find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Refine courses

Posted May 14, 2025

Top 10 Psychotherapy Masters Degree Courses In The UK

Psychotherapy mastersIf you want to study Psychotherapy at postgraduate level, it is important to do your research properly as there two main differences.

Psychotherapy masters degree courses

Essentially, you can opt for a masters program in Psychotherapy that contains significant elements of practical work or instead choose one that focuses more on research and theory.

Here is a selection of 10 of the best Psychotherapy Masters Degrees available to study in the UK*.

MSt in Psychodynamic Practice – University of Oxford

Tuition fees: Home students – £6,945 / International students – £14,330.
What you will study: This is a one-year, part-time graduate course following on from the PG Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice* at the University of Oxford. It provides training in advanced clinical work and research methodology in psychodynamic practice, involving the opportunity to undertake supervised original research. It is orientated towards increasing the understanding and application of counselling/psychotherapy research in practice. The masters is accredited by the Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association (UPCA), which is a full organisational member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) through the UKCP University Training College (UTC).
*The tuition fees for the PGDip in Psychodynamic Practice are: Home students – £6,085 / International students – £12,025. Around 50% of the PGDip students go onto study the MSt in Psychodynamic Practice.

MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies (Non-Clinical) – UCL

Tuition fees: Home students – £16,000 / International students – £36,500.
What you will study: UCL’s MSc in Theoretical Psychoanalytic Studies is a is a full-time, one-year course. It is a non-clincal masters degree that gives students a grounding in the nature, history, content and context of psychoanalytic theory, as used by practising psychoanalysts. The course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to current psychoanalytic thinking, with attention to the application of psychoanalytic ideas to other fields.

MSc in Clinical Psychotherapy – King’s College London

Tuition fees: Home students – £16,950 per year, full time over one year; £8,475 per year, part time over two years / International students – £40,000 per year, full time over one year; £20,000 per year, part time over two years.
What you will study: This MSc in Clinical Psychotherapy brings together psychoanalytic thought with biological and cognitive processes as well as a strong foundation in research methods and analysis. Students will study the renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London. They will be introduced to foundational papers and special topics in psychoanalysis from psychosomatic disorders to neuroscience, as well as research-led advances in biological and cognitive processes, individual differences, and social processes.

MSc in Psychological Therapies – The University of Edinburgh

Tuition fees: Home students – £10,750 per year for two years / International students – £25,900 per year for two years.
What you will study: This Masters in Psychological Therapies takes two years to complete full time, and between two and six years to complete part time. The course is for students who are already practising NHS UK-based therapists and topics include cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. This course is not currently professionally accredited, although individual courses are accredited by UK professional bodies, ensuring high quality standards and recognition by employers.  

MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology – The University of Manchester

Tuition fees: Home students – £12,500 per year, full time for one year; £6,250 per year, part time for two years / International students – £32,000 per year, full time for one year.
What you will study: The MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology can be studied full time over 12 months or part time over 24 months. It provides a thorough grounding in the research, theory and practice of clinical and health psychology. Students will learn about the principles and evidence-base of psychological interventions to change behaviour and cognition at the individual, group and population level. This MSc does not replace or guarantee entry onto an accredited Clinical Psychology Doctoral training course.

MSc in Behavioural Science – Durham University

Tuition fees: Home students – £14,500 / International students – £32,500.
What you will study: This MSc in Behavioural Science at Durham University is aimed at students who want to learn about cutting-edge behavioural science research. They will gain advanced training in quantitative methods and learn about the application of behavioural science principles to everyday problems faced within the public, private, and third sectors.

MA in Person-Centred Experimental Counselling and Psychotherapy – University of Nottingham

Tuition fees: Home students – £10,400 per year, full time over two years; £5,200 per year, part time over four years / International students £27,150 full time over two year; £13,575 per year, part time over four years.
What you will study: This masters degree in Person-Centred Experimental Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Nottingham has two pathways – adult psychotherapy or child and young people psychotherapy, and it includes a significant work placement. This course is ideal for those who wish to train to become a person-centred experiential counsellor. It will provide you with the required number of training hours so you can register for individual accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. It will also prepare you for doctoral studies in counselling and psychotherapy or areas of person-centred applications. This course can be studied full time over 24 months or part time over 48 months.

MSc in Psychological Therapies with Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner – City St George’s University of London ­

Tuition fees: Home students – £13,500 / International students – £18,200.
What you will study: This MSc in Psychological Therapies with Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner allows students to train as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and qualify for paid employment with an NHS Talking Therapies service. They will develop skills in assessing and treating depression and anxiety, with opportunities to engage in master's-level research or specialised mental health modules. It is taught by a combination of lectures, practical skills development days (role-play and self-directed study time. Students are expected to attend 100% of the course’s core components, in line with the National Curriculum for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. The taught component of this course is supplemented by a 50-day clinical placement.

MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy – London Metropolitan University ­

Tuition fees: Please check the London Met University website for up-to-date tuition fees.
What you will learn: This MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy will give students the academic and practical training to become eligible to practice as a counsellor. It places value on learning through experience, collaborative projects in small groups, as well as reflective, non-discriminatory, and ethical counselling practice. On successful completion of this course, students will have gained the 100 supervised client contact hours required for individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

MA Counselling and Psychotherapy – UWE Bristol

Tuition fees: Home students – £4,200 for year one; £2,600 for year two; £3,400 for year three; Home Module Fee £850 / International students – £5,400 for year one; £5,400 for year two; £5,400 for year three; International Module Fee £1,350.
This course is studied part time over three years.
What you will study: Students will learn about the practical application of psychotherapy skills and relational counselling, as well as research skills and theoretical knowledge. Throughout the three years, students will develop a deep understanding of client concerns and learn how to choose the best counselling interventions. This Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy provides professional counselling training, enabling students to register with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Looking for a Postgraduate Course in Psychotherapy? Use our course search to find your perfect program.

Editor’s note: this blog was originally published in December 2020. The tuition fees have been updated in May 2025 to reflect the latest tuition fees; and the rankings have been updated to reflect the rankings information in more recent sources.

*This Psychotherapy Masters Top 10 was produced using several rankings sources including 1, 2, and 3. 

Related articles

Psychology – Subject Guide

What Can You Do With A Psychology Degree?

Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries

 

 

Leave a comment

All contributors must be over 16 year olds

By submitting your comment you agree to our privacy policy.

Categories