| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Affective Disorders MSc
Overview
Affective disorders, also known as mood disorders, include depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. These conditions are leading contributors to the global burden of disease, and specialist training in this area is currently sparse. The purpose of this course is to meet the growing need for a graduate training course that focuses exclusively on affective disorders.
Course Details
- Study Mode: Full-time
- Duration: One year full-time, September to September
- Credit Value: UK 180/ECTS 90
- Application Status: Open
- Start Date: September 2025
Key Information
- Study Mode: Full-time
- Duration: One year full-time, September to September
- Credit Value: UK 180/ECTS 90
- Application Status: Open
- Start Date: September 2025
Entry Requirements
UK Applicants
- Standard Requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
- Programme-Specific Requirements: A minimum 2:1 degree classification in Psychology, Nursing, Pharmacy, professions allied to medicine, or a scientific degree such as Biomedical Science or Neuroscience. Medical degrees can also be considered.
International Applicants
- Equivalent International Qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications.
- English Language Requirements: English language band B. Nationals of majority English speaking countries who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.
Teaching and Structure
- Teaching Methods: Lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical workshops.
- Location: Primarily taught at the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus.
- Modules:
- Understanding Affective Disorders (30 credits)
- Causes and Correlates of Affective Disorders (30 credits)
- Challenges in Treating Affective Disorders (30 credits)
- Research Methods & Statistics for Studying Affective Disorders (30 credits)
- Research Project on Affective Disorders (60 credits)
Assessment
- Written Examinations: Yes
- Course Work: Yes
Employability
Upon completion, you will have a solid understanding of the concepts, theories, and practice relevant to affective disorders. You may go on to enhanced careers in mental health as clinicians and/or policy makers, conduct further full-time study in an academic research environment, or gain employment in an academic, clinical, or pharmaceutical organisation.
Tuition Fees
- UK: £16,950 per year (2025/26)
- International: £40,000 per year (2025/26)
Additional Costs
- Books: If you choose to buy your own copies.
- Library Fees and Fines: Yes
- Personal Photocopies: Yes
- Stationery: Yes
- Travel and Accommodation: For teaching weekends and exams if taken in London or overseas
- Graduation Costs: Yes
Funding
- IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships: Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Affective Disorders MSc program at King's College London is designed for professionals who want to specialize in this area and gain expertise in the science of mood and anxiety disorders. The program focuses on the biological and psychological aspects of these disorders, making it suitable for students from a variety of backgrounds, including medicine, psychology, neuroscience, and related medical fields.
Objectives:
- Provide students with a deep understanding of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of affective disorders.
- Develop students' critical thinking skills and ability to integrate knowledge from different disciplines to analyze and address issues related to affective disorders.
- Equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in research, clinical practice, or policy-making related to affective disorders.
Program Description:
This program is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical workshops. Students will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts in the field and conduct their own research project under the supervision of a thesis supervisor. The program also offers an optional clinical observership, allowing students to observe various presentations, treatments, and outcomes of affective disorders firsthand.
Outline:
Program Content:
The program covers a wide range of topics related to affective disorders, including:
- Causes and Correlates of Affective Disorders: This module explores the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the development of affective disorders.
- Challenges in Treating Affective Disorders: This module examines the different approaches to treating affective disorders, as well as the challenges and limitations associated with each approach.
- Research Methods & Statistics for Studying Affective Disorders: This module provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct research on affective disorders.
- Research Project on Affective Disorders: This module allows students to conduct their own research project on a topic related to affective disorders.
Structure:
The program consists of 5 modules, each worth 30 credits, and a research project worth 60 credits. Students are required to take all 5 modules and complete the research project.
Course Schedule:
The program is delivered full-time over one year, starting in September.
Individual Modules:
- Causes and Correlates of Affective Disorders: This module consists of 30 hours of lectures, 15 hours of seminars/tutorials, and 15 hours of self-directed study.
- Challenges in Treating Affective Disorders: This module consists of 30 hours of lectures, 15 hours of seminars/tutorials, and 15 hours of self-directed study.
- Research Methods & Statistics for Studying Affective Disorders: This module consists of 29.5 hours of lectures, 17.5 hours of self-directed study, and 253 hours of independent study.
- Understanding Affective Disorders: This module consists of 30 hours of lectures, 15 hours of seminars/tutorials, and 15 hours of self-directed study.
- Research Project on Affective Disorders: This module consists entirely of 600 hours of independent study, supervised by a thesis supervisor.
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as psychology, nursing, pharmacy, or a scientific degree.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including written examinations, coursework, and a research project.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical workshops. The specific teaching methods for each module will be outlined in the module handbook.
Faculty:
The program is taught by a team of world-renowned experts in the field of affective disorders.
Unique Approaches:
The program adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on knowledge from a range of clinical and non-clinical disciplines. This allows students to develop a comprehensive understanding of affective disorders and their treatment.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Upon completion of the program, graduates may pursue careers in research, clinical practice, or policy-making related to affective disorders. They may also pursue further study in a relevant field, such as a PhD in clinical psychology.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings, including:
- Universities and research institutions
- Mental health clinics and hospitals
- Pharmacological companies
- Government agencies
UK:Full time: £15,840 per year (2024/25) International:Full time: £37,368 per year (2024/25) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 March and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
