Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Study clinical paediatric neuropsychology on this Master’s degree. It is currently the only paediatric neuropsychology Master’s degree in the UK that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). You’ll learn all the relevant theory and be trained to interpret clinical case presentations. Completing the programme will mean you’ve met the requirements of the Knowledge (and possibly also the Research) dimension of the BPS Training in Clinical Neuropsychology (TiCN).

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to be qualified Clinical or Educational Psychologists as recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council. Qualified counselling psychologist applicants should contact the Programme to discuss eligibility.

Applicants with a Psychology BSc but who are not yet clinical or educational psychologists, or applicants who are internationally-qualified clinicians ineligible for HCPC registration should apply for Applied Paediatric Neuropsychology MSc.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

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.

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

If you are a qualified HCPC-Registered clinical or educational psychologist, this course gives you the foundation you need to build a specialism in paediatric neuropsychology.

You’ll learn all about the techniques, methods and contemporary findings in the field, working with UK-wide and international clinicians and research experts in paediatric neuropsychology, neurology and neurodevelopment.

This course includes hands-on training in how to interpret clinical case presentations within the context of current scientific findings of developmental brain-behaviour relationships.

You’ll also delve into the major professional, ethical and service delivery issues in assessment and rehabilitative work, considering neuropsychological practice across contexts and different patient groups.

The course is jointly taught by experts at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), and you’ll get to work on an MSc project, supervised by researchers and clinicians from both the university and hospital. 

Who this course is for

The clinical route is open to qualified clinical and educational psychologists on the Health and Care Professions Council Register (HCPC). Counselling Psychologists are encouraged to contact the Programme Directors to discuss an application.

What this course will give you

  • Be part of the only paediatric neuropsychology knowledge course currently accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in the UK.
  • Learn from UK-wide and international clinicians and research experts in the field of paediatric neuropsychology, neurology and neurodevelopment within Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UCL GOS ICH), and other related neuroscience and psychology departments within and beyond UCL.
  • Study at one of the world's top ten universities. UCL is ranked 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2025) and first for research power in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (REF 2021).
  • Cover all key areas of the syllabus recommended by the BPS Division of Neuropsychology.
  • Benefit from our close relationship with the GOSH, with much of our research and teaching carried out on a joint basis.
  • Work on your MSc project with supervision from UCL researchers using cutting-edge methods and from GOSH clinicians.
  • Develop transferrable professional and academic skills to prepare you for further specialised qualifications in paediatric neuropsychology.
  • Hear from internal and external speakers who are international experts in areas such as neuroanatomy, structural and functional imaging, memory, language, attention, dyslexia, dyscalculia, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, neurovascular disorders and much more.

The foundation of your career

This programme satisfies the Knowledge (and in some cases also the Research) dimension requirements of the TiCN, which facilitates progression onto completing a formal qualification towards professional registration in clinical paediatric neuropsychology in the UK.

Graduates have gone onto work with organisations such as the Children's Trust, NHS and NeuroCentrix*.

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the cohorts 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22.

Employability

The programme meets the requirements of the Knowledge dimension of Training in Clinical Neuropsychology (TiCN - both the BPS QiCN and non-BPS programmes), one of the three components necessary for eligibility for entry onto the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists which means you’ll be eligible for entry onto the BPS Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

It may also meet the requirements of the Research dimension of these programmes. Candidates are advised to speak with TiCN providers to confirm this.

Networking

UCL GOS ICH offers seven MSc programmes as well as an MRes in Child Health encompassing a wide range of topics. Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, from the UK and overseas providing great networking opportunities within and across programmes. We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the Master's programmes have the opportunity to join events such as the Otto Wolff lectures hosted by the research and teaching departments. These cover a variety of topics and provide an opportunity to hear from national and international experts and to network at the social event that usually accompanies these events.  

Accreditation

The British Psychological Society (BPS) views entry onto the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists (SRCN) as the 'gold standard' for practitioners in clinical neuropsychology and considers that graduates of this MSc to have successfully completed the academic components (Knowledge and Research Dimensions) of Training in Clinical Neuropsychology (TiCN).

The third component of TiCN is the Practice dimension, which is examined by the BPS or by other University-based courses.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, group seminars, video demonstrations, and directed self-study time (reading, essay, seminar preparations). 

Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the UCL GOS ICH website.

Assessment is by two essay journal papers (up to 3,000 words each), two scientific commentary papers (up to 1,500 words each) and four unseen examinations. Students on the MSc in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology will also be assessed by a research portfolio and a research portfolio presentation. 

There are eight core compulsory taught modules. Each taught module is delivered as a one-week block, with lectures and activities roughly from 9.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

On average, students spend approximately 30 hours per month attending lectures, three hours in tutorials and workshops, and 140 hours studying independently for their assignments and research projects.

Overall we expect full-time students to study a full 35 to 40-hour week, with time outside classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time students study at a pro-rata rate.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time 1 year, or part-time over 2 years) is also offered, consisting of the 8 core compulsory taught modules. The Postgraduate Diploma route of the programme satisfies the Knowledge dimension of the TiCN.

Modules

The MSc in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology focuses on the relationship between brain health and behaviour in developing children.

In your First Term, you will study Introduction to Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Professional Issues for Paediatric Neuropsychologists, and Development of the Sensory, Motor and Cognitive Systems. These modules set the foundation for the whole MSc preparing you for further topics by introducing the fundamental principles behind a range of methodologies, describing issues associated with the practice of paediatric neuropsychology in a range of settings, and by providing background on normal development in various domains as a basis for understanding atypical development.

In your Second Term, you will study Developmental Disorders and Neuropsychological Profiles, Infant and Neurodevelopmental Assessment, and Assessment of Neuropsychological Disorders and their Functional Implications. These modules further develop key concepts learnt in your First Term and apply this knowledge to understand neuropsychological assessment in a range of paediatric populations. During your Second Term, you will also submit your research project proposal.

In your Third Term, you will study Advanced Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Developing Clinical Formulations and Interventions. These modules build on those on the previous two terms and cover more advanced methods for studying brain-behaviour relationships to provide an evidence base for clinical practice and describe different settings and systems for intervention and support. Following these two modules, the research project is submitted in early September.

This programme is available in a part-time mode of two years with the first four modules being taken in the first year of study. The final four modules, plus the Research Project will be taken in the second and final year of study. All modules must be taken in order.

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.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. All modules in this programme are non-condonable, requiring a pass mark of at least 50%. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applied/Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology MSc

Join us at our virtual open events to learn about Master's degrees delivered by the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Each session will provide a programme introduction and time for Q&A.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no additional costs for this programme.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Visit the funding and studentship pages of the UCL GOS ICH website for details of funding available to students, including the UCL GOS ICH bursary.

Clinical students employed by the NHS may also be able to access funding via their NHS Trusts through the NHSE funding initiative available in some years. Please contact your  regional NHSE workforce leads or Psychological Professions Network to learn more about the funding and how to apply.

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

Michelle Zalkin Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2025
Value: £10,000 (Duration)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship

Deadline:8 May 2025
Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

The Peter and Loek Wheeler Child Health Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2025
Value: €32,000 (Euros) (Duration of study)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Scholarship

Deadline: 15 August 2025
Value: £3000 for one year for full time students, £1500 each year for part time students (over 2 years) ()
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

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. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study/research Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology at graduate level.
  • Why you want to study Clinical Paediatric Neuropsychology 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: 2025-2026

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.