The MSc in Child Mental Health at Lancaster University provides a scientific and clinical understanding of children’s psychological development and mental health challenges. It suits graduates and professionals seeking to work in child and adolescent mental health, education, or clinical research.
Curriculum Structure:
In this one-year program, students study modules such as Child and Adolescent Development, Foundations of Clinical Psychology, and Cognitive and Emotional Development, which build theoretical and practical knowledge of young people’s mental health. They also complete Research Methods in Psychology and Evidence-Based Interventions for Children and Families, developing research and applied clinical skills. The dissertation allows students to conduct independent research on a topic related to child mental health.
Focus areas: "Child development, clinical psychology, cognitive and emotional processes, research methods"
Learning outcomes: "Students gain expertise in understanding, assessing, and supporting children’s mental health through evidence-based approaches."
Professional alignment (accreditation): Informed by BPS standards in psychological research and practice.
Reputation (employability rankings): Lancaster University is ranked among the UK’s leading institutions for psychology and mental health studies (QS, Guardian).
Students on Lancaster University's MSc in Child Mental Health develop practical skills through research projects and engagement with the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research. They utilise specialist facilities and have access to the Psychology department's child-focused labs. This experiential learning is delivered through:
Research Project: A dissertation often involving child mental health data, supervised by clinical academics.
Centre Links: Direct engagement with the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research for seminars and research dissemination.
Software: Training in SPSS and NVivo for quantitative and qualitative analysis of mental health data.
Facilities: Access to the Psychology Department's specialist research labs and observation suites.
Clinical Insights: Teaching from practicing clinicians and opportunities for engagement with local child mental health services.
Graduates of the MSc Child Mental Health at Lancaster University gain in-depth knowledge of developmental, neurodevelopmental, and mental health issues in children and young people, combined with practical research skills. Typical roles include Assistant Clinical Psychologist, Child Psychotherapist, Mental Health Support Worker, and Researcher.
Lancaster’s Careers and Employability service provides tailored support with CV building, interview preparation, and links to mental health trusts and research projects.
Graduates benefit from strong employment prospects in NHS trusts, social care, education, and research, with salaries reflective of clinical and health psychology roles.
The program collaborates with leading child mental health professionals and local NHS mental health services.
Graduates are well-prepared for professional clinical training and research careers with strong practical and research outcomes.
Positive graduation outcomes include readiness for doctoral clinical psychology training or specialised child mental health roles.
Further Academic Progression:
Graduates typically progress to Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or relevant PhD and specialised child mental health professions.



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