Psychology

Digital Open Day

Studying Psychology

Join our team of experts and practitioners in the School of Psychology, and become part of a community dedicated to the scientific understanding of the mind, brain and human behaviour.

Our outstanding postgraduate programmes will increase your theoretical knowledge, inform you on the latest research in your field, and give you the advanced clinical experience you need to excel along your chosen career path.

Whether you want to specialise in the arts and play therapies, study child and adult attachment, gain the understanding and skills to work in the forensic field, or become a registered counselling psychologist, our diverse programmes and world-learning research facilities will allow you to graduate with the experience you need to reach your goals.

State of the Art Facilities

Our School has world class facilities to help you learn, all based at Whitelands College, a beautiful listed building next to Richmond Park.

This includes Electroencephalogram (EEG) suites to measure electrical activity in different parts of the brain, MRIs to see the structures in the brain, and eye and gaze-tracking equipment to give us a deeper understanding of ongoing mental processes during tasks, as well as multiple software systems for data processing and analysis when conducing your research.

You can check out some more information on the facilities available to you here:

Psychology Facilities

Rich Resources

World-class library: Our library is stocked with thousands of books, has private bookable study rooms, access to a huge range of online resources, including thousands of e-books, journals and databases and a whole floor dedicated to silent study with breathtaking views of London.
Accredited programmes: Many of our programmes are accredited by the leading bodies in the UK. This ensures you’ll gain the theoretical knowledge and practical clinical experience to help you develop your career. Graduates of these programmes are eligible for registration with the relevant professional bodies.
Placements: Benefit from our established network of psychotherapists, and our dedicated placement coordinators, and gain work experience within a supervised clinical placement in a range of settings.
Research focus: We are jointly ranked as the best modern university in the country for research (Research Excellence Framework 2021). At Roehampton, you’ll have the independence to conduct your own research. Guided by our expert supervisors, you’ll develop your expertise in an area you are passionate about.
Experienced lecturers: You’ll be taught by a team of lecturers who are both practitioners and actively conducting leading research in their fields. This includes breakthrough research demonstrating people with schizophrenia can train themselves to control the brain region linked to verbal hallucinations using an MRI scanner, and the development of a new screening tool for schools and nurseries around the world to help identify signs of neglect in young children.
Guest speakers: Learn from the real-life experiences of leading psychologists. Previously, Dr. Jasmine Childs-Fegredo has presented her research on a new model of therapy incorporating yoga for the treatment of emotional dysregulation, and Dr Jenna Jacob, Research Lead at the Child Outcomes Research Consortium, has discussed how we can support and improve youth mental health services.
Arts and Play Therapies: We are the only institution in Europe to offer training in all of the arts and play therapies, including dramatherapy, art and dance movement psychotherapy, music and play therapy.
Beautiful campus: Our stunning parkland campus offers plenty of spots to study and learn outside, whilst London’s museums are just half an hour away.
Commuting students: You’ll be part of an inclusive and welcoming community, whether you live on or off-campus. We’ve a dedicated bus service and College Kitchens with lockers, fridges, microwaves and powerpoints for you to eat, socialise and catch up on some work if you don’t live on campus.

Hear from our Academics

Mark Donati, Counselling Psychology Programme Convener

Our programme has a strong research culture and relational ethos. Our students are warm, courageous and passionate about becoming counselling psychologists. A humanistic ethos permeates through the programme community, which inspires us to be warm and compassionate but also deeply committed to affecting positive change in the lives of others and the world around us, through rigorous and reflective psychological practice and research. Our graduates have gone on to take up roles in the NHS, including supervising students on placements, and to teaching on our programmes as well. If the values of counselling psychology appeal to you and you want to learn to use psychological practice and research to make a difference in the lives of others, Roehampton may be the right place for you.

Find out more about a PsychD in Counselling Psychology

Benedict Grey, Attachment Studies Programme Convener

This is a unique, world leading programme, teaching students how to apply attachment theory, trauma theory, and related neuroscience to make sense of the relationships of children and adults in practice and research settings. Because of its national and international interest, we offer a blended learning short course structure allowing students to live away from Roehampton and attend in short blocks (3-5 days) as well as make use of online learning. The programme is both academic and practical in that students are taught how to apply knowledge to clinical, practice and research settings. Our students come from widely different backgrounds but share an active interest in the area. This makes for an exciting learning environment. Some are professionals looking to expand their expertise, such as social workers, therapists, psychologists, teachers, and occupational therapists, and also psychology and social work graduates. It does not require prior clinical experience but does involve carrying out attachment assessments and observations with children and adults. Many students with an existing professional background have gone on to develop private therapeutic or assessment practices using their expertise. Students without a professional background have got jobs as trainee or assistant psychologists, or trained as therapists or social workers. If you have any questions please do get in touch with me at benedict.grey@roehampton.ac.uk.

Find out more about our MSc Attachment Studies

Our research

Our staff are passionate about psychology and their real-life experience informs their teaching. They collaborate with the NHS, schools and leading cultural organisations including the Science Museum in London. Here’s some of their research:

ETHOS: Understanding how school-based counselling can support young people

Levels of mental health problems in children and young people are increasing. The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness Trial of Humanistic Counselling in Schools is a nationwide research project led by Professor Mick Cooper. It has established professional counselling services in 18 secondary schools to examine whether pupils in need of support improve after counselling.

New review shows that antidepressant withdrawal is a far more severe problem that clinical guidelines claim

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidelines around antidepressant withdrawal, following research and campaigning by Dr James Davies, who teaches in both the Department of Psychology and Department of Life Sciences at the University. His review revealed that symptoms following antidepressant withdrawal are routinely severe and that current medical guidelines should be updated so patients are properly informed of the prolonged withdrawal effects when prescribed antidepressants.

Roehampton’s Centre for Research in Social and Psychological Transformation (CREST) establishes a therapy clinic for people in the local community

The CREST Therapy Clinic is committed to helping our students and the local community with their mental health. We offer free psychological therapy to current students at the University of Roehampton, and twenty-four sessions of free individual counselling within a pluralistic therapy model for people in the local community. The therapy is provided as part of research studies to aid the team’s research into the counselling psychology discipline.

Pioneering study helps people with schizophrenia control brain activity

New research shows people with schizophrenia can train themselves to control brain regions linked to verbal hallucinations, using an MRI scanner and a computerised rocket game. The pilot study by researcher Professor Paul Allen at the University of Roehampton and Brain imaging expert, Dr Natasza Orlov of the University of Roehampton and King’s College London’s Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience suggests the pioneering technique might help patients in controlling their symptoms in instances where medication does not work.

Our Programmes

Roehampton has an impressive range of programmes, where you’ll develop advanced academic understanding and practical experience to allow you to excel in your chosen career path. Find out more about your chosen programme below.

Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Art Psychotherapy Attachment Studies Counselling Psychology (HCPC approved and BPS accredited) Dance Movement Psychotherapy Dramatherapy Forensic Psychology Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents and Families Music Therapy Play Therapy Psychology (Conversion) Psychology (Conversion) Distance Learning

Psychology of Forensic and Criminal Behaviour IAPT High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy

Alumni

Claire Kelly
MA Music Therapy, graduated 2019

"I chose Roehampton because of its strong reputation for postgraduate training in Music Therapy, and it is the only centre in the South West of England offering the choice of training part-time or full-time. I first attended the 20-week Foundation Course in Music Therapy at Roehampton and wanted to continue my studies there for many reasons, including the psychodynamic orientation of the training. This places the emphasis on the dynamic movement between unconscious and conscious feelings and thoughts, explored through musical and other processes in the relationship between client and therapist. I very much enjoyed the Clinical Improvisation module, where we extended our skills as improvising musicians and explored how we might work therapeutically with clients, through role-play with our peers. This experience was invaluable when we went on our two clinical placements. I was fortunate to be employed as a music therapist at a children’s hospice soon after graduating, working with children with life-limiting conditions and their families. I also work in the community with adults with learning disabilities and children affected by serious illnesses. I would recommend spending some time with the types of clients that you might work with as a music therapist to gain some understanding of how the non-verbal medium of music might be helpful to them. I would highly recommend studying Music Therapy at Roehampton, which I found to be a life-changing experience, exhilarating and challenging in equal measure."

Evie Wavell,
MA Music Therapy, graduated 2020

"My two clinical placements were a highlight as they were in very new environments and I was really challenged by some of the clients I worked with. One placement allowed me to realise that I enjoy working with vulnerable teenagers with social and emotional mental health difficulties, which was not something I had considered before. I was pleased to get a job as a Music Therapist not long after I graduated, and I now work for a charity in North London who work with vulnerable children in their schools. For anyone considering studying at Roehampton I would say apply! The interview process itself can teach you a lot about the programme and what might be expected of you, which I think is really valuable. My degree was definitely one of the most interesting experiences of my life and I encourage anyone who is thinking of training as a Music Therapist to consider coming to Roehampton. You will learn a lot about yourself and others around you, and be able to use your musical skills in an innovative way."

Steve Hall,
MSc Attachment Studies graduate

"I can’t speak more highly of the course – it was brilliant from start to finish. The standard of teaching was very high, and we often had experts from a range of different fields give guest lecturers, allowing us to further expand our application of theory to practice. I now work as a social worker for a child protection and welfare charity. I’m constantly using the approaches and methods taught on the programme in my work with young people and families."

Student Life

Being a student at a campus university in London gives you the best of both worlds. We are lucky enough to have a 54-acre parkland campus to call home, and are only 30 minutes from central London.

We offer plenty of opportunities for you to get involved through playing sport, music, volunteering, or joining one of over 50 student societies. We also have catering outlets, across campus, and each College has social spaces where you can meet up with your friends and relax.

Our campus is close to Putney, Hammersmith and Wimbledon, which each have wide a range of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. With central London so close, you can easily access the wealth of culture, entertainment and dining options the capital has to offer.

Find out more about student life

Accommodation

We guarantee accommodation for all new students accepting a place to study with us by the guarantee deadline and offer some of the most affordable student accommodation in London!

Why live on campus?

We offer something for everyone from single rooms in large flats to en-suite rooms in smaller flats whether you are a postgraduate or undergraduate student.
All-inclusive bills so no hassle and easy to budget.
Living on campus means you will be close to the gym, acres of landscaped gardens, shop, bar, catering, esports, societies and even our resident chickens!
We can accommodate a range of special requests, including 'quiet' flats, single-sex flats and flats dedicated to postgraduate students.
When you join us, you'll be looked after by your friendly College staff, which include dedicated wardens and flat reps
For peace of mind, our accommodation is accredited by: The Student Accommodation Code
We have a free, dedicated student bus service to Barnes Station and Wimbledon, and facilities for bicycle storage on campus, and ebikes to hire.
All our private and secure rooms are on-campus, with 24/7 security and plenty of catering outlets and shops to choose from on campus and locally

View our on-campus accommodation

Support services

At Roehampton we are focused on ensuring you succeed, and have a wide range of support services to help you at every step of your journey.

Wellbeing – our team are able to provide personal wellbeing support, professional counselling and mental health support. Each college has a Student Wellbeing Officer and a College Warden, the latter is available after hours for all on campus students.

Medical – we have an on-site NHS medical centre which provides doctor and nurse-led services.

Disability and dyslexia – we encourage students to let us know about specific needs so we can work with you to tailor our support.

Financial – we have a wide range of scholarships, and a student hardship fund for those students in financial difficulty.

Chaplaincy – our diverse community is reflected in our multi-faith chaplaincy and we have a number of spaces for worship.

Study support – all students have an Academic Guidance Tutor, as well as access to library support and online study resources.

View more about student support

Next Steps

Next steps