University of Oxford

University of Oxford

Master of Studies in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

The Master of Studies in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Psychology is offered by University of Oxford.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

This two-year part-time course offers experienced clinicians and practitioners from a range of professional backgrounds a unique opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge and skills in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Our aim is to foster a community of practitioners with the expertise to deliver high quality MBCT, and to contribute to the development and dissemination of this innovative approach to mental and physical healthcare.The course is offered by the Oxford Mindfulness Centre at the Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education. Successful completion of the course leads to an award of a Master of Studies by the University of Oxford.Oxford has been internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in cognitive therapy (CT) research, treatment development and dissemination for nearly 20 years. It has an unusually rich concentration of acknowledged experts in CT and a first class reputation for providing high quality training courses and clinical supervision. A growing team of Oxford clinicians and researchers now specialise in MBCT, and have successfully developed and delivered a range of MBCT training events, including workshops, masterclasses, residential training retreats, a foundational training course, and a Master of Studies degree course. The Masters programme was initiated by Professor Mark Williams, one of the founders of MBCT, and the team includes Professor Willem Kuyken, a leading figure in the development of MBCT and the current Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

Course Aims

The aims of the course are:
  • To provide qualified clinicians with an understanding of theory and research and with practical experience, so that they can apply MBCT competently and effectively in clinical and other appropriate healthcare and educational settings
  • To cultivate a body of practitioners trained to disseminate the approach, and educated to contribute creatively to further developments in the field.

Teaching methods

Teaching is mostly highly interactive and experiential. Each teaching block covers a range of topics drawn from the four main areas outlined above, weaving together personal practice, theory/research and clinical applications. We envisage the following format for blocks in each year.

Year I

The course will take full advantage of local expertise in MBCT, as well as inviting contributions from outside researchers and clinicians with experience at the cutting edge of MBCT development. All those who have leading roles in the design and organisation of the course, and in supervision and training, have experience in the development and practice of MBCT and in related training and research.The first year of the course is designed to develop student’s knowledge of theory and research, and to use this as a foundation for the development of their own mindfulness meditation practice. Teaching in MBCT will commence towards the end of the first year. During each block, we will cover:
  • Developing a personal mindfulness meditation practice via direct experience of the 8-week MBCT programme. This includes opportunities for reflection, and a requirement for regular meditation practice between teaching blocks
  • Buddhist roots of MBCT; mindfulness meditation in practice
  • Cognitive and clinical science
  • Beginning to teach MBCT
Residential training retreats: The 4-day retreat in January focuses on the practice of mindfulness meditation and considers its relevance to MBCT.
The 7-day training retreat offers an intensive opportunity to deepen personal practice and to practise teaching elements of MBCT with immediate feedback from other participants and from instructors.

Year II

The second year covers the theory and practice of applying MBCT with different client groups, and equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to become competent MBCT instructors. The themes are:
  • Learning to be an MBCT instructor
  • Clinical applications: Theory and practice
  • Buddhist Foundation for Application of Mindfulness
Residential training retreat: 
This 7-day retreat focuses on intensive practice of mindfulness meditation.
Teaching sessions and training retreats will be led by practitioners experienced in mindfulness-based approaches, mostly from Oxford.Students should also be prepared to design and deliver a course of MBCT to an appropriate client group in their own place of work, with supervision from course tutors.



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