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This programme offers a stimulating and practical training in mental health research. This diversity of options allows students to tailor a programme that closely fits their needs.
This programme will equip students with the research skills needed to undertake doctoral-level research and/or to collaborate in major research projects. They will produce a piece of original research ready to submit for publication, and will acquire current knowledge of cutting-edge research in mental health.
To find out core information about this degree, such as entry requirements, programme length and cost, visit the UCL prospectus site.
About this degree
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of two core modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and a dissertation/report (60 credits). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Mental Health Sciences Research.
Compulsory modules
- Core Principles of Mental Health Research (double module - 30 credits)
- Practical Statistics for Mental Health Research (15 credits)
Candidates who do not have at least six months’ full-time work experience (or the equivalent) in a mental health service setting or in clinical mental health research are required to take the Clinical Mental Health double module.
Students who are unsure whether they should take Clinical Mental Health should discuss it with the course team. It is in general unnecessary for those who are already qualified clinicians. Students who take the Clinical Mental Health module will take four optional modules, including at least one from the Division of Psychiatry. Students who do not take this module will take six optional modules, including at least three from the Division of Psychiatry.
Optional modules
- Current Research in Depression and Anxiety (15 credits)
- Current Research in Dementia (15 credits)
- Advanced Treatment and Management of Dementia (15 credits)
- Current Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (15 credits)
- Current Research in Psychosis and Bipolar (15 credits)
- Mental Health Care: Evaluation and Policy (15 credits)
- Epidemiology Research Methods in Mental Health (15 credits)
- Neuroscience of Mental Health (15 credits)
- Culture and the clinic (15 credits)
- Mental Health in a Social and Global Context (15 credits)
- Current research in children's and young people's mental health (15 credits)
Please note these are the modules currently offered and may change by time of study.
Optional modules from other Faculties and Departments
Subject to timetable constraints and availability, students are free to select any post-graduate level modules at UCL that is in any way relevant to the course: approval for Modules other than those below will be given by the programme director or the course clinical senior lecturers.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
- Social Determinants of Global Health (15 credits)
- Ethnicity, Migration and Health (15 credits)
- Health inequalities over the lifecourse (15 credits)
Institute of Neurology
- Higher Functions of the Brain (15 credits)
Institute of Child Health
- Treatment in Child and Adolescent mental health - pharmacological (15 credits)
- Treatment in Child and Adolescent mental health - psychological therapies (15 credits)
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Mental Health (15 credits)
UCL Medical School Modules
- Quality Improvement in Health Care (15 credits)
- Leadership Skills for the Healthcare Professional (15 credits)
Dissertation/report
All students undertake a final research project. This is reported as a research paper of up to 7,000 words ready for submission to a specified journal, a blog of 1,000 words and a 20-minute talk. As part of the final report module, they are also required to attend a weekly research journal club for three terms, during which they will be asked to participate in group presentations of key research papers in mental health.