The MSc Mental Health is a really interesting and insightful course, delivered by knowledgeable and supportive tutors with a wealth of practice experience.

Becky, MSc Mental Health student

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Duration:

1 year

Location(s):

Canterbury
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Overview

This one year, full-time course will provide structured learning to support the development of informed, inclusive and skilled practitioners and researchers.

Poor mental health affects a wide range of factors including our physical health, our relationships and our desire to take part in the world around us. Research highlights that poor mental health is an inevitable consequence of inequalities, adverse childhood experiences and trauma. How can we best respond to people whose lives are most affected by these factors? What are the key challenges faced by mental health service users and service providers?

You will learn about the importance of trauma-informed responses and responses that empower and support an individual in realizing their capabilities. We will explore the debates about diagnostic systems; dependence on the use of medications and the scarcity of talking therapies for people in mental distress. How can we better plan for an inclusive mental health system that ensures there is no health without mental health?

The course does not lead to a professional qualification (such as nursing, or counselling) but it does equip you for employment and progression in the mental health field. It would also benefit anyone likely to encounter people with mental health problems in the course of their daily work (e.g. housing officers, teachers, advice workers). The course covers current issues in mental health provision both in the UK and in a wider international context.

Why study MSc Mental Health?

You will benefit from an exciting and challenging educational experience provided by academics, practitioners and service users. Everyone contributing to the programme has expertise in some aspect of mental health, either through personal experience, research or work experience. We make use of a blended learning approach so that students can continue their learning outside the classroom. Learning and teaching includes interactive seminars and lectures, self- directed learning, presentations and discussions.  

Entry requirements

You should normally hold a good honours degree at 2.1 or above, which is defined as a first class or second class honours degree, in a relevant subject discipline. See further entry requirements for alternative entry criteria. 

For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course, please click here to visit our dedicated web page.

2:1
Honours Degree

All about the course

Following the designated route through the programme will ensure that you obtain the most comprehensive knowledge of Mental Health. All modules can be undertaken on a stand-alone basis or as part of the full programme. The route through the programme is as follows, and full module details can be found further down the page:

Trimester 1

  • Contemporary issues in mental health 
  • Enhancing Care Through Research 
  • Migration and Mental Health 

Trimester 2

  • Understanding and Assessing Mental Distress 
  • Mental Health Impacts of Domestic violence and Sexual Abuse 
  • Inclusive and Reflective Practice 
  • Dissertation 

Trimester 3

  • Mental Health Statutory Practice: Rights, Risks and Responsibilities 

Module information

Core/optional modules

*Modules subject to validation

How you’ll learn

You will be required to complete a number of 20 credit modules as you progress through the course. Each module requires four full days on campus along with some guided off-site learning and 170 hours of self-directed study. If you are full time that will mean committing to approximately 16 days on campus each term, except in trimester three where you will be on campus for four days plus some tutorial meetings as you undertake a dissertation.  

Check out our Continuing Professional Development Timetables for more information. Information about MSc Mental Health can be found on pages 34-36.

We have put together a programme that will help students to understand and respond to the challenges of mental distress, trauma and health inequality.

Colin JohnsonProgramme Director

How you’ll be assessed

The assessments accommodate a broad range of learning styles and have been selected to enhance your capacity to apply theory to practice. Assessment activities include case studies, presentations, and essays. There are three points in the year when assignments are due in for marking. For modules taken in the first trimester assignments will be due for hand in early January. For modules taken in the second trimester work will be due in early May. Modules undertaken in the third trimester will be due in early August. You may be required to hand in plans or sections of an assignment during a trimester to help you prepare for the formal assignment.  

The full MSc Mental Health award is made of 180 credits. Each module carries 20 credits with the exception of the 40 credit Dissertation.

Your future career

Students undertaking the MSc Mental Health will be graduates entering the field or experienced practitioners who will bring their existing knowledge and skills to the course. It will provide the opportunity to share and learn from other practitioners from across the health and social care sector. Many jobs in this field require that you have work experience as well as knowledge of the key aspects of mental health care. Please note that we do not provide you with work experience so this is an aspect of your development that you will need to organise. We can give you advice on the type of volunteering or paid work that will enhance your employability.

During your studies you will be accumulating the key knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate that you are equipped to respond effectively to needs of people in mental distress. Evidence of your learning along with any work-based experience you are able to arrange for yourself will improve your job applications or enhance your prospects of career progression.

The MSc Mental Health is designed to enhance the possibility of career progression and promotes the habits and value of life-long learning.

Fees

Government loans of up to £11,570 are available for some postgraduate Master’s courses for students starting their course from 1 August 2021. Loans are subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

The rules around course eligibility mean that in some cases it may depend on how you are studying (full-time or part-time) as to whether you can apply for a postgraduate loan. To check whether your course is eligible, you can email the Student Fees Team or call 01227 923 948.

Tuition Fees for 2022/23 have not yet been finalised. These course web pages will be updated with Tuition Fee information once they have been agreed.

Further Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Mental Health are guided by the standards set by Canterbury Christ Church University Regulation and Credit Framework for the Conferment of Awards:

You should normally hold a good honours degree, which is defined as a first class or second class honours degree, preferably in a relevant subject discipline. If your first degree is in an unrelated field you will need to provide information in your personal statement that supports your reasons for applying to switch disciplines.

You will gain far more from this programme if you have experience of working with people who are in need of emotional and psychological support. If you do not have experience it will be important for you to try and obtain experience during your studies. We do not arrange placements so you will need to seek volunteering or employment opportunities yourself.

Apply now

I would like to start
I would like to study

Duration:

1 year

Location(s):

Canterbury
Apply

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