Early Child Development and Clinical Applications MSc

UCL (University College London)

This programme, based at Anna Freud, provides a unique foundation for individuals interested in a clinical/psychotherapy training or a research/academic career in child development. The MSc combines a comprehensive multi-perspective understanding of development and clinical practice in the early years with a supervised clinical placement, a two-year observation of infants in a family setting, and a research project. This programme has a predominant psychoanalytic approach but focuses on giving a comprehensive multi-perspective understanding of development and clinical practice in the early years (i.e. prenatal to 5 years), considering biological and environmental influences. This is provided through teaching of psychoanalytic theories, developmental and neuroscience research, and current clinical practice, as well as a naturalistic observation of an infant in their family home. Students are able to apply this understanding in a supervised clinical placement usually in the NHS, the Anna Freud clinical services or external charities/organisations, as well as conducting an Anna Freud-led research project or alternatively in collaboration with external partners. This two-year full-time MSc programme (formerly known as MSc in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology) has undergone changes to bring it up to date with current research and clinical practice. Usually, prospective students have an undergraduate degree in psychology or another relevant social, clinical or life science discipline and have obtained some prior experience of related research. However, we also welcome applicants from other academic backgrounds and mature students already working with children or families. Some experience of working with children is also desirable if possible.