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Postgraduate degree

Clinical Neuropsychiatry MSc

Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.

Key information

Delivery mode:
Classroom & Online
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
Full-time one year, part-time two years
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Apply

Scholarships available, see Fees & Funding section for more information. Clinical neuropsychiatry considers mental disorders from a neurological standpoint. It is an exciting and developing area of study. Our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry will allow students to develop the skills and knowledge required to specialize in neuropsychiatry as a clinician or academic. We welcome biomedical and psychology graduates, as well as psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists onto the course. (Please note that the course is not itself a clinical qualification; in order to practice as a clinician in a neuropsychiatry team you will need to undertake specific clinical training, such as medical school, nursing training, clinical psychology, occupational therapy etc.)

Key benefits

  • SLaM offers the widest range of mental health services in the UK and provides one of only two NHS inpatient neuropsychiatry units.
  • Unrivalled access to international experts across clinical and basic sciences relevant to neuropsychiatry.
  • State-of-the-art equipment: Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, MRC Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Maurice Wohl Neuroscience Centre, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (the only Mental Health specific centre of its kind). Access to EEG/ ERPs and TMS equipment at King’s College Hospital.
  • Clinical observership (subject to availability) - including practical experience of clinical assessment and management. This scheme will give the student exposure to the work of the wide variety of neuropsychiatry services in the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and related disciplines such as neurology and neuropsychology within the wider King’s Health Partners (KHP) – particularly those at King’s College Hospital (KCH). These modules will include clinical supervision and mentorship in presenting case discussions.

Clinical neuropsychiatry involves an exciting mix of scientific and clinical work. Because of the varied nature of the subject, it’s suitable for people from a range of backgrounds, whether you’ve just graduated from biomedical sciences or psychology, or you’re already working as a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist or other health professional. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has the country’s only inpatient neuropsychiatry unit dealing with complex patients with functional neurological disorders and brain injury. And King’s College Hospital hosts a range of specialist services, from deep brain simulation to management of motor neurone disease. You’ll have access to a complete range of patients through our partnerships. Examples of services where clinical observerships may be possible include inpatient and outpatient neuropsychiatry, liaison psychiatry, memory clinics, epilepsy, stroke, brain injury rehab, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, motor neurone disease and functional neurological disorders. (Note that students cannot be guaranteed their first choice of observership). Your dissertation is a chance to delve deeper into a subject you’re interested in. You’ll agree on a topic with your supervisor then carry out research using our state-of-the-art equipment. “Within the team at King’s, we have clinical academics and neurologists specialising in a range of areas including mood disorders, functional neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and more.” Dr Paul Shotbolt, Course Leader

Base campus

Main building at the Denmark Hill campus
Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

Essential - A Bachelors degree in a relevant scientific or clinical subject such as Medicine, Psychology, Nursing or Neuroscience (2:1 or above for non-medical degrees).   

Desirable - A professional qualification in mental health related field would be desirable. We will take into account mature students seeking to expand or change their area of clinical focus.

International applicants

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.

Selection process

The application portal will re-open from the start of each academic year (October).

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.

All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).

Previous Academic Statement Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Yes Please provide a full CV as part of your application.

Teaching methods - what to expect

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

Module name Lectures (hours) Seminars/tutorials (hours) Field/lab/studio/supervised learning (hours) Self-directed study (hours) Total (hours)
Scientific Foundations of Neuropsychiatry 47 7 11 235 300
Neuropsychiatric Disorders 39 7 16 238 300
Research Methods & Statistics 28 10 18 254 300
Management of Neuropsychiatric Disorders 33 24 11 232 300
Research Dissertation - - - 600 600

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus. Location of optional clinical observerships is variable but may include:

  • The Maudsley Hospital & King’s College Hospital (both at Denmark Hill Campus)
  • The Royal Bethlem Hospital, Beckenham
  • St Thomas’ Hospital, Waterloo
  • Guy’s Hospital, London Bridge

Assessment

  • Written Examinations
  • Coursework
  • Practicals

The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical (individual/ projects). The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Regulating body 

King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

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

Students on this course are required to take: Part-Time students The part-time students are required to take remaining 60 credits of the required taught modules (from the first year) in their second year and a dissertation (60 credits).

Scientific Foundations of Neuropsychiatry (30 credits)
Neuropsychiatric disorders (30 credits)
Management of Neuropsychiatric disorders (30 credits)
Research Methods & Statistics (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this course.

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.

Employability

Upon completion, you will have a solid understanding of the concepts, theories and practicalities that are relevant to clinical neuropsychiatry. The course will prepare you for a career in neuropsychiatry (note that you will also require a medical degree and postgraduate psychiatry training for this) or will serve as professional development to enhance your current career as a clinician or policy maker.

Other course graduates may go on to conduct further full-time study in an academic research environment (e.g. PhD) or in a taught clinical course (e.g. Postgraduate Medical School, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) or gain employment in an academic, clinical or pharmaceutical organisation. 

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)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

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.

  • If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
  • 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 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

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 click here to find out more.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
  • DBS checks.
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
  • Library fees and fines.
  • Personal photocopies.
  • Printing course handouts.
  • Society membership fees.
  • Stationery.
  • Graduation costs.
  • Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and to your optional clinical observership.

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.

Clinical neuropsychiatry involves an exciting mix of scientific and clinical work. Because of the varied nature of the subject, it’s suitable for people from a range of backgrounds, whether you’ve just graduated from biomedical sciences or psychology, or you’re already working as a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist or other health professional. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has the country’s only inpatient neuropsychiatry unit dealing with complex patients with functional neurological disorders and brain injury. And King’s College Hospital hosts a range of specialist services, from deep brain simulation to management of motor neurone disease. You’ll have access to a complete range of patients through our partnerships. Examples of services where clinical observerships may be possible include inpatient and outpatient neuropsychiatry, liaison psychiatry, memory clinics, epilepsy, stroke, brain injury rehab, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, motor neurone disease and functional neurological disorders. (Note that students cannot be guaranteed their first choice of observership). Your dissertation is a chance to delve deeper into a subject you’re interested in. You’ll agree on a topic with your supervisor then carry out research using our state-of-the-art equipment. “Within the team at King’s, we have clinical academics and neurologists specialising in a range of areas including mood disorders, functional neurological disorders, cognitive disorders and more.” Dr Paul Shotbolt, Course Leader

Base campus

Main building at the Denmark Hill campus
Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

Essential - A Bachelors degree in a relevant scientific or clinical subject such as Medicine, Psychology, Nursing or Neuroscience (2:1 or above for non-medical degrees).   

Desirable - A professional qualification in mental health related field would be desirable. We will take into account mature students seeking to expand or change their area of clinical focus.

International applicants

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.

Selection process

The application portal will re-open from the start of each academic year (October).

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.

All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).

Previous Academic Statement Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Yes Please provide a full CV as part of your application.

Teaching methods - what to expect

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

Module name Lectures (hours) Seminars/tutorials (hours) Field/lab/studio/supervised learning (hours) Self-directed study (hours) Total (hours)
Scientific Foundations of Neuropsychiatry 47 7 11 235 300
Neuropsychiatric Disorders 39 7 16 238 300
Research Methods & Statistics 28 10 18 254 300
Management of Neuropsychiatric Disorders 33 24 11 232 300
Research Dissertation - - - 600 600

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus. Location of optional clinical observerships is variable but may include:

  • The Maudsley Hospital & King’s College Hospital (both at Denmark Hill Campus)
  • The Royal Bethlem Hospital, Beckenham
  • St Thomas’ Hospital, Waterloo
  • Guy’s Hospital, London Bridge

Assessment

  • Written Examinations
  • Coursework
  • Practicals

The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical (individual/ projects). The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Regulating body 

King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

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

Students on this course are required to take: Part-Time students The part-time students are required to take remaining 60 credits of the required taught modules (from the first year) in their second year and a dissertation (60 credits).

Scientific Foundations of Neuropsychiatry (30 credits)
Neuropsychiatric disorders (30 credits)
Management of Neuropsychiatric disorders (30 credits)
Research Methods & Statistics (30 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this course.

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.

Employability

Upon completion, you will have a solid understanding of the concepts, theories and practicalities that are relevant to clinical neuropsychiatry. The course will prepare you for a career in neuropsychiatry (note that you will also require a medical degree and postgraduate psychiatry training for this) or will serve as professional development to enhance your current career as a clinician or policy maker.

Other course graduates may go on to conduct further full-time study in an academic research environment (e.g. PhD) or in a taught clinical course (e.g. Postgraduate Medical School, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) or gain employment in an academic, clinical or pharmaceutical organisation. 

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)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

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.

  • If you receive an offer before March, payment is due by 20 March.
  • 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 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

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 click here to find out more.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
  • DBS checks.
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
  • Library fees and fines.
  • Personal photocopies.
  • Printing course handouts.
  • Society membership fees.
  • Stationery.
  • Graduation costs.
  • Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and to your optional clinical observership.

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.

Application closing date guidance

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.

Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time). The final application deadlines for this programme are:

  • Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
  • Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)

After the first application deadline in March:

  • if the programme is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadlines above
  • if the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline, and we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.

Key information

Delivery mode:
Classroom & Online
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
Full-time one year, part-time two years
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Apply

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