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Course information

Department

Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies

Length

2 years full-time, or 1 year full-time for the PGDip

Course overview

The MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to provide students with a structured training where students can systematically acquire the knowledge and skills needed to practice as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

  • On the course, students will be able to progressively build their confidence and competence to take them from a novice to skilled practitioner equipped to work towards accreditation with the BABCP (for the PGDip route) and BACP (for the MSc route) dependant on their individual experience.
  • Uniquely on this course, students will be strongly encouraged to evaluate Cognitive Behavioural theory and practice, which will include an emphasis on understanding the relationship of CBT to other psychotherapeutic modalities and on the tailoring of interventions to individual needs. As such this training in CBT is presented within a broader framework of critical and positive psychology.
  • The course also aims to develop students' understanding of the impact of contextual and structural factors, particularly in terms of the impact of inherent power differentials, upon the formation and resolution of individual psychological difficulties. This also includes the influence of contextual factors upon the practice of CBT itself and the examination of the way in which CBT can contribute to the prevention and amelioration of the negative impact of these.
  • As such particular focus is given to developing a flexible and creative approach to the practice of CBT to effectively respond to individual, social and cultural diversity. In addition the course seeks to broaden the focus of understanding away from only addressing psychopathology to a broader view of the practice of CBT that includes the optimisation of individual well-being. 

Fitness to train

  • Applicants to therapeutic studies programmes are asked to disclose any criminal record, disciplinary record, significant periods of time off work and significant health problems in writing after interview. If we wish to make an applicant an offer of a place on the course, an anonymised version of the applicant’s written disclosure will be reviewed by a panel which considers the applicant’s suitability for therapeutic studies training. This process is additional to normal 'fitness to train' processes.

Placement

  • Placement work is at the core of our CBT training programme. Students are expected to start their placement work as soon as possible in their first year and the clinical hours required each year will vary between the PGDip or MSc reflecting differences in BABCP and BACP training requirements. Supervision will be provided in placement and must meet the criteria set by the BABCP for PGDip students and BACP for MSc students.

Course length

MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
2 years full-time

PGDip Professional Route
1 year full time (no part-time option)

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies.

What you'll study

PGDip pathway

For the Postgraduate Diploma pathway, you'll complete the following modules:

  • Psychological Models of Therapy 1
  • Psychological Models of Therapy 2
  • Therapeutic Skills
  • Reflective Practitioner 1
  • Advanced CBT Theory and Practice
  • Advanced CBT Skills
  • Supervised CBT Practice 1

MSc pathway

For the MSc pathway, you'll complete the above as well as the following over the course of two years:

  • Multidisciplinary Research Methods
  • Supervised CBT Practice 2, Experiential Groups and CPD Workshops
  • Supervised CBT Practice 2 & CPD Workshops
  • Dissertation

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.

Entry requirements

Please note: You must fulfil our Fitness to Train requirements as well as any other requirements below.

PGDip requirements

  • An undergraduate degree (2:2) or equivalent
  • Qualification & 2 years experience in a core profession *(please see below)
  • Personal suitability assessed by the application form, references and a screening interview
  • Access to an appropriate work setting where you can undertake at least three days per week of face-to-face CBT practice and the audio/video recording of client sessions for assessment in an academic setting
  • Access to a BABCP-accredited workplace supervisor who can offer weekly supervision.

*core professions are as determined by the BABCP and include:

  • Arts Therapists – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered
  • Counselling – Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling Society (NCS), Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), or Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals’ National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (FDAP NCAC)
  • Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
  • Nurse – NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse, or NMC Registered Learning Disability Nurse
  • Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT) and HCPC Registered
  • Psychotherapy/ Psychotherapeutic Counselling – United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered
  • Social Work – Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), MA Social Work, or BA/BSc Hons Social Work. Registered with one of four UK regulators - Social Work England (SWE), Social Care Wales (SCW), Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
  • Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology – Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Educational Psychology – Doctorate or Qualification in Educational Psychology Stage 2 (QEPS) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Health Psychology – Qualification in Health Psychology Stage 2 (QHP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychology – Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 (QFP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist

MSc requirements

  • An undergraduate degree (2:2)
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills/equivalent experience
  • Personal suitability assessed by the application form, references and a screening interview

 

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2023/2024 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £9720
  • International - full-time: £17430

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your academic qualifications
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
  • Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Find out more about applying.

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