Program Overview

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Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert (online)

Key information

Course type: Single honours Delivery mode: Online Study mode: Distance Learning by eLearning Duration: MSc: Two years | PG Dip: 16 months | PG Cert: Eight months Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): 60/120/180 Application status: Open Application deadlines: 10 June 2025, 12 August 2025, 7 October 2025, 25 November 2025, 10 February 2026, 14 April 2026

Course essentials

The Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert provides a comprehensive and integrated exploration of our current understanding of the psychological and neuroscientific basis of mental health. It draws upon the wealth of research, education, clinical expertise and experience across the world-renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN). The online master’s course promotes an understanding of the evidence base for comprehending the biological, psychological and socio-environmental factors important in the development and maintenance of mental health, and evidence underlining the development and efficacy of the range of treatments for mental health problems. IoPPN teaching staff are senior scientists, clinicians, and educators. Scientists will showcase cutting-edge research into the causes and treatment of mental health problems; clinicians will be presenting current best practice in treatment approaches, and students will be supported by a team of educators with vast experience of designing and delivering scientific, clinical and applied education and training. To complete the MSc will take 2 years. A PG Dip will take 16 months, while a PG Cert will take 8 months (assuming there are no breaks in study).

Course Aims

• Enhance the career profile of those already working clinically in the field of mental health by increasing understanding and knowledge of the subject area which will help to inform clinical practice.
• Develop the knowledge and skills base for those with interest in psychology, neuroscience and mental health, or those working in, or planning to further their studies in, mental health as a practitioner or policy maker.
• Support progression to employment as a graduate research worker or to doctoral study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

UK applicants

Standard requirements

• A 2:2 honours degree (or above) in any subject area or international equivalent.
• Degree certificates or transcripts will be required when submitting the application. Those with a 2:2 will also need to submit a personal statement.

Accreditation:

We've carefully made the decision to not seek British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation for this online programme. Without it, we can provide a diverse and varied programme that incorporates a range of unique modules suitable for a variety of job outcomes.

Non-standard requirements

Applications for candidates who fall outside of the standard entry requirements are still considered and are assessed on a case-by-case basis – this includes candidates applying for the course based on professional experience/qualifications (providing qualifications show evidence of higher learning).

Non-standard applications will need to be supported by degree certificates or transcripts (where relevant), as well as a CV and personal statement. An academic or professional reference letter evidencing the student’s ability to study at master’s level will also be required.

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view equivalent international qualifications.

English language requirements

English language band: D

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

The programme is delivered entirely online. There are video lectures, coursework including critical appraisal of published work, essays and abstracts and self-directed learning activities. Time commitment: Whilst your academic background and familiarity with the topic of each module will have a bearing on your total study time, you should expect to commit roughly 21-25 hours a week to your studies. Assessment will include discussion board participation, multiple choice question and short answer question examinations.

The programme is flexible, and three levels of postgraduate qualification are offered:

• Achieve a postgraduate certificate after completing 60 credits, a postgraduate diploma after 120 credit and a master’s degree after completing all 180 credits.
• Complete four introductory modules in the foundations of mental health to earn your postgraduate certificate.
• Complete four advanced modules in psychology and neuroscience disorders to earn your postgraduate diploma.
• Complete all twelve introductory, advanced and research skills modules to earn your MSc.

Assessment

The primary methods of assessment for this course are online examinations and coursework. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

Structure

Required modules

You are required to take:

PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc:

• Biological Foundations of Mental Health (15 credits)
• Techniques in Neuroscience (15 credits)
• Psychological Foundations of Mental Health (15 credits)
• Mental Health in the Community (15 credits)

In addition for MSc:

• Research Skills: From Reviewing & Critical Analysis to Research Ethics (15 credits)
• Research Skills: From Methods & Procedures to Analysis & Reporting (15 credits)
• Independent Synoptic Project (30 credits)

Optional modules

In addition, students take 60 credits from a range of optional modules that may typically include:

• Psychology & Neuroscience of Addiction (15 credits)
• Psychology & Neuroscience of Affective Disorders (15 credits)
• Psychology & Neuroscience of Psychosis (15 credits) distance learning
• Pharmacotherapies in Mental Health (15 credits) distance learning
• Neuroimaging in Mental Health (15 credits)
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health: Child development (15 credits)
• Mindfulness: Neuroscience & Application (15 credits)
• Social, Genetic & Environmental Basis of Mental Health (15 credits)
• Global Mental Health (15 credits)
• Neuroscience in Society (15 credits)

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Careers

Employability

King’s is ranked sixth in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education’s Global Employability Ranking 2022).

At King’s you’ll enter into one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse student bodies and join a legacy of graduates that are sought out by some of the leading employers in the field. The Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health MSc should:

• benefit those wishing to become a graduate research worker and will optimise opportunities for PhD training. It will also provide a stepping-stone towards professional training as a mental health practitioner
• enhance the career profile of those already working clinically in the field of mental health by increasing understanding and knowledge of the subject area which will help to inform clinical practice
• provide transferable skills and knowledge that can benefit a number of career paths.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

Your fees will be charged per module as you progress through the course. In the 2024/25 Academic Year modules will be charged at £1,737 per module. In the 2025/26 Academic Year modules will be charged at £1,823.

The number of modules you take will be determined by your chosen award as outlined below:

• Postgraduate Certificate: 4 modules
• Postgraduate Diploma: 8 modules
• Master of Science: 12 modules

Tuition fees may be subject to an annual increase (capped at 6%) each academic year in line with King's College London's terms and conditions. Each increase comes into effect in September of each year. Depending on your country of residence, you may also have to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) in addition to your tuition fees. Please find further information here.

Additional Fees Information

When you receive an offer for this course, you will be required to pay for your first module upfront, as a non-refundable deposit, to secure your place. This payment will be credited towards your total fee payment. Please note that a standard 14 day cooling off period will apply from the point of initial payment for your first module. Any subsequent payments are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

The deposit cost for this course is the cost of one module (£1,737) plus a non-refundable application fee of £75. From September 2025, the deposit cost will be £1,823.

Student fees for the programme will be billed on a modular basis. Students are billed approximately 25 days prior to the first day of teaching, with the due date falling 12 days thereafter (two weeks before teaching begins). If you decide not to begin your studies on your agreed start date, you can defer your entry by giving notice no less than 24 hours prior to the teaching start date. You may defer entry no more than twice, and the deposit you have paid will remain on your account as credit until you begin study.

If you have registered for a PG Dip or PG Cert qualification but decide you wish to upgrade to a higher award, you will need to speak to your enrolment advisor. If you choose to upgrade your programme, you will enter a new cooling off period from the date of payment for your next module on the upgraded award. Any subsequent payments following this next module payment are not subject to additional cooling off periods.

Additional Requirements & Costs

Students will need access to a computer or tablet in order to complete the programme. Although KEATS is optimised for mobile, a desktop computer may be necessary for some parts of the course.

We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge; full functionality cannot be guaranteed in older or less commonly used browsers.

Students will require access to a high-speed internet connection (4Mbps minimum).

We will endeavour to make as much study material as possible available online, but you may also need to purchase some books during your studies.

This is an online course and you are not expected to go to campus. Should you wish to do so, there are some additional fees to pay for:

• Books, ebooks or articles (if you choose to buy your own copies)
• King’s campus Library fees and fines
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.