Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Psychiatry (MSc)

The School of Medicine also offers an e-Learning MSc in Psychiatry

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The Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences is one of the largest university psychiatry departments in the UK, providing leadership in clinical practice, teaching and high quality, cutting-edge research across many areas of psychiatric practice. The Institute offers courses in psychiatry leading to an MSc for qualified doctors wishing to train in this area.

Course Aims

We hope to provide the structure for psychiatric trainees in the UK to achieve an understanding of current psychiatric thinking and to carry out research, whilst also studying for the Membership examinations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Full-time students who are not junior psychiatrists in the UK are offered experience of clinical practice in a range of psychiatric settings within the NHS.

The course is also suitable for other medical graduates and from non-medical graduates in health sciences, biological sciences and psychology and also those working in professions allied to medicine in the field of psychiatry, who wish to gain specialist knowledge in the field of psychiatry. To help you determine if this course is suitable for you, the Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences offers further guidance notes, which you can access in the 'related resources' section of the course webpage.

Special Features

• The taught stages offer comprehensive coverage of sciences basic to psychiatry, critical appraisal, and theoretical and practical instruction in clinical psychiatry.
• The MSc includes supervised research experience in a variety of areas.
• Most of the course lectures are available to be viewed online as webcasts to aid study and revision and also for students who are unable to attend specific lectures.

Course Description

The MSc in Psychiatry is currently offered as a 1 year full-time programme or a 3 year part-time programme. Students obtaining 120 credits can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma, and students obtaining 60 credits can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate.

During the three terms, part-time students attend one day of timetabled academic study each week for approximately 27 weeks. For full-time students, each study week is divided into three days for clinical taster experiences or self-directed study, including the use of our extensive eLearning resources, and two days for timetabled academic study. Full-time MSc students also dedicate time to their research during the second half of the year. Part-time students will take three modules in Year 1 and three modules in Year 2. Full-time students will take six modules in a single year.

The MSc in Psychiatry course is modular. Full time students will take 6 modules in a single year. Each module will have its own exams and all modules must be passed by all students. Five modules are compulsory: Psychological aspects of Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology, neuropsychiatry & addiction; Clinical Topics 1; Clinical topics 2; and Evidence Based Medicine & Scientific Methodology. One further module must also be taken from a choice of four: Psychotherapy, Forensic Psychiatry, Old Age Psychiatry and Liaison Psychiatry. Each module will have its own examination based upon examinations set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Further details of the new course structure and details of modules are available from the 'related resources' section of the course webpage. The MSc in Psychiatry also requires submission of a 20,000 word research dissertation.

Available Modules

Part time students take three modules in year 1 and three modules in year 2, including one optional module from a choice of four. Full time students take 6 modules in a single year. Each module will have its own exams and all modules must be passed by all students.

Five modules are compulsory: 

• Psychological aspects of Psychiatry
• Psychopharmacology, neuropsychiatry & addiction
• Clinical Topics 1
• Clinical topics 2
• Evidence Based Medicine & scientific methodology

One further module must also be taken from a choice of four:

• Psychotherapy
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Liaison Psychiatry

Entry Requirements

Graduates in medicine from an approved university are eligible to apply. Applications from graduates in other health sciences, biological sciences or psychology are also welcomed. All psychiatric trainees working full-time or part-time in NHS posts are eligible to apply for the course. Overseas students will be expected to demonstrate a high level of English language competence (please see below).

Selection of applicants to this course will be on the basis of a completed application form and referees’ recommendations. Selection criteria include academic results, psychiatric clinical experience, evidence of an interest in psychiatry and proven competence in English.

The University requires postgraduate students whose first language is not English to have one of the following:

• An overall score of 6.5 in the British Council IELTS, with a minimum score of 6.5 in the written module;
• An overall score of 580 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a grade of 237 in the computer-based test (CBT)
• An overall score of 90 or above in the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT)
• A GCE or GCSE in English Language at Grade C or above.

Please note: Students should have taken either the TOEFL or the IETLS no more than two years before the proposed date of entry to the University. For more information, please visit our English language requirements page.

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.

Next intake: October each year

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