Overview

Scholarships available, see Fees & Funding section for more information.

The overall aim of the programme is to develop a holistic understanding of the prevalence, aetiology, research and clinical management of neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan, with a clinical focus on the adult population.

Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Key benefits

  • Located at the heart of Europe’s largest institute for psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience.
  • Compulsory clinical observation placement developing insight into clinical services.
  • Access to large sets of clinical data from the world renowned Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).
  • Partnership of the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust, we offer students an unrivalled opportunity to take classroom learning directly into a translational research setting.
  • Learn from world-leading scientists at King’s College London.
  • Utilisation of delivery methods that offer students a rich, exciting experience from the start.
  • Complementation and support of in-person teaching with innovative online technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Course essentials

On this course, you’ll develop your understanding of 'neurotypical' brain development. This will help you understand the biological basis of neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact they have. At the same time, we’ll look at areas like intellectual disability and research methods.

A real highlight of this course is learning how research can be applied to practice. To help you understand the latest advances in the field, we’ll discuss different brain imaging methods and basic genetics. And, for your research project, we’ll challenge you to look at a current issue in more detail.

Many students on this course join us after completing their BSc – this is normally in psychology or another science. But, if you’re already working in the field, studying this course part time is a great opportunity to learn from experts and arm yourself with expertise for your role.

If you’ve come straight from your degree, you might not have any practical experience yet. But, with a placement as part of the course, we can guarantee that you’ll spend time in a clinic that specifically deals with neurodevelopmental disorders.

King’s is a joint lead on Autism Innovative Medicine Studies-2-Trials (AIMS-2-Trials), the world’s largest autism grant. As a student at King’s, you’ll work alongside the experts – and you might even decide to use the data for your dissertation project.

By the end of the course, you’ll have an expert understanding of the theory, evidence, and practice behind neurodevelopmental disorders. We’ll also make sure you’re confident carrying out research that could move the field forward.

Key Information

Course type:

Master's

Delivery mode:

In person

Study mode:

Full time / Part time

Duration:

One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September

Credit value:

UK 180/ECTS 90

Application status:

Open

Start date:

September 2026

Administrative bodies

Regulating body

Application closing date guidance

Base campus

Students outside the main building at Denmark Hill

Denmark Hill Campus

Denmark Hill, in Southwark, London, is a vibrant area known for its historical landmarks and green spaces. Home to King's College and the Maudsley Hospitals, it also features Ruskin Park, named after John Ruskin, and the Camberwell College of Arts.