MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Top-Up)


Course length	Part Time, 2 Years

Entry requirements
The entry requirements for the course are:
- A professional qualification in health or social care, and a good first degree (a minimum of second class) that relates to working with mental health service users, plus 3 years post qualifying practice experience in a health or social care setting to allow for consolidation of learning
or
- A good first degree (a minimum of second class) in a health related topic or equivalent plus a minimum of four years practice experience working within a health or social care setting.
Professionals who do not hold a first degree may have the opportunity of studying this course by successfully completing the Research Design and Data Analysis module from the MSc Psychology Conversion course that is available at our University before the start of the course.

All applicants will attend an interview with the Course Leader as part of the selection process. You also need a professional and or academic reference to ensure that your application is supported.

You will need to secure your own placement and have access to external clinical supervision. This can be in the NHS, private or voluntary sector. Alternatively evidence needs to be provided that you can conduct CBT-sessions with clients in your current work environment.

A further requirement is that you possess a core qualification as defined by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). If you don’t possess a core profession you will need to present evidence that you meet KSA criteria prior to an offer being made on the course. A KSA portfolio will be required from you at the end of the first year.

If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.
Professional accreditations

When you graduate from the PgDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy you will be eligible to gain accreditation from the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists (BABCP), provided that you satisfy the supervision requirements including completing a portfolio of practice.

About the course

The course gives you the option to study for a PgDip in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in two years
It is accredited at Level two by the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists (BACBP)
It is delivered by an enthusiastic team of CBT lecturers with expertise in this area

The MSc Cognitive Behaviour Therapy course is an exciting and innovative course, delivered by an enthusiastic team of Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapists and lecturers. The course structure is designed to give you the option to study for:

a postgraduate diploma (PgDip) in CBT
a full Master’s degree (MSc) in CBT

The postgraduate diploma (PgDip) is suitable for health professionals who are aiming for accreditation as Cognitive Behaviour Therapists. To be a successful candidate you will already have experience working in mental health settings, providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions. Typically our students bring significant experience in their own field of work as Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists and Counsellors.

Overview of the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The PgDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is delivered over two academic years to facilitate the development of knowledge and application of CBT in stages.

First year

The first year of the course is focused on giving you the clinical skills and academic understanding that you need in order to function as competent cognitive behavioural therapists. Typical modules include:

Foundations in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy,
Common Mental Health problems 1
Beginning with CBT supervision

Second year

In the second year, you develop competence in more complex client presentations and you also develop greater competency in clinical skills. Typical modules include:

CBT for common mental health problems 2
Continuing with CBT supervision

The use of the CTS-R is prevalent throughout the PgDip Behaviour Therapy (CBT) course to measure and provide feedback for your development. For eligibility of the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists (BABCP) accreditation, you must satisfy the supervision requirements including completing a portfolio of practice.

The postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is accredited at Level two by the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists. This means that the course fulfils all requirements so that you can gain provisional accreditation.

How you can gain a Master’s degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

To gain a Master’s degree in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy you will need to study for a third year. In this final year, you will complete a 15 credit research module and a 45 credit dissertation module. This part of the course encompasses a total of 60 credits and on successful completion you will have an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

By successfully completing the third year, you will be able to interpret the knowledge and apply advanced skills in specialist areas. Throughout your study, you will be facilitated to develop intellectual and critical thinking in evaluating the evidence that underpins your knowledge and the practice of CBT interventions.

View and download the brochure for the MSc Cognitive Behaviour course

Dates

2025

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
20/01/2026	31/01/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

2026

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
20/01/2027	31/01/2028	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)

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