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Psychological Science of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This MSc will consider mental health and wellbeing in education using a psychological science lens. With our world-leading, research-active team, you will critically consider theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the unique and complex context of education for mental health and wellbeing.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£12,700
£6,350
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification, either in Psychology or a related subject. Alternatively, a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification, which contains at least 60 credits of Psychology and provides some training in research design and methods, or related methodologies. A minimum understanding of probability, hypothesis testing, comparison of means and ANOVA designs, correlations and linear regression is required.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

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

Capitalising on world-leading expertise and research-active lecturers in this area, this programme aims to provide you with a depth of scientific understanding of mental health and wellbeing in education. We will use key theoretical and empirical grounding in developmental and educational psychology to examine educational contexts and their interaction with individual characteristics, home and community for the development and maintenance of mental health and wellbeing. The programme will stimulate evidence-based and critical understanding through taught content, facilitated discussion and group work, conducting research, and independent learning. Optional modules allow you to explore psychological and educational issues of pertinence to the field, including specific educational needs. You will hone your methodological and critical academic skills as well as written and oral communication skills pertinent to the dissemination of scientific knowledge to academic, policy and lay audiences.

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for psychology graduates (or graduates from related fields, see entry requirements) who wish to progress to academic, practical or policy-making careers in this emerging field, or those wanting to improve their understanding of theory and empirical evidence that will underpin and inform future policy and education. It is well-suited to those with a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate or Master's degree who wish to improve their chances of success when applying for one of the professional psychology doctorates which are often over-subscribed, and highly competitive. (In itself, this programme does not lead to Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS and is therefore not suitable for those aiming to embark on a career in educational or clinical psychology unless they already hold a GBC).

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

What this course will give you

Exploring seminal and cutting-edge research, theories and practice, you will develop a strong foundation in the psychological science of mental health and wellbeing in education. The programme will provide you with academic and transferable skills pertinent to working in this burgeoning field.

IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is second-to-none in provision of this MSc. We are one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science, and our diverse students are able to learn from cutting-edge researchers in the field. For the tenth year in succession IOE has been ranked number one for education (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). Our alumni include government ministers; heads of schools, other educational institutions and NGOs; Olympians and prize-winning authors.

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates of the programme will be provided with opportunities to develop skills pertinent to a range of roles, including, but not limited to: researcher in public and private sectors, academic or professional doctoral studentship, assistant psychologist, as well as, depending on appropriate additional qualifications, teachers and policy makers. There are a range of departmental and university-wide resources available to help students explore and develop their career pathways.

Employability

This programme is suitable for those wishing to progress to academic, practical or policy-making careers in this emerging field, or those wanting to improve their understanding of theory and empirical evidence that will underpin and inform future policy and education.

Networking

Students will have opportunities to attend research seminars, journal clubs and research talks.

Teaching and learning

The programme will be delivered in-line with the exemplary practices employed within the host department, through a range of lectures, workshops, research projects, tutorials, seminars, and student-led, tutor-facilitated discussions. This will enable students to engage with experts in the field as well as each other, to experience a genuinely multidisciplinary and diverse learning community.

Summative assessments are varied to widen transferable skills and to ensure equality. Examples depend on options taken, but include, annotated bibliography, presentation, essay, e-video, lay summary, multiple choice, poster, reflective account, research report, scientific communication. In addition, all students will conduct research for analysis and write up for a dissertation. Formative work aligned with summative assessments will be embedded throughout each module to facilitate your learning (e.g., lecturer-led in-class exercises, scaffolded group/peer work and discussion feedback loops).

A 30-credit module is estimated as 300 learning hours, including contact time of 30 lecture/tutorial/seminar hours as well as numerous online resources (additional contact time is available through Module Leader office hours as needed). Personal study time (reading, preparing activities for class, completing assignments) is anticipated across UCL as around 270 hours. The Dissertation module is 60-credits and has 600 personal study time alongside around 15 hours contact time with your supervisor.

Modules

The programme consists of completing three compulsory 30-credit modules, one optional 30-credit module and a compulsory 60-credit dissertation module. 
 
Full-time students complete this programme within one academic year: 

  • two 30-credit modules in the Autumn Term,
  • two 30-credit modules in the Spring/Summer Term, 
  • and 60-credit dissertation throughout the year to be submitted in the Summer Term

Here is the brief information for the compulsory modules:

  • Critical issues in the psychology of mental health and wellbeing in education: This module explores critical issues in the psychology of mental health and well-being in education. Theoretically grounded in developmental and educational psychology, we will consider educational contexts and their interplay with individual characteristics, the home and neighbourhood.
  • School and classroom processes: This module focuses on the mental health and well-being of children and young people in school, considering various settings like classrooms, school yards/playgrounds, dining rooms, and corridors. Examining their activities as well as social interactions and relationships with staff and peers, it explores implications for the development of engagement, learning, motivation, and individual feelings and beliefs about themselves and school.
  • Research Design and Methods in Psychological Science of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education: This module provides an introduction to advanced methods in psychology specific to the field of mental health and wellbeing in education. Students will learn how and when to use advanced research designs and statistical techniques to present empirical research. Topics may include prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case studies and randomised-controlled trials.

The programme consists of completing three compulsory 30-credit modules, one optional 30-credit module and a compulsory 60-credit dissertation module. 

Part-time students complete this programme within two academic years: 

  • three 30-credit modules (90 credits) in Year 1 and
  • one 30-credit module and the 60-credit dissertation (90 credits) in Year 2

Here is the brief information for the compulsory modules:

  • Critical issues in the psychology of mental health and wellbeing in education: This module explores critical issues in the psychology of mental health and well-being in education. Theoretically grounded in developmental and educational psychology, we will consider educational contexts and their interplay with individual characteristics, the home and neighbourhood.
  • School and classroom processes: This module focuses on the mental health and well-being of children and young people in school, considering various settings like classrooms, school yards/playgrounds, dining rooms, and corridors. Examining their activities as well as social interactions and relationships with staff and peers, it explores implications for the development of engagement, learning, motivation, and individual feelings and beliefs about themselves and school.
  • Research Design and Methods in Psychological Science of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education: This module provides an introduction to advanced methods in psychology specific to the field of mental health and wellbeing in education. Students will learn how and when to use advanced research designs and statistical techniques to present empirical research. Topics may include prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case studies and randomised-controlled trials.

The programme consists of completing three compulsory 30-credit modules, one optional 30-credit module and a compulsory 60-credit dissertation module. 

Modular Flexible students complete four 30-credit modules plus a 60-credit dissertation over a period of up to five academic years.

Here is the brief information for the compulsory modules:

  • Critical issues in the psychology of mental health and wellbeing in education: This module explores critical issues in the psychology of mental health and well-being in education. Theoretically grounded in developmental and educational psychology, we will consider educational contexts and their interplay with individual characteristics, the home and neighbourhood.
  • School and classroom processes: This module focuses on the mental health and well-being of children and young people in school, considering various settings like classrooms, school yards/playgrounds, dining rooms, and corridors. Examining their activities as well as social interactions and relationships with staff and peers, it explores implications for the development of engagement, learning, motivation, and individual feelings and beliefs about themselves and school.
  • Research Design and Methods in Psychological Science of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education: This module provides an introduction to advanced methods in psychology specific to the field of mental health and wellbeing in education. Students will learn how and when to use advanced research designs and statistical techniques to present empirical research. Topics may include prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case studies and randomised-controlled trials.

Compulsory modules






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.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Psychological Science of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education.

Fieldwork

Students may undertake fieldwork for their dissertation if they wish but this is not a requirement and funding is not provided.

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 and Wellbeing team.

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Graduate Open Events: Psychology and Human Development

Develop your knowledge and career in psychology education with the leading centre devoted to developmental psychology and its application in education and other real-world settings. We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £12,700 £6,350
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation.

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

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 3 May 2024
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

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.

This programme has essential academic requirements. Together with this information, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether and how your background and reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme has to offer. When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you are interested in mental health and wellbeing in the education context from a psychological science viewpoint
  • why you want to complete studies in this area at graduate level and how you plan to use this degree for your future plans
  • why you feel this is the programme for you and what particularly attracts you to the programme
  • why you want to study at UCL

How your academic and/or professional background are likely to meet the demands of this challenging programme

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: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Psychology and Human Development
Psychology and Human Development

b.oliver@ucl.ac.uk

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