Clinical Child Psychology
Go beyond the theory and work towards a clinical career with children and adolescents with this Master’s degree in Clinical Child Psychology.
in the region for postgraduates progressing into senior roles.
Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2026
As a student at ARU in Cambridge, you’ll deepen your knowledge of clinical issues related to child and adolescent mental health.
Supported by research-active staff, you’ll examine ways to assess, understand and treat common mental health and neurodevelopment disorders that impact children and young people.
You’ll be introduced to the foundational skills of clinical child psychology, such as clinical assessment and therapeutic approaches.
You'll also sharpen your research skills, before completing an independent research project with support from expert staff.
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Explore mental health through a clinically focused Master's course
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Gain insight into assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based support for children and adolescents
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Build a foundation for future clinical training and careers supporting children's wellbeing
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Strengthen your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods
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Fit your studies around your life, with options to study full- or part-time
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Take the next step towards a career supporting children and adolescents in clinical, mental health, social care or educational settings.
This MSc provides a strong foundation in clinical child psychology, helping you develop the knowledge and research skills for further professional training or roles focused on young people’s wellbeing and development.
While it won't qualify you to work as a clinical psychologist in the UK, the course support entry to further clinical or practitioner training with children, adolescents, and families. This can include a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) or equivalent.
As a graduate, you’ll also be highly employable in many research environments, or ready to pursue PhD study.
Teaching and modules
Explore common mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders that can shape childhood and adolescence, from mood disorders to externalising disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Through a clinical focused curriculum, you'll build foundational knowledge and skills in child psychology, including diagnosis, assessment, formulation and treatment.
You'll also strengthen your research skills, effectively analysing data using a range of statistical and analytical techniques. Your Psychology Dissertation is chance to put your skills into practice, as you carry out a significant research project.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinical Child Psychology (30 credits)
- Topics in Clinical Child Psychology (30 credits)
- Issues in Scientific Research (30 credits)
- Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)
- Essential Research Methods (30 credits)
- Into ARU
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as MSc/MA students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students. For example if the MSc/MA course takes one year, you can expect to study over two years, though for some courses this may vary.
- Diagnosis and Treatment in Clinical Child Psychology (30 credits)
- Essential Research Methods (30 credits)
- Into ARU
- Topics in Clinical Child Psychology (30 credits)
- Issues in Scientific Research (30 credits)
- Psychology Dissertation (60 credits)
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Elena SakkalouSenior Lecturer
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Dr Débora Vasconcelos e SáSenior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology
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Prof David PearsonProfessor of Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience
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Dr Craig OwenSenior Lecturer
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Dr Sharon GevaSenior Lecturer in Psychology and Neuroscience
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Professor Sharon Morein-ZamirProfessor
Facilities
Study at ARU in Cambridge and use our dedicated Science Centre, home to specialist teaching spaces and research facilities.
Here, you'll find psychology labs for EEG, perception, neuroscience, biomarker analysis and social behaviour research. These facilities support practical learning and independent research, helping you develop the scientific skills for careers in psychology and related fields.
You'll also benefit from extensive library and IT resources.
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Study psychology in our state-of-the-art Science Centre in Cambridge.
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Use specialist equipment and learn more about the brain mechanisms involved in perception, attention and inhibition in the EEG lab.
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Examine how the body responds to a variety of stimuli or tasks using equipment such as wearable eye trackers.
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Observe participants’ behaviours through a CCTV monitoring system in the Social Behaviour Lab.
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![Atrium area in the Science Centre at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge]()
Study psychology in our state-of-the-art Science Centre in Cambridge.
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![An EEG procedure being conducted]()
Use specialist equipment and learn more about the brain mechanisms involved in perception, attention and inhibition in the EEG lab.
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![Tobii Pro 300TX eye-tracker equipment]()
Examine how the body responds to a variety of stimuli or tasks using equipment such as wearable eye trackers.
-
![Person wearing an EEG cap in a psychology lab]()
Observe participants’ behaviours through a CCTV monitoring system in the Social Behaviour Lab.