MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Top-up)
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2026
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. BNU cannot directly provide you with accreditation. However, if you have completed a BABCP Level 2 Accredited course, it will enable you to apply for accreditation as a CBT therapist by applying to the BABCP.
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. Although you will not require clinical supervision for the dissertation top-up, you will be assigned a supervisor who will assist you in completing your dissertation, ensuring ethically structured and evidence-based academic 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 BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies) 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 2026 - 2027: £3,000 per year *
Please note all of the 2026/27 academic year fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
What are my career prospects?
Completing your MSc in CBT opens up diverse and rewarding career pathways beyond frontline clinical practice. Graduates are well-positioned for senior roles in the NHS, including clinical leadership, service development, and specialist therapy positions. The advanced research skills you'll develop through your dissertation are highly valued in academic settings, enabling you to pursue teaching and training roles, clinical supervision, or even doctoral study. Many of our graduates go on to establish successful private practices where the MSc credential enhances their professional profile and enables them to command premium rates. Whether you're interested in shaping the future of mental health services, contributing to evidence-based research, training the next generation of therapists, or advancing into consultancy and policy roles, this qualification provides the academic foundation and credibility to elevate your career to the next level.
