Clinical Neuropsychiatry MSc

King's College London

Overview

Clinical neuropsychiatry considers mental disorders from a neurological standpoint. It is an exciting and developing area of study. Our MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry will allow students to develop the skills and knowledge required to specialize in neuropsychiatry as a clinician or academic. We welcome biomedical and psychology graduates, as well as psychiatrists, neurologists and psychologists onto the course. (Please note that the course is not itself a clinical qualification; in order to practice as a clinician in a neuropsychiatry team you will need to undertake specific clinical training, such as medical school, nursing training, clinical psychology, occupational therapy etc.) We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Course detail

Clinical neuropsychiatry involves an exciting mix of scientific and clinical work. Because of the varied nature of the subject, it’s suitable for people from a range of backgrounds, whether you’ve just graduated from biomedical sciences or psychology, or you’re already working as a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist or other health professional. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has the country’s only inpatient neuropsychiatry unit dealing with complex patients with functional neurological disorders and brain injury. And King’s College Hospital hosts a range of specialist services, from deep brain simulation to management of motor neurone disease. You’ll have access to a complete range of patients through our partnerships. Examples of services where clinical observerships may be possible include inpatient and outpatient neuropsychiatry, liaison psychiatry, memory clinics, epilepsy, stroke, brain injury rehab, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, motor neurone disease and functional neurological disorders. (Note that students cannot be guaranteed their first choice of observership). Your dissertation is a chance to delve deeper into a subject you’re interested in. You’ll agree on a topic with your supervisor then carry out research using our state-of-the-art equipment.

Teaching and assessment

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

Career prospects

Upon completion, you will have a solid understanding of the concepts, theories and practicalities that are relevant to clinical neuropsychiatry. The course will prepare you for a career in neuropsychiatry (note that you will also require a medical degree and postgraduate psychiatry training for this) or will serve as professional development to enhance your current career as a clinician or policy maker. Other course graduates may go on to conduct further full-time study in an academic research environment (e.g. PhD) or in a taught clinical course (e.g. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) or gain employment in an academic, clinical or pharmaceutical organisation.