Studying Psychology and Trauma

Psychology and Trauma MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Study online, full-time or part-time

The Psychology and Trauma online postgraduate programme offered in collaboration with the Anna Freud equips students with an up-to-date evidence base in trauma theory and practice. Foundational modules focus on key theories in the field, refining your understanding of how exposure to traumatic events shapes an individual’s experience over the lifespan.

Find out more about the Psychology and Trauma MSc - sign up for updates about open days, fees and funding, how to apply and more.

Register for an open day

Choose from one of two routes

Focus on the impact of trauma on either adults or children and adolescents.

Students across both routes start their learning with a shared introduction to the field in ‘Foundations of Trauma Studies – a Lifespan Perspective’. This is followed by a ‘Introduction to Research Skills’, a module which is mandatory for MSc students and optional for those studying PG Cert or PG Dip.

MSc Psychology and Trauma (Adult)

Mental Health clinical educational and health psychology

MSc Psychology and Trauma (Adult)

This route provides you with the opportunity to explore the latest research evidence and applied practice related to the psychological impact of trauma in adulthood.

MSc Psychology and Trauma (Child and Adolescent)

Psychological research in the real world (Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology Lecture Series)

MSc Psychology and Trauma (Child and Adolescent)

This route provides you with the opportunity to explore the latest research evidence and applied practice related to the psychological impact of trauma in childhood and adolescence.

Sign up to an open day

Asquith Mature Student Bursary

This bursary is for those seeking to return to postgraduate study after some time away from education.

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Why study with us?

Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children and families. It has developed and delivered pioneering mental health care for over 70 years.
UCL is ranked first for research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience by the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with more than two thirds of our research in these areas rated as world-leading (4*)
UCL is 5th Best Global University in Neuroscience and Behaviour (US News Best Global Rankings 2025-2026)
We are ranked 6th in the world for psychology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
UCL is the 1st in Europe and 4th in the world for psychology (Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025)
We are ranked 6th in the world for psychology (Times Higher World University Rankings 2026 by subject)
We use our expertise to shape national and local policy. For example, Professor Peter Fonagy OBE is a mental health specialist member on a UK Parliament Expert Panel and our academics are part of a steering group convened by the Princess of Wales to examine how early life experiences shape the human brain

View our frequently asked questions

Have a question about the course? We’ve put together a handy list of commonly asked questions to help.

Find out more here.

Meet the Programme Directors

Learn about the academic leads behind our programmes.

Dr Talya Greene

Programme Co-Director (Adult route)

Talya specialises in the mental health consequences of exposure to traumatic events, combining psychological and public health expertise.

Read Dr Greene's academic profile

Assoc. Prof Clare Crole-Rees

Programme Co-Director (Adult route)

Clare has a particular interest in trauma-experienced adults and the views of trauma-experienced people and frontline staff working within criminal justice and mental health settings