MSc Mental Health and Clinical Psychology

The MSc Mental Health & Clinical Psychology at London South Bank University (LSBU) explores the lived experience of psychological distress and equips students with the skills to work in both community and clinical settings. It suits graduates who want to engage deeply with mental health, prevention, and intervention—but students should note it does not qualify them to become a Registered Clinical Psychologist. 

Curriculum structure:
Over the 12-month (or 24-month part-time) course, students first study Exploring Mental Health & Distress in the Clinic & Community, where they examine distress from lived-experience and clinical perspectives.  In Research Methods for Mental Health, they develop both quantitative and qualitative research skills to prepare for postgraduate projects. The Psychosocial Interventions & Treatments module introduces therapeutic approaches, including CBT, systemic therapy, and counselling for working with individuals and groups.  Meanwhile, Experts by Experience invites those with personal experience of distress to teach and shape student perspectives.  Students also complete Introduction to Clinical Skills, gaining practical counselling techniques, and participate in a Placement Module, working directly with individuals or groups in mental health settings.  The programme is rounded off with a Dissertation, allowing students to carry out independent research on a mental health topic of their choice. 

Focus areas:
“mental distress; therapeutic interventions; clinical counselling; community psychology; research methods; lived-experience”

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to understand and evaluate mental distress from both clinical and community perspectives, apply psychosocial therapeutic methods, design and conduct rigorous applied research, and provide reflective professional practice informed by lived-experience.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
While this MSc enhances clinical-psychology-relevant skills, it does not confer practitioner psychologist registration or replace a doctoral-level clinical psychology qualification. 

Reputation (employability rankings):
LSBU has strong ties with the NHS and community mental health organisations; graduates frequently go into roles such as assistant psychologist, support worker, recovery worker, or progress toward doctoral-level clinical training.