testimonials
Please click here to listen to what past student have had to say about their experience on the course
I made the decision to undertake a degree in Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology because I wanted to be at the forefront of a new field that has the potential to link knowledge about the brain with our understanding of the mind. This first year in London also helped forged an awareness about the ways in which neuroscience and psychoanalysis can unite to form a special understanding of development. Being involved with a research lab at Yale during the second year has allowed me to apply my own ideas and create a unique research project. So far my decision has proved to be an extremely rewarding one, and I am confident it will continue to challenge me both intellectually and academically
Justin
I have found that the course offers a challenging and fascinating journey through multiple disciplines and their points of intersection. The two year programme has given me practical research experience in two leading research institutions. I have felt that, rather than being simply taught, we have been encouraged to think in order that we might contribute to this new and rapidly growing multidisciplinary debate ourselves.
Jo
Careers
Click here for a selection of published articles from prior students' MSc research while at Yale.
Contact
FAQs
Q. What kind of careers do people move into after the MSc?
A. Typically two thirds of the students progress to a PhD or a research post
following graduation. About a third take a more clinical route by starting a
clinical psychology training, usually at doctoral level. A minority of students
decide to pursue related careers, for example in scientific journalism.
Q. What kind of background do you look for in successful candidates?
A. Previously successful applicants have a strong academic background in:
- Psychology
- Medicine
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Related disciplines
Relevant research experience is also
highly desirable.
Q. Are fees payable for both years of the MSc?
A. Yes, fees are payable to UCL for both years of study. The first year fees for 2013-2014 are displayed on the course webpage. The fees for 2014-2015 are yet to be confirmed.
Q. Would I need to have lots of research experience to secure an offer?
A. Applicants are not required to have had extensive
research experience, but some familiarity with experimental work (e.g. data
collection, analysis and writing up) is important.
Q. I'm an overseas student. Where can I convert my grades to find out if I am eligible for the course?
A. You can find information on converting grades on the graduate admissions website under country information http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international-students/country-information/
Q. Am I required to take the GRE to qualify for the MSc?
A. No. Applicants do not need to take the GRE. This is not required as part of the
selection process.
Q. Do I need a specialist background in neuroscience to apply for this course? A. No. All prospective students will be expected to have an interest in neuroscience, and some applicants may have completed introductory courses at undergraduate level. Applicants will need to be able to speak at interview about their interest in neuroscience.
Q. Is it possible to do the MSc as a
part time student? (add on how many days a week they will be at uni)
A. The programme will be offered full-time only.
Q. Are there funds or grants within the
University or department which may be able to assist with the cost of the
course?
A. There are a variety of different funding options for both UK/EU and
International Students. For information on entry
scholarships and other sources of funding for Graduate students please go to the UCL Graduate
Scholarships page . To apply for funding it is necessary to have
filled in an application form for admission as a Graduate student before completing a
scholarship application form. Please note that the deadlines for scholarship applications are
strongly adhered to and no application will be accepted after the deadline date
indicated.
Scholarships Office
Address: Entrance Scholarships Office
Registrar's Division
University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
Click here to visit the UCL Graduate Scholarships page
Q. What happens if I fail an exam?
A. Candidates will be allowed to re-enter for assessment of an element of the
programme in the following session for
one occasion only.
Q. Do you accept mature students?
A. Yes, we accept students of all ages providing they meet the Graduate Admission requirements for Taught Masters in the Psychology Department. Please Click here for more information about the University's Equal Opportunities Policy.
Q. Do I need Health Insurance?
A. Students have access to National Health Service (NHS) provision whilst in the UK. Prior to going to Yale, students are required to ensure that they have adequate health insurance in place in order to meet visa requirements (if relevant) and requirements for admission to Yale. Some students may be eligible to apply for a UCL travel insurance policy.
Staff
Dr Eamon McCrory is the Programme Director for this course. Eamon is also the Head of Postgraduate Studies for all UCL courses at the Anna Freud Centre, as well as Consultant Clinical Psychologist and a researcher in Developmental Neuroscience at UCL. For further information please see: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychlangsci/staff/cehp-staff/e_mccrory
Professor Linda Mayes is the Programme Coordinator at Yale. She is a Director of the Anna Freud Centre, as well as the Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Paediatrics, and Psychology in the Yale Child Study Center. For further information please see: http://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/faculty_people/linda_mayes.profile
Page last modified on 27 jun 13 14:50 by Nicola A Simpson
