MSc — 2025 entry Clinical Psychology and Mental Health
This course offers a solid foundation in clinical skills and the principles of psychological health and wellbeing. You’ll engage with pioneering ideas for the future of mental health, and begin your development as an empathic, resourceful and reflective practitioner.
Why choose
this course?
- Develop knowledge and skills that are highly desirable within the mental health and psychological professions, with a focus on inclusive practice frameworks and global models of healthcare.
- Learn how to work across a diverse range of social and cultural contexts, informed by people with lived experience of mental health care for themselves or others (experts by experience).
- Access our state-of-the-art psychology facilities, including a six-room virtual reality suite and two observation laboratories, and use the latest equipment to conduct research experiments.
- Learn from experts who are active researchers and clinicians in clinical psychology and the psychological professions.
- Take advantage of our part-time course offering if you are currently working in the field, for example as an assistant psychologist or support worker, or in a mental health or social care support setting.
Statistics
100%
Of our psychology masters graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
12th in the UK
Surrey is ranked 12th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025
What you will study
You will engage with a range of foundational theories and clinical skills for enhancing psychological health and wellbeing. Topics include professional and ethical practice, assessment and formulation, developing a therapeutic relationship, and enhancing engagement.
You will study current and critically relevant topics such as neurodiversity, diversity and inclusion, evidence-based psychological interventions (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy and systemic therapy), and global perspectives on mental ill health and wellbeing.
Several modules focus on your development as a reflective practitioner with input from individuals with lived experience to help you apply your knowledge to clinical settings. This person-centred approach has real-world applicability and will enhance access to further authentic clinical research, professional training, and employability in the field of psychology and mental health.
You’ll choose a research topic of your choice and complete either a theory-driven or problem-driven dissertation (arising from a real-world setting) to build on your research capabilities. We’ll match your interests with the expertise of our academic staff, ensuring you get the best support. Depending on your previous experience, you will have an opportunity to choose between two research modules to best suit your needs.
Research groups
You’ll be invited to join one of our research groups, where you’ll participate in discussions about research topics, findings and publications, and you’ll benefit from our links with renowned research institutions across the world. Our research addresses the mental health needs of those across the life span from children and their families, emerging adults, perinatal mental health transitions in adulthood, and ageing well in later life. We also research the complexity of managing co-morbid conditions and attending to the diversity of need in our communities. We have a host of external speakers that visit us and present their work, and a collection of seminars and workshops, allowing you to network with like-minded individuals.
Facilities
Our exceptional facilities will give you access to the latest equipment, including a virtual reality suite to simulate real-life scenarios and two observation labs. You’ll also have access to an extensive library of psychometric and clinical tests, 20 bookable project rooms, a breakout space, equipment lockers and a computer lab.
Across the course, modules will be delivered in two ways. The research modules and the Global Modals of Mental Health module will consist of lectures, workshops or seminars delivered weekly across the semester.
The four remaining modules will each be delivered over six full days. Each of these days will include the following learning and teaching opportunities: self-directed study and lectures to develop and critique knowledge, followed by workshops and seminars to support the application of this knowledge to real-world clinical scenarios. These teaching days will be delivered over four weeks in semesters one and two.
This condensed teaching structure will help you to make theory-to-practice links and facilitate the development of good and trusting working relationships with your peers. You’ll practise new skills in workshops and receive direct feedback from lecturers to address your learning and development needs.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Teaching and learning
You’ll participate in lectures and seminars, and you’ll complete independent study and practical assignments throughout the course. You'll also participate in group work such as debates and journal clubs.
Teaching will be delivered by lecturers who are accredited clinicians or researchers. Expertise will be drawn from across the School of Psychology and its clinical programmes, with learning enhanced by presentations from individuals with lived experience of mental health problems or their carers.
- Seminars
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Group work
- Project work
- Research work
- Tutorials
- Online learning
- Role play
- Independent study
- Practical sessions
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including coursework, essays, examinations and presentations.
Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
On this course, you’ll gain the transferrable skills and knowledge you need to pursue further research or study towards a rewarding career in clinical psychology, other psychological professions or within the wider mental health or social care sector. This could include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Counselling
- Mental health nursing
- Occupational therapy.
For those who are already working with the mental health or social care sector, this course is an excellent way to expand your knowledge whilst broadening and diversifying your practice and supporting opportunities for career progression.
If you plan to pursue a career in clinical psychology or another psychological profession, you will be required to undertake a doctorate in clinical psychology or a relevant practitioner postgraduate course (including NHS Talking Therapies courses) to be eligible to practise and achieve qualified practitioner status.
100% of our psychology masters graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:1 UK honours degree in psychology or an equivalent professional qualification, or a recognised international equivalent.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements.
Students wishing to go on to apply for an applied psychology course after the programme, will require eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Pre-Masters
Prepare for postgraduate study and boost your career prospects. This is an intensive programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language preparation designed to help you succeed.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £24,900
September 2025 - Part-time - 2 years
- UK
- £5,500
- Overseas
- £12,500
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
- General programme related costs such as study materials
- Potential costs involved in conducting independent learning remotely e.g. internet connection etc.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.