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Home Admissions Graduate Courses MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

ADMISSION STATUS

MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Open to applications for entry in

2023-24

LAST UPDATED
Therapy
19 DEC 2022
ABOUT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS RESOURCES FUNDING AND COSTS COLLEGE PREFERENCE HOW TO APPLY DEADLINES 12:00 midday UK time on:
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Friday 20 January 2023
Latest deadline for most Oxford

About the course scholarships

Wednesday 1 March 2023

This course aims to provide students with a high-level of expertise in applying Final application deadline for entry in
evidence-based findings to clinical practice. 2023-24

Students are admitted to the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy via one of two KEY
  FACTS Part Time Only
strands: 
Course code† TM_ TM_
GT9P9C3 GT9P9C4
Research strand (TM_GT9P9C3)
Expected length 24 5 to 11
The strand guides students through the process of developing and implementing an months months
independent research project in their own clinical setting. This two-year, research-based (see
award is an extension to the PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and provides a note)
foundation for carrying out research and publishing an academic paper.
Places in 2023-24 c. tbc

This strand is designed to help you achieve certain aims. If you are admitted to this strand, Applications/year* 4 11
by the end of the course you should be able to:
Expected start 20 September 2023
display knowledge and understanding of general research principles and
English language Higher level
methodology, and demonstrate how these may be used within your own clinical work,
required
and in the design and completion of an independent research project
interpret and evaluate theoretical literature relevant to the provision of cognitive †Students are admitted via one of two
therapy or cognitive therapy services
strands
use established bodies of knowledge as a basis for developing your own ideas for *Two-year average for TM_GT9P9C3 (19-
research 20 and 21-22); One year of applications
understand the value of an evidence-based approach to psychological treatment, for TM_GT9P9C4 (21-22)
including the distinctive contributions of efficacy and effectiveness research trials to
clinical practice, and the use of clinical audit and other service evaluation approaches
show evidence of the capacity to apply knowledge of research principles and practice
in designing and carrying out an independent research project, using appropriate
FURTHER INFORMATION AND
methodology and analysing and discussing results ENQUIRIES
use and interpret a variety of appropriate psychometric instruments to assess patient This course is offered by the
pathology and evaluate progress and outcome in treatment Department for Continuing Education
write clear and literate assignments (research project proposal and final dissertation)
Course page on the department's
that comply with established conventions of presentation and referencing.
website
Funding information from the
The teaching element of this strand of the course is provided through tutorials. These are
department
spread out over two years with an initial three-day meeting followed by one- or two-day
Academic staff
tutorials several times during the year. Supervision is additionally provided on a one-to- Departmental research
one basis throughout the course.  Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre
Continuing Education Graduate School
Some of the teaching days on this strand of the course may be made available to a wider Postgraduate applicant privacy policy
audience as publicly bookable workshops via the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. All
Course-related enquiries
participants will be expected to have an appropriate level of competence to participate
fully. [email protected]
+44 (0)1865 270388
Field supervisors, or local supervisors, give practical guidance in the workplace and advise
Application-process enquiries
and support students in carrying out the research. Students should have ready access to
See the application guide
local supervisors for guidance regarding research practicalities in their area. 

Each student will be allocated a supervisor from Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre staff
during the academic year, although the practical emphasis for supervision rests with the
field supervisor.  VISA ELIGIBILITY FOR PART-TIME
STUDY
Further details We are unable to sponsor student visas
The official course title of this strand is "MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Part- for part-time study on this course. Part-
time students may be able to attend on a
time)" and its course code is TM_GT9P9C3. If you apply to be considered for this strand of
visitor visa for short blocks of time only
the course, this title and/or course code will be visible in the Graduate Application Form,
(and leave after each visit) and will need
Graduate Applicant Self Service and on official documents and correspondence. to remain based outside the UK.

Clinical strand (TM_GT9P9C4)

This strand allows students to benefit from the range of specialist teaching available in
the new course structure 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.

As a student undertaking this strand of the course, you will need to have already
completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at the University
of Oxford/Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. Your Postgraduate Diploma will be subsumed
by the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. 

This strand is designed to help you achieve certain aims. If you are admitted to this strand,
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. 

There are currently five pathways for this strand representing different specialisms:
Children and Adolescents, CBT for comorbid, chronic and systemic difficulties (formerly
Complex Presentations), Psychological Trauma and Personality Development, Psychosis
and Bipolar and Supervision and Training. You will choose one specialist pathway, which
you will follow for the duration of your course. You will have already completed one or two
of these specialist pathways while undertaking the University of Oxford Postgraduate
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and you will need to choose a different
specialism for this course. The duration of each specialist pathway will vary but will not
exceed one year.

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. These arrangements should be described in your personal statement and
will be discussed in detail at interview, should you be shortlisted.

1. Children and Adolescents

Designed to equip clinicians for work with children, adolescents and their families, this
pathway offers specialist supervision and teaching that covers general principles of
adapting CBT for children, young people and families, including developmental, systemic
and ethical/professional issues. The course will take a transdiagnostic focus, with some
teaching on relevant topics shared with students on the CBT for comorbid, chronic and
systemic difficulties pathway.

Students are expected to carry out CBT with at least three suitable patients during the
course and will receive two hours of small group supervision on a bi-weekly basis.

The pathway begins with a two -day induction block and then attendance is required for
two days bi-weekly, for training workshops. The duration of this course is five months and
it runs from March to July.

Please note, the teaching of the Children and Adolescents pathway overlaps with that of
the CBT for comorbid, chronic and systemic difficulties pathway and students will share
some of the study days. However, students are either registered for the C&A pathway or
the CCSD pathway, this is not a combined award. Due to the overlap in course content,
students cannot progress from the C&A course to the CCSD course to achieve a PG
Diploma (and vice versa), nor can a student combine C&A and CCSD courses as part of the
Clinical MSc pathway. 

2. CBT for comorbid, chronic and systemic difficulties (formerly Complex Presentations)

This specialism seeks to enable students to add to their existing knowledge of cognitive
behavioural therapy, models, concepts and interventions specific to working with clinical
presentations which are characterised by issues associated with co-morbidity and/or
chronicity of emotional disorders or where systematic factors play a role in maintaining
current problems. There is an emphasis on developing CBT knowledge and skills in
delivering formulation driven CBT interventions, this includes using CBT when working
with chronic and recurrent depression, generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress
disorder; developmental trauma, harmful behaviours, personality disorder, psychosis and
bi-polar disorder and adapting CBT to work with neurodiversity. The course aims to enable
students to establish and practise a repertoire of cognitive behavioural skills for use with
comorbid, chronic and systemic problems. Some teaching on relevant topics is shared with
students on the Children and Adolescent pathway.

During the course students are expected to carry out CBT with at least three suitable
patients presenting with problems impacted by chronicity, comorbidity or systemic factors
and will receive, on a bi-weekly basis, two hours of small group CBT clinical supervision
facilitated by an experienced CBT therapist.

The course begins with a two-day induction block and then attendance is required for two
days bi-weekly, for training workshops. The duration of this course is five months and it
runs from March to July.

Please note, the teaching of the CBT for comorbid, chronic and systemic difficulties
pathway overlaps with that of the Children and Adolescents pathway and students will
share some of the study days. However, students are either registered for the CCSD
pathway or the C&A pathway, this is not a combined award. Due to the overlap in course
content, students cannot progress from the CCSD course to the C&A course to achieve a
PG Diploma (and vice versa), nor can a student combine CCSD and C&A courses as part of
the Clinical MSc pathway.

3. Psychological Trauma and Personality Development

This innovative programme offers comprehensive, specialist training in 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
suffered adversity and psychological trauma, alongside an in-depth understanding of the
development of personality traits. The course highlights the CBT principles, theory and
research that can guide optimal treatment delivery to people struggling with the legacy of
trauma and/or with personality issues.

Twenty-one days of training and supervision are spread over an academic year, between
September and July. A five-day foundation block in September (a combination of taught
material and self-directed study), is followed by four intensive four-day teaching blocks.
There are four summative assignments spread out over the period of training. Over the
duration of the course, students are normally expected to engage in CBT with at least one
patient with a trauma history and at least one patient with personality issues. Students
are also expected to complete therapy with at least one patient over the duration of the
course, although we encourage students to complete CBT with more than one patient
before the end of this training. Therapy with patients must demonstrate the specialist CBT
skills and knowledge relevant to working with patients who have experienced
psychological trauma and/or struggle with personality issues. Supervision from specialists
is offered within each block and between training blocks (10 supervision session in total).

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.

4. Psychosis and Bipolar

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.

The course comprises teaching over three terms: five days in September, four days
teaching in October, then one day per fortnight (Thurs) during November and December,
followed by a two-day teaching block in January and one full day per fortnight (Thurs)
from February to June.

Non-teaching Thursdays will be used for small-group supervision and self-directed study
throughout the year.

5. Supervision and Training

This specialism aims to prepare students to teach and to supervise CBT. The emphasis is
on acquiring, practising and communicating specialised dissemination skills, within an
explicit theoretical framework. The course also prepares students for dissemination in a
range of settings (eg individual and group supervision, small and large group training).

The course is informed by established and contemporary theory and research concerning
learning principles and the practice of high-quality CBT. The content of the course is
highly experiential with opportunities to engage in supervision and training practice
during training sessions and to obtain live feedback on practice and performance.

Students are normally expected to carry out CBT supervision in at least three supervision
settings or formats over the course and to present at least one training event in that time.
There are three summative assessments over the period of training.

The course comprises 18 days, presented in five teaching blocks beginning in October and
finishing in July. It begins with a four-day induction, followed by further three-day or four-
day blocks. Formal teaching comprises full or half- day workshops and a half-day Practice
of Supervision (PoS) session is regularly integrated into the course. Six of the training
days are open to a wider professional audience. This enables course participants to
interact and share with a broader group of specialist practitioners.

Further details

The official course title of this strand is "MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (taught)"
and its course code is TM_GT9P9C4. If you apply to be considered for this strand of the
course, this title and/or course code will be visible in the Graduate Application Form,
Graduate Applicant Self Service and on official documents and correspondence.

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.
Research strand students will meet with their Supervisors, when required, and Clinical
strand students will meet as part of the small group supervision required in each
specialism.

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
Research strand (TM_GT9P9C3)

To complete the Research strand of the MSc in CBT , you will need to submit a
dissertation, which comprises:

a research paper, which is prepared to a standard that is acceptable for submission to

a peer reviewed journal; and
a reflective critique of the research experience.

The reflective critique is an opportunity for you to look back over your experience of
carrying out a piece of research and taking it to the point of submission. You will need to
demonstrate what you have learnt from your experience, what you would do differently
with hindsight, and how your experience will inform your practice from now on.

Clinical strand (TM_GT9P9C4)

For the Clinical strand, summative assessment requirements vary according to the
specialism that you have chosen.

1. Children and Adolescents

Two clinical recordings

Two case reports

2. CBT for comorbid, chronic and systemic difficulties

Two clinical recordings

Two case reports

3. Psychological Trauma and Personality Development

One assignment demonstrating knowledge of CBT theory

One clinical recording
One clinical assessment report
One case report

4. Psychosis and Bipolar

A research presentation based on the theoretical content

One clinical recording
One case report
One case presentation.

5. Supervision and Training

One assignment demonstrating knowledge of supervision and training theory

One video recording of supervisory practice and supervision critique
One training report

Graduate destinations 
Research strand (TM_GT9P9C3)

Completion of the course provides access to a growing network of course graduates and to
an ongoing programme of follow- up workshops on CBT and related topics. Further
supervision through OCTC may also be negotiated, for example, for participants wishing
to achieve accreditation by the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive
Psychotherapies as a therapist, supervisor and/or trainer. 

Clinical strand (TM_GT9P9C4)

The clinical strand of the course was a new strand for entry in 2021-22. Students who
previously completed the research strand have used their MSc project as the foundation
for further studies at a doctoral level.

Changes to this course and your supervision

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 in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19),
epidemic or local health emergency. 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.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses
listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this
course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses in medical and health sciences offered by this

department

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