School of Health in Social Science

Postgraduate Taught

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.

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.  

Why choose postgraduate study in the School of Health in Social Science?

  • 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 

  • 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 

The University is consistently ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world, and 12th in the world for Arts and Humanities (THE World University Rankings 2024). The University is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021 THE Ranking) and is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability. We are well regarded by recruiters seeking talented graduates, with High Fliers Research ranking us as the 9th most targeted university in the UK for 2021/22, and our graduates are ranked 25th in the world by employers (QS World University Rankings 2022).

Student support and community in the School of Health in Social Science

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.

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What can I study?

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

The Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology is an applied training programme which entitles graduates to apply for registration as a clinical psychologist with the Health Professions Council and as a chartered clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society.

Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling

The Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling is an advanced qualification enabling graduates to practise as a psychotherapist or counsellor in a wide range of settings.

Master of Counselling

The Master of Counselling is validated professionally by COSCA at Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma levels. It is a flexible, student-centred training process with a strong emphasis on practice, including a counselling placement.

Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue)

The Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) is an accelerated, full-time professional training programme that seamlessly integrates theory, practical application, and immersive clinical experiences.

Master of Nursing with Pre-Registration (Adult)

This innovative programme offers those who already have an honours degree the opportunity to undertake a shortened, two-year programme to become a registered Adult nurse whilst gaining a masters degree.

MSc Advanced Nursing

The MSc Advanced Nursing is an innovative programme that offers advanced study for nurses working within a global context to enhance practice at the local level.

MSc Advanced Nursing (Online)

The MSc Advanced Nursing (Online) is an innovative online programme that offers advanced study for nurses working within a global context to enhance practice at the local level.

MSc Applied Psychology (Healthcare) For Children and Young People

The MSc Applied Psychology (Healthcare) for Children and Young People is a taught Masters programme. It 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.

MSc Counselling Studies

The MSc Counselling Studies programme is a taught Masters which firmly locates the practice of counselling within the field of social science enquiry.

MSc International Counselling and Cross-Cultural Counselling

Our MSc International and Cross-Cultural Counselling programme goes beyond traditional Western perspectives, challenging biases and cultural assumptions inherent in psychotherapeutic practices.

MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches

The MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches is a campus-based unique postgraduate programme, which offers advanced study child and adolescent mental health practice through the lens of developmental psychology and psychopathology.

MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches (Online)

Our MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches (Online) has been designed for professionals and recent graduates who wish to study child and adolescent mental health practice through the lens of developmental psychology and psychopathology without the need to attend campus-based teaching.

MSc Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion)

The MSc in Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion) 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.

MSc Psychological Therapies

The MSc Psychological Therapies programme provides students with advanced knowledge and critical understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT).

MSc Planetary Health

A new, interdisciplinary degree with the Edinburgh Futures Institute

Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies

The Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies enhances your career prospects in a variety of fields that use listening skills and is an excellent foundation for further specialist therapeutic training in the UK or abroad.

Postgraduate Certificate in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (Online)

Embark on a groundbreaking academic journey with Europe's first Postgraduate Certificate in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). As pioneers in this critical field of study, we invite prospective students to join a community dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in FASD research and applied social sciences.

Postgraduate Certificate in Neurological Rehabilitation and Care (Online)

This cutting-edge new programme will equip registered nurses working in neurological rehabilitation with the resources and skills to develop person-centred, partnership focussed, practice in the area of neurological care and rehabilitation of adults.

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling

The Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling is a professionally validated programme that qualifies you to practise counselling and psychotherapy in the UK, and in other countries where equivalence in qualifications is recognised.

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

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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. 

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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