MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical)
About the course
The MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical) aims to provide students with a high-level of expertise in applying evidence-based findings to clinical practice.
To apply to this course you must have already completed or be in the process of completing the University's PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (see Entry requirements for further details). Your Postgraduate Diploma will be subsumed by the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical).
The MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical) will allow you to benefit from the range of specialist teaching and to obtain a high-level of proficiency in implementing evidence-based treatment across a wide range of clinical presentations, and in disseminating these treatments as trainers and supervisors to other practitioners.
This course is designed to help you achieve certain aims. By the end of the course you should be able to:
- appreciate how theory, research and clinical practice inform each other in cognitive behavioural therapy, contributing to its continued development
- establish and practise a repertoire of enhanced cognitive behavioural skills
- develop the ability to apply these skills with specialist patient groups and problem areas encountered in your own places of work
- establish and maintain warm, respectful, collaborative relationships, and develop the ability to understand and manage difficulties in the alliance (including your own contribution) using a cognitive conceptual framework
- through consultation, identify and resolve difficulties in practice, whether arising from theoretical, practical, interpersonal, personal or ethical problems.
You will be expected to have access to treatment settings with regular clinical and CBT supervision where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined on a regular basis.
Course structure
An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the optional elements of the course are provided in the Course components section of this page.
There are currently two pathways for this highly specialist training:
- Psychological Trauma and Personality Development
- Psychosis and Bipolar
The course structure will vary according to the specialist pathway chosen. Reading, completion of written assignments and presentations will be undertaken in addition to the teaching days. Many students find it effective to set aside at least six to seven hours a week for private study.
You will choose one specialist pathway, which you will follow for the duration of your course.
1. Psychological Trauma and Personality Development (11 months duration)
This innovative programme offers comprehensive, specialist training in Enhanced CBT with a strong grounding in current psychological and CBT theories and research.
Twenty days of training and supervision are spread over an academic year, between September and July. These can be accessed online or face-to-face, although face-to-face attendance is encouraged. Four days of teaching across September and October (a combination of workshops and self-directed learning), are followed by four intensive four-day teaching blocks in January, March, May and July. One training day in each block is open to a wider clinical audience. This enables course participants to interact and share with a broader group of specialist practitioners.
There are ten, expert-led, small group clinical supervision sessions between November and May. Over the duration of the course, you will normally be expected to engage in CBT with at least four patients with a significant trauma history, which has impacted on their current mental health presentation, and/or who have personality development issues that impair functioning. It is expected that these patients demonstrate complex, co-morbid and/or interpersonal difficulties. Therapy must demonstrate the Enhanced CBT skills and knowledge relevant to working with this population. You will be expected to complete therapy with at least one patient over the duration of the course, although students are encouraged to arrange their caseloads so that more than one patient completes therapy before the end of this training.
Coursework is spread over the period of training; four assignments are summative.
2. Psychosis and Bipolar (11 months duration)
This specialism seeks to enable students to develop a sound understanding of cognitive behavioural models of psychosis and the related evidence base.
The course comprises teaching over three terms: running from September to the end of June. Teaching and supervision typically take place on the same day every week and students should keep these days free during term time for course related teaching, supervision, and study. There will also be some additional days required for teaching and supervision (a total of five days across terms one and two). At least 20% of the teaching days are held in Oxford which you will be expected to attend in person. Some non-teaching days will be used for small-group supervision and self-directed study throughout the year.
Attendance
This course is part-time. You will be required to attend course-related activities in Oxford, including residential sessions.
The attendance requirements for the course vary depending on your chosen pathway. Please refer to the Course structure above for full details.
Resources to support your study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students to support with learning and research, as well as guidance on what technology to bring with you as a new student at Oxford.
All students have free access to the full catalogue of Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre online training library, comprising an extensive programme of video demonstrations and tutorials on a range of CBT skills and clinical presentations.
The virtual learning platform for the course contains a wide variety of resources to supplement the live teaching and to direct self-study. The department provides various IT facilities, including the Student Computing Facility which provides individual PCs for your use.
The Rewley House Continuing Education Library, one of the Bodleian Libraries, is situated in Rewley House. The department aims to support the wide variety of subjects covered by departmental courses at many academic levels. The department also has a collection of around 73,000 books together with periodicals. The Jessop Reading Room adjoining the library is available for study.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre and this role will usually be performed by the Course Director. You will meet as part of the small group supervision required in each specialist pathway.
It is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor may be found outside the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre.
Assessment
Summative assessment requirements vary according to the specialist pathway that you have chosen.
1. Psychological Trauma and Personality Development
- One Clinical Recording
- One Case Presentation of up to 20 minutes duration
- One Clinical Assessment of not more than 2,000 words
- One Case Report of not more than 4,000 words
2. Psychosis and Bipolar
- Two Clinical Recordings
- One Case Presentation of up to 20 minutes duration
- One Case Report of not more than 6,000 words
Graduate destinations
Some of the students who have previously completed this course have progressed to more senior clinical roles within the NHS.
Changes to this course
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Course components
Pathway selection
You will choose from one of two pathways:
- Psychological Trauma and Personality Development
- Psychosis and Bipolar
You may have already completed one or two of these specialist pathways while undertaking the PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and you will need to choose a different pathway for this course.
Pathway 1. Psychological Trauma and Personality Development (11 months duration)
This innovative programme offers comprehensive, specialist training in Enhanced CBT with a strong grounding in current psychological and CBT theories and research. It is designed to offer an in-depth understanding of the range of difficulties experienced by those who have experienced developmental trauma and adversity, alongside an in-depth understanding of the personality development issues that can have a significant impact on functioning. The course highlights the CBT principles, theory and research that can guide optimal treatment delivery to people living with the legacy of trauma and/or with personality development issues.
Over the duration of the course, you will normally be expected to engage in CBT with at least four patients with a significant trauma history.
You will be expected to complete therapy with at least one patient over the duration of the course, although students are encouraged to arrange their caseloads so that more than one patient completes therapy before the end of this training.
Coursework is spread over the period of training; four assignments are summative.
Pathway 2. Psychosis and Bipolar (11 months duration)
This specialism seeks to enable students to develop a sound understanding of cognitive behavioural models of psychosis and the related evidence base; competence in engaging, assessing and developing collaborative formulations with individuals with psychotic and bipolar presentations and competence to deliver high quality, individualised, evidence-based interventions in accordance with NICE guidance and the competence framework for work with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder (Roth & Pilling 2013), and the Health Education England national curriculum for CBT for severe mental health presentations.
Entry requirements for entry in 2026-27
Proven and potential academic excellence
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our guidance to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying.
Degree-level qualifications
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
- a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant subject; and
- normally at least a merit award in the PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, completed successfully at the University of Oxford (provided in collaboration with the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre).
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.
If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.
GRE General Test scores
No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
Applicants are normally expected to have at least two year's post-qualification clinical experience, and:
- be qualified members of one of the main National Health Service professions, eg clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, general practitioners, occupational therapists, or other recognised professions, eg social worker; OR
- hold the equivalent of a core profession as defined by BABCPs Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes criteria.
Publications are not expected.
Specific requirements for the Psychological Trauma and Personality Development pathway
Applicants should:
- be competent in formulating anxiety disorders, PTSD and depression, and in conceptualising interpersonal and systemic issues;
- be competent in using cognitive behavioural approach to treat anxiety disorders, PTSD and depression;
- work in an environment that enables them to offer CBT-based interventions to patients with clinical presentations following exposure to psychological trauma and/or personality development issues;
- have access to adult treatment settings where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined on a regular basis throughout the course;
- have access to regular clinical and CBT supervision from a supervisor who is BABCP accredited;
- have support from their employer for providing the time and suitable clinical opportunities necessary for completing the course. This should include the option for face-to-face delivery of CBT and
- have in place appropriate duty of care arrangements for all patients. Where CBT is being delivered online, students, patients and field supervisors should reside in the same country.
These arrangements should be acknowledged in your personal statement and will be discussed in detail at interview if you are shortlisted.
Specific requirements for the Psychosis and Bipolar pathway
Applicants should:
- be competent in using a cognitive behavioural approach to treat anxiety disorders and depression;
- have access to appropriate adult treatment settings with regular clinical and CBT supervision where cognitive behavioural therapy skills for working with those with psychosis and bipolar presentations can be practised and refined on a regular basis throughout the course;
- have support from their employer for providing the time and suitable clinical opportunities necessary for completing the course. Face-to-face delivery of CBT(face to face therapy should be the primary mode of delivery). Where CBT is being delivered online, appropriate duty of care arrangements will be expected to be in place, including that students, patients and field supervisors reside in the same country. These arrangements should be described in your personal statement and will be discussed in detail at interview, should you be shortlisted; and
- demonstrate commitment to developing CBT skills for use with clients with psychosis and bipolar.
These arrangements should be acknowledged in your personal statement and will be discussed in detail at interview if you are shortlisted.
English language proficiency
This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.
| Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum score per component |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (Institution code: 0713) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT* including the 'Home Edition' (Institution code: 0490) | 110 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| C1 Advanced† | 191 | 185 |
| C2 Proficiency‡ | 191 | 185 |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 165 | 155 |
*Changes to the TOEFL iBT test are being introduced on 21 January 2026. The University will not accept TOEFL tests taken from that date to meet the English language condition until a review of the revised test has been completed. Our Application Guide provides full details of the tests we accept.
†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
‡Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement.
Declaring extenuating circumstances
If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.
References
You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Supporting documents
You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Performance at interview
Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.
Applicants will be shortlisted in accordance with their ability to meet the criteria for admissions. Interviews will usually be held four to six weeks after the application deadline.
Interviews will normally be held online and will be conducted by two members of the course team. They will usually last about 45 minutes and include questions about your professional background and submitted research proposal for the research strand, and either a role-play to assess clinical skills or a brief presentation on a relevant topic for the clinical strand.
If you are invited to attend an interview, you may be asked about your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description (eg completing coursework, assessments, and attending course and University events and modules).
Offer conditions for successful applications
If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our 'After you apply' pages provide more information about offers and conditions.
In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:
Financial Declaration
If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration in order to meet your financial condition of admission.
Disclosure of criminal convictions
In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.
Evidence of ability to study for employed part-time applicants
If you are currently employed, you may be asked to provide evidence that your employment will not affect your ability to study and that you can commit sufficient time to fulfil all elements outlined in the course description. You may be asked to provide details about your pattern of employment and provide evidence to show how you will fulfil your commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. You may also be asked to obtain a statement from your employer confirming their commitment to make time available for you to study, eg to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules.
Other factors governing whether places can be offered
The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
- the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
- minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.
Funding
For entry in the 2026-27 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.
If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible, use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including a range of external funding, loan schemes for postgraduate study and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on our fees, funding and scholarship search tool.
Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:
Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.
For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.
Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.
Costs
Annual course fees
The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.
Fees for the 2026-27 academic year at the University of Oxford
Fee status | Annual Course fees |
| Home | £6,270 |
| Overseas | £6,270 |
What do course fees cover?
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional costs information below.
How long do I need to pay course fees?
Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year fees will usually increase annually, as explained in the University’s Terms and Conditions.
Where can I find more information about fees?
Our fees and other charges pages provide further information, including details about:
- course fees and fee liability;
- how your fee status is determined; and
- changes to fees and other charges.
Information about how much fees and other costs will usually increase each academic year is set out in the University's Terms and Conditions.
Additional costs
Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for teaching sessions, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Accommodation costs in Oxford can start at around £98 per night in a department/college or around £120 in a hotel (single rate). Students should also factor in costs for meals during their stay. In addition, as part of your course requirements, you will need to choose a dissertation topic. This element of the course is mandatory and forms part of the assessment for the course. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, equipment, and materials. You will need to meet these additional costs yourself. There are no other compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs.
Living costs
In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
Living costs for part-time study
Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford in the 2026-27 academic year is between £1,405 and £2,105 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.
Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (if visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).
Further information about living costs
The current economic climate and periods of high national inflation in recent years make it harder to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2026-27 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation.
A breakdown of likely living costs for one month during the 2026-27 academic year are shown below. These costs are based on a single, full-time graduate student, with no dependants, living in Oxford.
| Lower range | Upper range | |
|---|---|---|
| Food | £315 | £545 |
| Accommodation | £825 | £990 |
| Personal items | £160 | £310 |
| Social activities | £50 | £130 |
| Study costs | £35 | £90 |
| Other | £20 | £40 |
| Total | £1,405 | £2,105 |
For information about how these figures have been calculated as well as tables showing the likely living costs for nine and twelve months, please refer to the living costs page of our website.
College preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference.
If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide.
The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Clinical):
Before you apply
Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application, including advice to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance. Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.
Application fee waivers
An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
- applicants from low-income countries;
- refugees and displaced persons;
- UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and
- applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.
You are encouraged to check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver before you apply.
Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?
You do not need to contact the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.
Completing your application
You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.
For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application.
If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.
Referees:
Three overall, at least one professional and one academic
Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.
A professional reference from your current clinical supervisor is required and at least one of your references should be academic.
Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, ability to work in a group and clinical ability.
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.
Statement of purpose
A maximum of 1,500 words
Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford. You should explain your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you. This statement should include how you anticipate the training will enhance your practice and what you hope to gain from the course.
You should state which of the two specialisms you are applying for.
You will be expected to have access to treatment settings with regular clinical and CBT supervision where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined on a regular basis. Therefore, you should describe how you will gain access to suitable training cases and regular CBT supervision during your time on the course. These arrangements will be discussed in detail at interview, should you be shortlisted.
You should provide evidence of your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description (eg completing coursework, assessments, and attending course and University events and modules).
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
This will be assessed for:
- your motivation for applying to this particular courses
- your relevant academic, research, or practical experience;
- your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description if you are applying for part-time study; and
- the areas of study within the subject that interest you.
Start or continue your application
You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please refer to the requirements above and consult our Application Guide for advice.
After you've submitted your application
Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can find out more about our shortlisting and selection process in our detailed guide to what happens next.
Find out how to manage your application after submission, using our Applicant Self-Service tool.