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Affective Disorders MSc

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New scholarships for 2020 entry. Find out more and apply here.

We are proud to have been awarded an IoPPN Excellence Award in 2018 for student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Education Survey (PTES).

By 2020, affective disorders are predicted to be the second leading contributor to the global burden of disease. Our Affective Disorders MSc is one of the few options for specialist training in the field.  

Learn the latest thinking from our experts at the Centre for Affective Disorders. Then use your own insight to enhance your practice or research. Whether you have a psychology or medical background, this course allows you to expand your expertise or begin a new chapter in your career. 

 

 


Key benefits 

  • A unique opportunity to study the causes and treatments of affective disorders 

  • Take part in a clinical observership that gives you first-hand experience observing presentations, treatments and outcomes in a specialised affective disorder service 

  • Get insight from the latest research at the KCL Centre for Affective Disorders 

  • Specialise in a range of disorders linked to your career – whether you’re a psychiatrist, psychologist, GP or pharmaceutical scientist in the UK or overseas 

Teaching 

Our teaching staff are active researchers and experienced clinicians, many of them are involved in the Centre for Affective Disorders. We also bring in experts in related areas to give lectures on specific topics. 

The course involves a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. Teaching is often in small groups, so you get a high level of support.

Key information

Application status Closed

Duration 1 year FT, September-September

Study mode Full-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course intake 15+ FT students

Course leaders

Dr Roland Zahn

Dr Paul Stokes 

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

Programme Administrator E: affdis@kcl.ac.uk

Programme email: affdis@kcl.ac.uk

Programme phone number:  

+44 (0)20 7836 0150

 

 

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

Department Department of Psychological Medicine Division of Academic Psychiatry

Locations

 

Explore campuses

Learn more about Affective Disorders

In the heart of London

Affective Disorders is a brand new and unique MSc programme taught at the world renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Watch Course Director Professor Allan Young and other world class experts in the field of Affective Disorders, to find out how this programme will provide a solid understanding of the concepts, theories and practicalities relevant to the Affective Disorders.

Watch more videos


Course detail

Description

Explore the causes and treatments for a full range of mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. Our course is one of the only specialist graduate degrees to focus exclusively on affective disorders. 

King’s is home to the Centre for Affective Disorders. The teaching staff on your course are also members of the research group, so you’ll have access to expertise in all aspects of the subject. Combined with the latest findings in psychiatry, psychology, genetics, neuroscience and biostatistics, you’ll develop a broad knowledge of the behaviours and symptoms of different disorders. 

Your research project gives you a chance to explore a topic in real depth. You can choose from a range of subjects based around the expertise in our faculty, or develop your own project based on your interests. 

As well as insight and academic knowledge of the subject, you’ll also develop practical experience when participating in our clinical observership programme. You’ll spend 10 sessions at one of the specialist mental health units at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and 10 additional sessions at KCL taking part in clinical case discussions 

“Knowledge of affective disorders is relevant to anyone doing research in the area, or anyone working clinically as psychologists or psychiatrists.” 

Dr Roland Zahn, Course Co-Leader

Further literature

For information on open day events visit our Events Page

Course format and assessment

Format

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Causes and Correlates of Affective Disorders

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (15 hours) | Self-study time (240 hours)

Challenges in Treating Affective Disorders

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (15 hours) | Self-study time (240 hours)

Research Methods and Statistics for Studying Affective Disorders

Lectures (29.5 hours) | Field/lab/studio/supervised learning (17.5 hours) | Self-study time (253 hours)

Understanding Affective Disorders

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (15 hours) | Self-study time (240 hours)

Research Project on Affective Disorders

Self-study time (600 hours)

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Course Assessment

The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations and coursework. The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.

Extra information

Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Other related courses:

Clinical Neuroscience Msc

Early Intervention in Psychosis MSc

Structure

Year 1

Required Modules
    Students on this course are required to take: 

  • Understanding Affective Disorders (30 credits)

  • Causes and Correlates of Affective Disorders (30 credits)

  • Challenges in Treating Affective Disorders (30 credits)

  • Research Methods & Statistics for Studying Affective Disorders (30 credits)

  • Research Project on Affective Disorders (60 credits)

Optional Modules

There are no optional modules for this course.

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.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Affective Disorders entry requirements
Minimum requirements   2:1

A minimum 2:1 degree classification will be required in medicine, psychology, nursing, pharmacy, professions allied to medicine (e.g. radiography), or a scientific degree such as biomedical science, or neuroscience.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International requirements    Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band D Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements. 

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies.

Applications are normally processed within two weeks of the receipt of the applicant’s completed references. However, during February and March, applicants may take longer to process due to the volume we receive at this time.

All applicants are welcome to visit the department by arrangement. Please call or email us to arrange this.

After review of the initial application, the admissions tutor may invite selected candidates to interview. It will be possible for overseas applicants to make arrangements to be interviewed via Skype or phone.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Affective Disorders checklist
Personal Statement Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please outline your relevant experience in the field, your reasons for applying for the course, and your future goals.

In particular, please detail any previous training in, and experience of working with people with affective disorders, and how you intend to use the knowledge and skills you acquire to further your clinical or research ambitions. This information is particularly important for applicants coming from a non-scientific background. This section should also be used to draw attention to any special circumstances that should be taken into account when the application is considered.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 26th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.
For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below:

  • EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30th July 2021

  • Home fee status: 27th August 2021

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home fees: £13,380 per year (2021/22)
  • Full time overseas fees: £31,350 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time Home fees: N/A
  • Part time overseas fees: N/A

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30th April 2021.

  • If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

  • If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.                       

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

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

·         Books if you choose to buy your own copies 

·         DBS checks

·         Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 

·         Library fees and fines 

·         Personal photocopies 

·         Printing course handouts 

·         Society membership fees 

·         Stationery 

·         Travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and to your optional clinical placement

·         Graduation costs

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

  • books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • DBS checks
  • clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • library fees and fines
  • personal photocopies
  • printing course handouts
  • society membership fees
  • stationery
  • travel costs for travel around London, between campuses and to your optional clinical observership
  • graduation costs.

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

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Your grasp of affective disorders will be useful in a range of career directions.  

Our graduates have progressed on to Research Assistant positions, Well-Being Practitioner roles, IAPT training, further MSc courses, and PhD studies and the programme is often considered a useful stepping stone for those wishing to apply for a place on a Clinical Psychology doctorate training course in the future. 

You could also move into policy work or enhance your existing career in a clinical environment. 

Career destinations

Graduate destinations - 3 months to 1 year after completing the MSc Affective Disorders

  • Head of Hospital Clinical Therapy Programme Department
  • Children’s wellbeing practitioner
  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner
  • Recovery worker
  • Psychotherapist in training
  • PhD student
  • Psychiatrist
  • Assistant Psychologist in an inpatient ward
  • Support Worker for a third sector organisation
  • Research assistant at Epidemiology and Biostatistics department
  • Professional Doctoral trainee in Counselling Psychology (DPsych)
  • Social media account manager 

Testimonials

Our students

Our students

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey. Testimonials to the benefit of our course: 

"Overall it is a well-structured program, which offers in depth knowledge about a range of evolving issues in psychiatry".

"The interactive teaching style ‐ not just focussing on what is known but on what is not known and importantly also on what is only assumed".

"The level of knowledge that is imparted to us from experts in the field and the encouragement of stimulating discussion and debate".

"Stimulating lectures from experts in the field".

"I learned a lot about medication, different pathways to the progression of the mental health problems, and alternative ways to challenge the progression of the illness".

Affective Disorders

Mohammed Bashar

Mohammed Bashar

The MSc showered me with cutting edge research, the provision of world renowned authorities and the opportunity to conduct research. After completing this MSc, I am certain I want to pursue a career in Psychiatry. I was honoured to be awarded the Centre for Affective Disorders Award for Outstanding Academic Performance and this has further motivated me to apply for the Academic Foundation Programme after completing my medical studies.

This well taught course has given me the skills and confidence to get involved in research as well as to disseminate the knowledge via my university societies, charities and organisations in the wider community. I hope to complete a PhD later on in my psychiatric training. If there’s a place to help blossom your career in psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience, it is the IoPPN.

Julian Mutz

Julian Mutz

I initially enrolled on the programme because of its clear focus on mood disorders. It goes without saying that the programme shaped the way I think about mental illness and that it drew my attention to many recent developments in the field of affective disorders.

I am currently working in a research assistant position at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Imperial College London. In the near future I will study for a PhD, with the long term goal of becoming an independent researcher. My advice for current (and future) students on the MSc programme is to engage with members of staff during/after lectures and to always critically reflect on methods. Also, good ethical & research practices will lead to better academic outcomes in the long run.

Research Assistant

Sarah Atayero

Sarah Atayero

The focus of the course is on mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. It’s taught through a variety of techniques such as lectures, seminars, case presentations, workshops and clinical placements. I really like this aspect, students are not solely assessed through essays and exams and I’m acquiring new skills I will need in the future as a practicing Clinical Psychologist.

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

Next steps

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