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Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice PG Dip

Distance learning programme

This PG Dip programme is a unique opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of child mental health and psychopathology, with a special focus on childhood trauma. You will explore core concepts, theories and models of current, evidence-based practice, taught by world-renowned experts in psychological, developmental, neurobiological and clinical sciences.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£9,400
£4,700
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£21,400
£10,700
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 26 Jan – 30 Jun 2023
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.

Alternatively, a lower second-class honours degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard will be considered if supported by professional experience in a relevant setting.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme will provide you with comprehensive overview of child mental health introducing core concepts, theories and models of current evidence-based practice. It brings together psychological, developmental, neurobiological and clinical perspectives - including systemic, cognitive and psychoanalytic approaches. You will learn about how and why mental health problems can emerge, how they impact children and young people, and you will be introduced to a range of clinical and non-clinical approaches to both prevention and intervention. The course intentionally brings together multiple perspectives in understanding emotional development and the role of relationships and the systems around a child or young person. There is a particular emphasis on the impact of trauma and adversity, and how such experiences can impact children.

You will develop a core understanding of common mental health difficulties as well as controversies and challenges around classification and diagnosis. You will also learn about the child and young person within their social world and the role played by parents/caregivers, family, peers and community and how the brain is shaped and influenced by experience.

You will further have an opportunity to undertake optional modules in: (i) clinical intervention approaches (including CBT, Mentalisation and Psychoanalytic approaches); (ii) mental health within education settings; and (iii) the impact of trauma and adversity. These latter modules will be likely of particular interest to teachers and those working within social care settings respectively.

This programme is specifically aimed at those professionals engaged in direct work with young people, particularly within non mental health settings.

Examples might include social workers, teachers, community and health professionals. The material comprising evidence-based theory and practice is relevant for a global audience. The course has been designed so that you will be able to learn flexibly via an online, distance learning mode.

Who this course is for

This course is specifically aimed at professionals working with children and young people, who wish to develop and advance their knowledge of child mental health. Examples might include professionals within the social care, education, community, or health sectors.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Students will learn how neuroscientific, systemic, cognitive, and psychoanalytic approaches can be applied to understanding psychopathology in childhood, and delve into the causes and impacts of mental health problems in children and young people. Additionally, students will be introduced to a variety of clinical and non-clinical methods for preventing mental health issues in young people. The course is delivered online, offering our students maximum flexibility while still fostering a stimulating and engaging global learning community.

This course will enable graduates from the programme to develop an understanding of core mental health concepts in relation to working with children and young people. This includes an understanding of pathways to both risk and resilience and prevention and intervention strategies from multiple perspectives. A particular focus of learning is on the influence of trauma and adversity on child development and mental health.

The course will build your confidence in understanding and supporting child mental health within your current area of work. For interested candidates, it could also lead to further training and development opportunities with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

UCL Psychology and Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language. We are 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*).

Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources, including state-of-the art neuroimaging equipment.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Employability

This course is aimed at professionals working with children, who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in supporting child mental health. This could be anyone who works with children, such as those in the social care or health field, youth or community sector, early childhood or education sector, amongst many others.

This course will enable graduates from the programme to develop an understanding of core mental health concepts in relation to working with children and young people. This includes an understanding of pathways to both risk and resilience and prevention and intervention strategies from multiple perspectives. A particular focus of learning is on the influence of trauma and adversity on child development and mental health.

The course will build your confidence in understanding and supporting child mental health within your current area of work. For interested candidates, it could also lead to further training and development opportunities with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

Teaching and learning

The programme consists of:

  • Remote delivered workshop and lecture content;
  • An interactive online learning platform complete with short video and audio recordings, quizzes, tasks and summarised core teaching;
  • Synchronous (livestreamed) online tutorials/seminars;
  • Opportunities for live virtual networking and learning events

Each module includes a formative assessment, which is not graded, to allow students to practice and develop their skills around that particular assessment.
Assessments will cover multiple formats, including:

  • Essays
  • Non-academic outputs (e.g., leaflets, blogs)
  • Pre-recorded presentations with slides

Modules

PG Dip, Full-time (one year)

Term 1

  • M1 - Child Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Developmental Perspective (optional module)
  • M2 – Common Mental Health Difficulties in Childhood and Adolescence (optional module)

Term 2

  • M3 – An Introduction to CBT, Mentalisation and Psychoanalytic Approaches (optional module)
  • M4 – Working with the Impact of Childhood Trauma and Adversity (optional module)

Term 3

  • M5 – Trauma Informed Care in Education Settings (optional module)

Full-time students may take all 120 credits in Terms 1 and 2.

PG Dip, Part-time (two years)

First year

Term 1

  • M1 - Child Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Developmental Perspective (optional module)
  • M2 – Common Mental Health Difficulties in Childhood and Adolescence (optional module)

Term 2

  • M3 – An Introduction to CBT, Mentalisation and Psychoanalytic Approaches (optional module)
  • M4 – Working with the Impact of Childhood Trauma and Adversity (optional module)

Term 3

  • M5 – Trauma Informed Care in Education Setting (optional module)

In Year 1, part-time students may take up to 90 credits in Terms 1-3 but no fewer than 60 credits across the entire academic year. By Year 2, part-time students will have completed a combined total of 120 credits.

Second year

Term 1

  • M1 - Child Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Developmental Perspective (optional module)
  • M2 – Common Mental Health Difficulties in Childhood and Adolescence (optional module)

Term 2

  • M3 – An Introduction to CBT, Mentalisation and Psychoanalytic Approaches (optional module)
  • M4 – Working with the Impact of Childhood Trauma and Adversity (optional module)

Term 3

  • M5 – Trauma Informed Care in Education Settings (optional module)

In Year 2, part-time students may take a minimum of 30 credits in Terms 1-3 but no more than 60 credits across the entire academic year. By the end of Year 2, part-time students will have completed a combined total of 120 credits.

Optional modules







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Introduction to the Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice PG Dip

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Join the UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences and the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families on this virtual information session to learn more about this engaging new distance learning course. This new programme provides a comprehensive overview of child and adolescent mental health introducing core concepts, theories and models of current evidence-based practice.

Online - Open day

Understanding childhood trauma: At the intersection of child and adolescent psychology and neuroscience

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Join us for an insightful webinar on "Understanding Childhood Trauma" featuring esteemed experts in the field, Dr Vanessa Puetz, a Neuroscientist, and Dr Jodie Rawlings, a Clinical Psychologist. You'll also get an introduction to our new PG Diploma Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice (CAPNiP) being offered by the Anna Freud Centre and UCL, which provides an in-depth exploration of these important topics, with an opportunity for questions at the end.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £9,400 £4,700
Tuition fees (2023/24) £21,400 £10,700

Additional costs

Students will need to be able to engage in online learning and therefore will require access to relevant IT equipment (including AV) and a secure and strong internet connection.

Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice at graduate level
  • why you want to study Child and Adolescent Psychology and Neuroscience in Practice at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

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.

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

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2023-2024

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Psychology and Language Sciences
Division of Psychology and Language Sciences

CAPNip.admin@annafreud.org

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