The School of Health in Social Science deliver postgraduate taught programmes which span across Nursing Studies, Clinical and Health Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Applied Social Sciences. Our postgraduate taught programmes Doctorate in Clinical Psychology This postgraduate degree is an applied training programme which entitles graduates to apply for registration as a clinical psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and as a chartered clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society. Master of Counselling Thpostgraduate degree is a professional part-time training in counselling and psychotherapy and is a recognised qualification for counselling practice. The programme offers students the opportunity to engage with research, explore experience-near approaches to inquiry and undertake an independent research project. Master of Nursing with Pre-Registration (Adult) This postgraduate degree is a two-year route for those who wish to become Adult nurses and already have an undergraduate degree. The programme provides the theoretical and practice learning needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and practise as a registered Adult nurse. MSc Applied Psychology (Healthcare) For Children and Young People This postgraduate degree trains psychology graduates to become competent practitioners in psychological assessment and interventions with children, young people and families presenting with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The programme combines academic teaching with clinical practice training in applied psychology for children and young people. MSc International Counselling and Cross-Cultural Counselling This postgraduate degree is designed to foster critical thinking by encouraging students to question Western-centred cultural assumptions that are taken for granted in prevalent psychotherapeutic approaches. The programme delves into both critical and creative approaches to counselling and psychotherapy to challenge traditional discourses of suffering and healing. MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches (Online) This postgraduate degree focuses on how developmental processes at multiple levels, from individual to sociocultural, influence children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The programme explores how identity, belonging, climate change, and mobility shape young people’s experiences. MSc Psychological Therapies This postgraduate degree provides therapeutic training in CBT with a pathway for students who either already hold a core qualification, such as nursing (part-time programme), or are at the beginning of their clinical career (full-time programme). Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies This postgraduate qualification is an introduction to the dynamic world of counselling and psychotherapy, offering an opportunity to engage in a rich learning environment. It offers an entry point for professional training and education to become a counsellor or psychotherapist. Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling This postgraduate degree combines full professional training, meeting recognised standards for counselling training and education, with the opportunity to develop as a researcher in a lively research community. The programme provides a route both to professional qualification and doctoral-level research achievement. Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) This postgraduate degree is a two-year, full-time professional training programme that seamlessly integrates theory, practical application, and immersive clinical experiences. The programme confers a recognised qualification to practice as a counsellor and combines theoretical insights with practical experience. MSc Advanced Nursing This postgraduate degree is designed for nurses working in a global context to improve their practice and drive positive change in their local community and beyond. The programme will provide students with a strong foundation in nursing, health, and social care research. MSc Counselling Studies This postgraduate degree offers advanced academic study of counselling and psychotherapeutic theories and practices, with a focus on non-directive, relational approaches particularly within psychodynamic and person-centred frameworks. The programme connects theoretical learning with real-world concerns, encouraging critical reflection. MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches This postgraduate degree offers advanced study of child and adolescent mental health practice through the lens of developmental psychology and psychopathology. The programme aims to support students in developing a nuanced and critical appreciation of mental health in children and young people, from infancy through to young adulthood. MSc Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion) This postgraduate degree offers the opportunity to study psychology at a graduate level and become eligible for chartered membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society on a graduate basis. The programme is most suitable for graduates without a psychology degree who would like to change direction into psychology and have a particular interest in mental health. Postgraduate Certificate in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (Online) This postgraduate qualification will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) across a wide range of relevant topics including the condition’s diagnosis, causes, etiology, and epidemiology. Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling This postgraduate qualification brings together rich theoretical perspectives of the psychodynamic and person-centred traditions with extensive practical experience gained through placements in a range of counselling settings. The programme is a recognised professional qualification that prepares graduates for professional counselling practice and progression towards accreditation with relevant professional bodies. Why study with us? We offer taught and vocational postgraduate degrees, including those that provide the opportunity for professional registration at the point of completion. Our postgraduate taught programmes give you the opportunity to learn from experts in your field while developing your skills and boosting your career prospects in research or industry. We offer professionally-accredited and non-accredited programmes, enabling you to choose the learning pathway that best suits your goals. Many of our postgraduate taught programmes are designed to be flexible, enabling you to take them full-time or part-time to suit your needs. A number of our programmes are available online offering intermittent part-time learning that fits around your commitments and responsibilities. Our resources and facilities As a postgraduate student you will have access to a wide range of research resources and first-class facilities, including our dedicated student study space, research labs, research centers, and clinical facilities. Our staff have a wide range of research interests You will benefit from the diverse expertise and backgrounds of staff across the School and our highly interdisciplinary teaching portfolio, covering a broad range of disciplines and qualifications. We have a great student community We have a dedicated team of student advisers who are available to support you throughout your study. We also offer many student community events throughout the year, providing opportunities for you to mingle and make connections with your peers outside of the classroom. Find out more We’re highly ranked University rankings The University is:consistently ranked as one of the best 50 universities in the world, and 11th in the world for Arts and Humanities (THE World University Rankings 2026)ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021 THE Ranking)consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability, with our graduates ranked 33rd in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2026) How and when do I apply? Before you apply for any of our postgraduate programmes, you should check that you meet the entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready. Applications for most of our postgraduate programmes are made online through the degree finder. Each programme may operate differing application deadlines based on a number of factors. To apply for a programme or to find out the application deadline, look up your chosen programme in the degree finder. Find out more What is the difference between PgCert, PgDip and Masters? What is a PgCert?'PgCert' stands for Postgraduate Certificate. You may also see it abbreviated as: PGCert, PGC or PgC. A PgCert is a taught postgraduate award over 60 credits in a specific area. It is generally delivered part-time to suit professionals studying alongside work, and takes on average 1-2 years to complete. A PgCert can also be used to work towards a PgDip or a Masters degree, if you decide that you wish to continue your studies. What is a PgDip?‘PgDip’ stands for Postgraduate Diploma. You may also see it abbreviated as: PGDip, PG Dip. A PgDip is a postgraduate degree over 120 credits in a specific area. It is especially well-suited to those students who are interested in career development and want to enhance their CV in a shorter space of time compared to a full Masters programme. A PgDip can be used to work towards a Masters degree, if you decide that you wish to continue your studies. What is a Masters?An MSc or Masters degree is a postgraduate qualification which typically requires you to write a dissertation in your final year. Masters programmes are designed to give you in-depth knowledge and expertise in a particular field of specialisation. The length of a taught Masters degree varies depending on whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. A full-time Masters usually takes 12 months to complete, with some programmes giving you the opportunity to study over 2 years part-time, and are generally run in-person on campus. Online Masters degrees generally take 3-4 years to complete, but some programmes offer the chance to study over a longer period of time . Fees and funding Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme in the degree finder. Like other universities in the United Kingdom, we set different tuition fee rates for students whose status is 'home' (United Kingdom) and those whose status is 'overseas'. All online learning students pay the same rate. Find out more Further information Find out more about studying a postgraduate programme at the University of Edinburgh, including information about open days, entry requirements, student life, and beyond: Postgraduate Study at UoE
