MSc/PGDip
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Why study CBT at Goldsmiths?
This Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme aims to provide a structured training where you can systematically acquire the knowledge and skills needed to practise as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
- The programme will progressively build your confidence and competence to take you from a novice to skilled practitioner.
- You will be equipped to work towards accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (for the PGDip route) and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (for the MSc route) dependant on your individual experience.
- Uniquely on this course, students will be strongly encouraged to evaluate Cognitive Behavioural theory and practice, which will include an emphasis on understanding the relationship of CBT to other psychotherapeutic modalities and on the tailoring of interventions to individual needs. As such this training in CBT is presented within a broader framework of critical and positive psychology.
- The course also aims to develop your understanding of the impact of contextual and structural factors, particularly in terms of the impact of inherent power differentials, upon the formation and resolution of individual psychological difficulties. This also includes the influence of contextual factors upon the practice of CBT itself and the examination of the way in which CBT can contribute to the prevention and amelioration of the negative impact of these.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Nicola Walker.
Length
2 years full-time for the MSc, or 1 year full-time for the PGDip
Entry requirements
Usually an undergraduate degree (2:2) or equivalent, plus other requirements. Please see section below for full details
Fees
Home - full-time: £11250
International - full-time: £20000
Department
Two pathways
MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2 years full-time)
Open to all suitable applicants, with or without a core profession. On the MSc, the first year of study will provide the core psychotherapeutic competencies necessary for Cognitive Behavioural psychotherapeutic practice, while the second year will focus of research and additional clinical practice for those on the MSc programme.
PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (1 year full-time)
This is the Professional Route, open only to those with a core profession (eg social workers, nurses, teachers, psychologists). It provides the professional qualification criteria in the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accreditation process.
What you'll study
For the MSc pathway, you'll complete the following modules over two years:
- Psychological Models of Therapy 1
- Psychological Models of Therapy 2
- Therapeutic Skills
- Reflective Practitioner 1
- Advanced CBT Theory and Practice
- Advanced CBT Skills
- Supervised CBT Practice 1
- Multidisciplinary Research Methods
- Supervised CBT Practice 2, Experiential Groups and CPD Workshops
- Supervised CBT Practice 2 & CPD Workshops
- Dissertation
Assessment
Knowledge and understanding is assessed primarily through written work: extended essays, case presentations, and case studies, and for the MSc in CBT this also includes a research proposal and a research dissertation.
Written feedback is provided for all coursework within four weeks of submission. Individual or Group placement supervision will provide the opportunity for formative assessment for case presentations and tutorial for written work.
Students’ skills are assessed through written work, practice evaluation and verbal, audio recorded or videotaped case presentations.
Entry requirements
MSc requirements
- An undergraduate degree (at least 2:2)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills/equivalent experience
Personal suitability will be assessed by the application form, references and a screening interview.
PGDip requirements
- An undergraduate degree (at least 2:2) or equivalent
- Qualification and two years experience in a core profession* (please see list below)
- Access to an appropriate work setting where you can undertake at least three days per week of face-to-face CBT practice and the audio/video recording of client sessions for assessment in an academic setting
- Access to a BABCP-accredited workplace supervisor who can offer weekly supervision
Personal suitability will be assessed by the application form, references and a screening interview.
* Core professions are determined by the BABCP. They include:
- Arts therapy – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered
- Counselling – Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling Society (NCS), Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), or Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals’ National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (FDAP NCAC)
- Medicine – psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
- Nursing – NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse, or NMC Registered Learning Disability Nurse
- Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT) and HCPC Registered
- Psychotherapy/Psychotherapeutic Counselling – United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered
- Social work – Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), MA Social Work, or BA/BSc Hons Social Work. Registered with one of four UK regulators - Social Work England (SWE), Social Care Wales (SCW), Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology – Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist
- Educational Psychology – Doctorate or Qualification in Educational Psychology Stage 2 (QEPS) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
- Health Psychology – Qualification in Health Psychology Stage 2 (QHP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
- Forensic Psychology – Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 (QFP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
For both pathways you apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Apply for the MSc
Apply for the PGDip (Professional Route)
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
Find out more about applying.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £11250
- International - full-time: £20000
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. There can be a cost to attending certain placements, including a fee for training, supervision or additional supervision costs. These costs can vary. Students are not obliged to attend such placements, but if doing so, they should pay particular attention to the costs involved.
Students will be attending placements and therapy sessions during the course of their programme. Travel costs are the responsibility of students.
Careers
Where this degree can take you
Upon completion of the post-graduation accreditation requirements, student will be able to pursue a career as CBT psychotherapist both in the public and the private sector. Some may also choose to utilise their acquired skills and pursue an academic career by enrolling onto a PhD programme.
Links with employers
Clinical placements are at the core of the programme and are compulsory. Supervision on practice and learning will take place both in placements and at the university. This will allow students to establish links with potential employers and start to build a professional network to facilitate post-graduation and then post-qualification employment.
