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Psychiatric Research MSc

Key information

Delivery mode: In person Classroom & Online Study mode: Full time Duration: One year Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course essentials

The MSc in Psychiatric Research provides in-depth training in conducting and evaluating research in mental health. Based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), the course has an emphasis on clinical scientific research conducted in patient populations, the biological and environmental processes that underpin psychiatric disorders, and how well-performed research can improve the lives of patients. During the MSc students are supported in building their academic skills, independent thinking, and ability to take an evidence-based approach to mental health research.

Key benefits

• In-depth, practical, and theoretical knowledge on research methods, statistics, and broader academic skills as applied to research across the psychiatric disorders.
• Development of transferable skills, including communication, innovation, and critical evaluation.
• Taught by IoPPN academics who perform world-leading psychiatric research.
• A focus on the biological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and how this knowledge can be applied to improve knowledge and ultimately clinical outcomes.
• High levels of student experience - The MSc achieved 100% overall satisfaction in the 2023/4 postgraduate taught experience student survey.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 honours in a relevant subject such as Psychology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Social Science or Health Science; or a registrable qualification appropriate to the programme in Medicine; or a professional mental health qualification. A 2:2 degree will be considered only where applicants also offer a Masters with Merit in a related subject.
• NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: A Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly known as a criminal records bureau check) may be required during your programme, depending on project work.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band: D

Teaching & structure

Teaching methods - what to expect

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Format

• Research Methods, Ethics & Statistics in Mental Health: Lectures (66 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (66 hours) | Self-Study time (468 hours)
• Biological Psychiatry: Lectures (40 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-Study time (240 hours)
• Therapeutic Research in Psychiatry: Lectures (40 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (20 hours) | Self-Study time (240 hours)
• Research Dissertation - Psychiatric Research: Lectures (0 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (10 hours) | Self-Study time (590 hours)
• Big Data in Mental Health Research: Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (8 hours) | Self-Study time (122 hours)
• The Lived Experience Perspective: Lectures (10 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (0 hours) | Self-Study time (140 hours)

Contact time is based on 28 academic weeks. Full-time students (completing the course in one year) receive lectures two days per week for 23 weeks. The remainder of the time is spent on self-study, course-work, and the dissertation project.

Assessment

• Written examinations
• Coursework essays
• Posters

The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework essays and poster.

Structure

• Required modules: Research Methods, Ethics & Statistics in Mental Health (60 credits), Biological Psychiatry (30 credits), Therapeutic Research in Psychiatry (30 credits), Dissertation in Psychiatric Research (60 credits)
• Optional modules: Big Data in Mental Health Research (0 credits), The Lived Experience Perspective (0 credits)

Careers

Employability

The training and transferable skills developed during the MSc Psychiatric Research support a range of careers. These include an academic or research career - a number of current IoPPN staff and PhD students are graduates from this MSc. Other career pathways include training as a clinical psychologist, specialising in psychiatry training (for those students with a medical degree), working in pharmaceutical or other healthcare industries, big data analytics or scientific writing.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

• MRC-funded PhD studentship at King’s College London
• ESRC-funded PhD studentship at King’s College London
• Doctorate student in Clinical Psychology (UK)
• PhD student in Clinical Psychology (USA)
• NIHR Academic-Clinical Fellowship
• Research Assistant position at King’s College London
• Research Assistant position at University College London
• Assistant Psychologist within South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: £16,950 per year (2025/26), Part time: £8,475 per year (2025/26)
• International: Full time: £40,000 per year (2025/26), Part time: £20,000 per year (2025/26)

Deposit

• If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
• The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

Additional Costs

• It is highly recommended to have your own laptop, although computing facilities are also available at KCL.
• Books if you choose to buy your own copies
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• 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.

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. The scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025.