MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Top-up)
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2025
You can also study this course:
This course enables you to develop your skills and qualify to practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
If you have already completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, this programme will allow you to top-up your existing qualification to a full master's degree.
Application guide
For information on how you can boost your career-prospects and apply for our postgraduate courses, follow our application guide.
Postgraduate Open Days
Join us for a Postgraduate Open Day where you can discuss your options and chosen course with our course leaders.
We meet the minimum training standards of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) at Level 2, enabling you to apply for accreditation as a CBT therapist.
Our course covers core competencies of CBT, including progressively complex mood and anxiety disorders over a two-year period. Additionally, it provides full Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio support and training, essential for those without a core profession seeking BABCP accreditation.
Students benefit from an inclusive curriculum delivered by a diverse team of highly experienced CBT therapists. We also provide clinical supervision for training cases, ensuring ethically structured and evidence-based clinical practice.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
At Buckinghamshire New University we value our partnerships within the local community, including the West London NHS Trust, one of the largest mental health providers in the UK. The Trust is responsible for well-known institutions such as Broadmoor and other clinics treating more specific illnesses such as personality disorders.
This course is ideal to those who may already possess a PGDip in CBT, but who wish to complete a master’s thesis in the area of CBT and top up their PGDip to a full MSc.
What facilities can I use?
Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.
Whilst studying with us you will also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
What will I study?
To achieve the MSc, you will need to complete the Dissertation module, allowing you to investigate a topic important to you. You will cover the whole research process, from ethics approval to writing your final report, with the guidance of an allocated supervisor who will support you throughout the whole process.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Led by an experienced and dedicated course team, this programme builds on our strong reputation in this field.
What are the course entry requirements?
Applicants to the MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Top-up would need to be Accredited, working towards BABCP accreditation or eligible for it, and hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or equivalent.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £3,830 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
As a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist you will be ready for a rewarding career within the NHS, private or commercial sectors. You will immediately have the ability to apply your knowledge to improve the wellbeing of others.
