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Postgraduate degree

CYP-PT Therapies PG Dip

Psychology

Please note next start date is January 2026.

Key information

Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
120 credits
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
January 2026

This programme is an initiative from the Department of Health, which supports the government’s priority to increase access to evidence based mental health interventions for children and young people. Students on this course learn core therapeutic skills for working with children and young people. They then specialise in an evidence-based therapy. We are jointly commissioned with UCL, and at KCL we offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Parent training and Systemic Family Practice. During training, students attend lectures, clinical skills workshops, and small video feedback tutor groups at university, while practising clinically under supervision at their site. They learn how to deliver evidence-based interventions for common mental health problems, and how to evaluate the success of the interventions in a way that is meaningful for children, young people, and their families. They learn service project, presentation and workshop skills, and clinical competencies are assessed with video sessions and case reports.

Key benefits

  • Competence in delivery of evidence based mental health interventions for common mental health problems in children and young people in community settings.
  • Being part of an exciting initiative and programme that increases access to mental health care for children and young people.
  • Increased competence in presentation skills and workshop delivery.
  • Development of service project and case presentation skills.
  • Being part of a bonded team of staff and students from diverse education and training backgrounds, at university and at site.

Base campus

Main building at the Denmark Hill campus
Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

CBT pathway:

  • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
  • AND/OR a registerable professional qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. medicine, psychology, social work, nursing) from a UK university of overseas professional qualification of an equivalent standards
  • At least one year’s experience working therapeutically with children/young people in a mental health setting
  • Desirable: Previous experience of working within a CBT framework
  • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

Systemic Family Practice pathway:

  • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
  • AND a registerable professional qualification (e.g. as a counselling/clinical/educational psychologist, social worker, counsellor, mental health nurse, teacher/SENCO, occupational therapist).
  • Applications MAY be considered from those with a relevant first degree who do not have a registerable processional training if they have at least 3 years’ experience in a CAMHS or equivalent setting.
  • Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and young people
  • Experience of working with children/young people in a mental health setting
  • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

Parent Training pathway

  • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
  • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level
  • Two years’ experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of children and young people or families
  • Experience of working professionally with children & families (e.g., as family support worker; teaching assistant)
  • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

Teaching methods - what to expect

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, clinical skills workshops/tutorials and online activities.

Module name

Lectures (hours)

Seminars/ tutorials (hours)

Self-directed study (hours)

Total (hours)

1 Core Therapeutic Skills for CYP

120

30

450

600 (60 credits)

2 CBT for Anxiety, PTSD, OCD and BDD in CYP

60

30

210

300 (30 credits)

3 CBT for Depression in CYP

60

30

210

300

4 Parent Training for Conduct Problems

120

30

450

600

5 Systemic Family Practice: Basic Skills

60

30

210

300

6 Systemic Family Practice: Eating Disorders

60

30

210

300

7 Systemic Family Practice: Conduct Disorders

30

18

102

150 (15 credits)

8 Systemic family practice: Depression and self harm

30

18

102

150

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

    The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

    Structure

    Required modules

    All students are required to take: - Module 1 Core Therapeutical Skills for CYP Students on the CBT Stream take Modules 2 & 3 in addition. Students on the Parent Training Stream take Module 4 in addition. Students on the Systemic Family Practice take Module 5 and either Module 6, or both Module 7 & 8.

    1 Core Therapeutic Skills for CYP (60 credits)
    2 CBT for Anxiety, PTSD, OCD and BDD in CYP (30 credits)
    3 CBT for Depression in CYP (30 credits)
    4 Parent Training for Conduct Problems (60 Credits)
    5 Systemic Family Practice: Basic Skills (30 Credits)
    6 Systemic Family Practice: Eating Disorders (15 Credits)
    7 Systemic Family Practice: Conduct Disorders (15 Credits)
    8 Systemic Family Practice: Depression and Self Harm (15 Credits)

    Optional modules

    Available pathways according to chosen stream: Module 1 + 2 and 3 Module 1 + 4 Module 1 + 5 and 6 1 + 5 + 7 and 8 These modules are decided on accepting the place and NOT on completion of module 1. The evidence-based modality you train in is according to a specific number of places commissioned nationally and so it is not possible to move between modalities once the place has been commissioned. For more information on national curricula and qualification standards, please contact the course team.

    King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

    Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

    Employability

    Graduates frequently continue in the field of mental health and wellbeing, and to obtain relevant professional accreditations in their chosen evidence-based modality.

    Tuition Fees

    UK:

    Full time: Fees are paid by NHS England

    Part time: N/A

    International:

    Full time: N/A

    Part time: N/A

    Deposit

    Please note that for this course fees are paid by NHS England: you are not required to pay a deposit.

    Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

    Additional Costs

    In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

    • books if you choose to buy your own copies.
    • library fees and fines
    • society membership fees.
    • stationery
    • travel costs for travel to and around London and between campuses/accommodation for your stay in London
    • graduation costs.

    Funding

    To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

    Base campus

    Main building at the Denmark Hill campus
    Denmark Hill Campus

    Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.

    Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

    Regulating bodies

    King's is regulated by the Office for Students

    CBT pathway:

    • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
    • AND/OR a registerable professional qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. medicine, psychology, social work, nursing) from a UK university of overseas professional qualification of an equivalent standards
    • At least one year’s experience working therapeutically with children/young people in a mental health setting
    • Desirable: Previous experience of working within a CBT framework
    • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

    Systemic Family Practice pathway:

    • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
    • AND a registerable professional qualification (e.g. as a counselling/clinical/educational psychologist, social worker, counsellor, mental health nurse, teacher/SENCO, occupational therapist).
    • Applications MAY be considered from those with a relevant first degree who do not have a registerable processional training if they have at least 3 years’ experience in a CAMHS or equivalent setting.
    • Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and young people
    • Experience of working with children/young people in a mental health setting
    • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

    Parent Training pathway

    • Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
    • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level
    • Two years’ experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of children and young people or families
    • Experience of working professionally with children & families (e.g., as family support worker; teaching assistant)
    • Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D)

    Teaching methods - what to expect

    You will be taught through a mix of lectures, clinical skills workshops/tutorials and online activities.

    Module name

    Lectures (hours)

    Seminars/ tutorials (hours)

    Self-directed study (hours)

    Total (hours)

    1 Core Therapeutic Skills for CYP

    120

    30

    450

    600 (60 credits)

    2 CBT for Anxiety, PTSD, OCD and BDD in CYP

    60

    30

    210

    300 (30 credits)

    3 CBT for Depression in CYP

    60

    30

    210

    300

    4 Parent Training for Conduct Problems

    120

    30

    450

    600

    5 Systemic Family Practice: Basic Skills

    60

    30

    210

    300

    6 Systemic Family Practice: Eating Disorders

    60

    30

    210

    300

    7 Systemic Family Practice: Conduct Disorders

    30

    18

    102

    150 (15 credits)

    8 Systemic family practice: Depression and self harm

    30

    18

    102

    150

    Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks.

    Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

    Assessment

      The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

      Structure

      Required modules

      All students are required to take: - Module 1 Core Therapeutical Skills for CYP Students on the CBT Stream take Modules 2 & 3 in addition. Students on the Parent Training Stream take Module 4 in addition. Students on the Systemic Family Practice take Module 5 and either Module 6, or both Module 7 & 8.

      1 Core Therapeutic Skills for CYP (60 credits)
      2 CBT for Anxiety, PTSD, OCD and BDD in CYP (30 credits)
      3 CBT for Depression in CYP (30 credits)
      4 Parent Training for Conduct Problems (60 Credits)
      5 Systemic Family Practice: Basic Skills (30 Credits)
      6 Systemic Family Practice: Eating Disorders (15 Credits)
      7 Systemic Family Practice: Conduct Disorders (15 Credits)
      8 Systemic Family Practice: Depression and Self Harm (15 Credits)

      Optional modules

      Available pathways according to chosen stream: Module 1 + 2 and 3 Module 1 + 4 Module 1 + 5 and 6 1 + 5 + 7 and 8 These modules are decided on accepting the place and NOT on completion of module 1. The evidence-based modality you train in is according to a specific number of places commissioned nationally and so it is not possible to move between modalities once the place has been commissioned. For more information on national curricula and qualification standards, please contact the course team.

      King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

      Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

      Employability

      Graduates frequently continue in the field of mental health and wellbeing, and to obtain relevant professional accreditations in their chosen evidence-based modality.

      Tuition Fees

      UK:

      Full time: Fees are paid by NHS England

      Part time: N/A

      International:

      Full time: N/A

      Part time: N/A

      Deposit

      Please note that for this course fees are paid by NHS England: you are not required to pay a deposit.

      Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

      Additional Costs

      In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

      • books if you choose to buy your own copies.
      • library fees and fines
      • society membership fees.
      • stationery
      • travel costs for travel to and around London and between campuses/accommodation for your stay in London
      • graduation costs.

      Funding

      To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

      Application closing date guidance

      The applications portal is open for the January 2026 intake from August 1st – 24th November 2025.

      Course start date: 19th January 2026.

      Key information

      Course type:
      Single honours
      Delivery mode:
      In person
      Study mode:
      Full time
      Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
      120 credits
      Application status:
      Closed
      Start date:
      January 2026

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      For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below

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