World-leading interdisciplinary centre for mental health research and teaching
The Division of Psychiatry at UCL is one of the largest departments specialising in mental health in the UK and we deliver innovative teaching that is relevant to clinical practice. We use our expert research and education, and our clinical knowledge and experience, to improve mental health within society.
Study
We are one of the largest departments specialising in mental health in the UK and deliver innovative teaching that is relevant to clinical practice.
Research
Our research is wide ranging, covering mental health, neuroscience, palliative care, epidemiology and applied clinical research.
About us
We use our expert research and education, and our clinical knowledge and experience, to improve mental health within society.
Research Excellence Framework
UK #1
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*)
Find out moreCourse spotlight - Mental Health Sciences Research
Mental Health Sciences Research MSc
Receive hands on training in mental health research from leaders in the field. This MSc course is designed for clinicians and those with experience in clinical or clinical research settings.
Discover our featured research
Empathy might be retained in Alzheimer’s disease
People with Alzheimer’s disease may retain their ability to empathise, despite declines in other social abilities
Genetic links with bipolar disorder identified
In the largest genome-wide study of bipolar disorder to date, an international team has identified 298 regions of the genome containing DNA variations that increase risk for the disorder.
Personalised hearing support shows promise in protecting brain health in older adults
A personalised intervention for hearing care could help protect cognitive health in older adults at risk of dementia, according to a pilot study.
News
Poorer heart health in middle age linked to increased dementia risk
People with signs of damage to their heart during middle age are more likely to develop dementia in later life, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
06 Nov 2025
Antidepressants improve core depressive symptoms early on
One of the most common antidepressants, sertraline, contributes to a modest improvement in core depression and anxiety symptoms, including low mood, within two weeks, finds a new analysis of a major clinical trial led by UCL researchers.
30 Oct 2025
Neighbourhood trust benefits some but may increase mental illness risk in others
Living in a neighbourhood where people trust each other is linked to an increased risk of severe mental illness among people from ethnic minority groups, despite the opposite being true for white majority populations, finds a new study in Sweden led by UCL researchers.
24 Oct 2025
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02 Dec
in person
The Human Genotype-Phenotype Map: A resource to map pleiotropy and improve causal inference13:00 - 14:00
