MSt in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

The course covers several main topic areas and includes a variety of teaching and learning methods:

• Theory and research, including psychological science related to health, wellbeing, and underlying psychological processes; relevant aspects of Buddhist psychology and their contribution to MBCT; and empirical research on the effects of mindfulness practice, mechanisms of change, and applications in a variety of contexts. Knowledge and understanding of theory and research are cultivated primarily through reading, presentation, discussion and written assignments.
• Experiential understanding of mindfulness is developed through guided and independent personal practice throughout the course, a guided intensive retreat once each year, and written reflection on personal practice in light of theory, research, and underlying psychological processes.
• Teaching skills and professional competencies for delivering MBCT curricula skilfully and ethically are cultivated through skills training, reading, and supervision of a teaching project.
• Communication skills for writing and speaking about mindfulness and MBCT are developed through group discussion, skills training, a teaching project, and written assignments.

Year 1 develops all of the main topic areas, with emphasis on teaching skills, experiential understanding, and theoretical and empirical foundations. Year 2 further hones all knowledge and skills, with emphasis on teaching two 8-week MBCT courses and on completing a dissertation.

This course is designed for professionals who want to integrate evidence-based mindfulness teaching into their work. It is particularly well-suited to those working in areas such as mental or physical healthcare, education, coaching, training, or wellbeing, as well as others who support individuals or groups in personal or professional development. If you are looking to develop the skills to teach mindfulness in a structured, evidence-informed way, and to apply it meaningfully within your professional context, this programme offers a strong foundation.

This 2-year part-time course combines in-person and online learning. In-person teaching blocks of 3–5 days occur twice each year in Oxford. In addition, one in-person retreat of 5–6 days is held each year at a residential retreat centre in England. Online teaching days (9am–5pm UK time) occur at weekly or other intervals.

Each student meets with one of the teaching staff for individual tutoring meetings throughout the course. Tutoring meetings support the development of knowledge and skills and provide an opportunity for discussion of questions, concerns, or topics of interest.

Students should plan to devote 6–7 hours per week to independent reading and study, personal mindfulness practice, and completion of written assignments.

Oxford College affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the University’s multidisciplinary colleges, enabling you to encounter new perspectives in your field or learn more about many other subjects from fellow college members.

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience. Oxford colleges are friendly and diverse communities, where you could find yourself absorbed in fascinating conversations with students and academics from a variety of disciplines at college seminars, dinners, and informal occasions.

For a list of colleges that accept students on the MSt in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, please see the ‘college preference’ tab on the Graduate Admissions course page.

To find out more about Oxford University colleges, please consult the University’s Graduate Admissions website.

The Course Director is Dr Ruth Baer, a clinical psychologist, mindfulness researcher, teacher and trainer.

Most of the teaching is provided by the director and tutor team, with invited guest teachers for specialist areas.

Marked assignments are designed to support the consolidation and extension of learning and to evaluate knowledge and skills. Assignments are marked by internal assessors and examiners. The marked assignments are:

Essay 1: Psychological Science

Explores topics in psychological science and their relationship to MBCT (4,000 words).

Reflective Analysis

Integrates personal experiences in mindfulness practice with the theoretical and empirical foundations of MBCT (4,000 words).

Essay 2: Buddhist Psychology

Explores Buddhist psychology and its relationship to MBCT (4,000 words).

Dissertation

An in-depth exploration of a topic related to MBCT, in an area of particular interest chosen by the student in consultation with the teaching staff (10,000 words).

Teaching Project

Each student teaches two 8-week courses of MBCT, with supervision. Recordings of all sessions from one of these courses and a written report of the experience of teaching the course (4,000 words) are submitted for marking.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant subject.

Preference will be given to applicants with professional experience in mental or physical healthcare, education or skills training, stress reduction, wellness, or other contexts that involve working with individuals and groups in supportive ways.

Your background should have equipped you to:

• read theoretical and scientific literature relevant to MBCT, in English;
• write the essays and other assignments described above, in English; and
• work with individuals and groups in ways which require relational skills. The teaching project must be conducted in English.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. Further information on English language requirements can be found here.

Please visit the MSt in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course fees and costs.

Please see our funding page for help and information with regard to funding postgraduate studies. We further recommend that applicants search for funding opportunities via the online Fees, Funding and Scholarship search tool.

In order to be considered for many scholarships, applicants are required to apply by the January deadline. However, applicants should note that some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should make sure they check the application process for each scholarship carefully.

Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. This website provides information on fees and entry requirements, along with help on preparing and submitting your application.

Application deadlines

12:00 midday UK time on:

• Stage 1: Friday 14 November 2025 (Applications more likely to receive earlier decisions)
• Stage 2: Wednesday 28 January 2026 (Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships)
• Stage 3: Tuesday 3 March 2026

When to apply

Early application for the programme is strongly advised. After the March deadline, the course will only stay open for that year’s entry if places are still available.

Remember that it can take a number of weeks to obtain all of the documents you need and to prepare a competitive application. You should also allow your referees plenty of time to submit your references. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process within six weeks of the application deadline.