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One in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. This postgraduate qualification will give you cutting-edge knowledge of relevant theory and the ability to apply it to care for vulnerable people in mental health settings.

  • Learn about the specialised aspects of caring for people with mental illness
  • Access to fully-equipped laboratories with high specification apparatus
  • Undertake a work placement as part of your degree

Why study Psychology of Mental Health?

Psychology of Mental Health aims to provide you with a chance to acquire an extensive knowledge base to progress into mental health related careers. The degree will educate you about the specialised aspects of caring for people with mental illness

During the programme you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement in an applied setting, providing you with valuable skills and experience that will aid your career development.

You will gain advanced qualitative and quantitative research skills and be expected to critically analyse existing research as you work towards your own original research project. This knowledge and understanding of academia will underpin the applied focus of the degree, in which the real-world implications of research are considered.

The Master's degree is designed for people who are confident using research methods in academic settings, typically from having studied Psychology or a related discipline at undergraduate level. However, if you lack this experience there is a distance learning online “bridging module” available which will help prepare you for the advanced research methods and independent project modules. If you would like further information on this route into the programme please email the programme director.

The PGCert programme is an alternative qualification available to students who are interested in this field and may want to consider a career in mental health, but who don’t want to commit to a full-time course, or who don’t have a strong background in research methods. This would give you the experience of studying this fascinating area at postgraduate level and would provide a good route into further study in counselling and other related fields.

Why St Mary's?

You will have access to fully-equipped laboratories with high specification apparatus.

Psychology is a well-established programme within the Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Science at St Mary’s. Our small and friendly team is committed to your well-being.

Entry requirements

2:2 Previous degree

A first degree (with honours) in Psychology or a related discipline at a UK-based institution (or equivalent from another country provided there is substantive Research Methods included in the first degree).

If your first degree in Psychology is not from a UK-based institution, or if your first degree is from a UK-based institution but not in Psychology, your application will be forwarded to the Programme Director for review and you may be asked to complete a bridging course in Research Methods as a condition of entry onto the course.

Additional requirement information

Even if you do not fit the criteria specified above, please contact the Programme Director to discuss your application: dawn.querstret@stmarys.ac.uk. We welcome people from different backgrounds and disciplines and we currently have people completing the course who do not have a first degree in Psychology. We are interested in working with people who have a passion for the subject area and who have a desire to work collaboratively with students and staff at St Mary’s University.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section (or equivalent).

We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.

Further information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

Course content

PGCert students will study two modules in the first semester (Foundations in Mental Health and Psychological Interventions in Mental Health) and one module in the second semester (The Lived Experience of Mental Health). 


Modules

  • Research Methods Core
  • Independent Project Core
  • Foundations of Mental Health Core
  • Psychological Interventions in Mental Health Core
  • The Lived Experience of Mental Health Core
  • Counselling Skills in Psychological Practice Core
  • Personal and Professional Development (Industry Placement) Core

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Career opportunities

In addition to being of interest to those wishing to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology, the degree could provide suitable training for anyone wishing to study for a PhD.

The programme could also aid those interested in progressing to careers in health-related professions such as psychotherapy, social work, mental health nursing, and occupational therapy as practitioners, researchers or managers.

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Teaching takes place in small groups.

Assessment methods

All assessments are coursework based.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the extensive use of authentic assessments that mirror the types of tasks practitioners carry out in the field. This includes case studies, diagnosis exercises, and report writing.

Fees and funding

2020/21 fees

  • Home/EU: £9,620
  • International: £13,650

The UK Government has confirmed that EU applicants starting in 2020 remain eligible for 'home fee status' and can access financial support.

Part-time fees

Part-time students will be charged for the modules undertaken per academic year. Module prices are calculated as a percentage of credits against the total credits and cost of the degree.

Tuition fees are subject to an inflationary increase each year, meaning if your course runs over more than one academic year you may pay an increased fee per module for each subsequent year of study. Tuition fee increases for returning students will be capped at the higher of 5% per annum or the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation in the United Kingdom.

Funding

Government-funded loans of over £11,000 are available to many UK/EU postgraduate students.

For guidance about financing your studies, including information about the government-funded loans, please check out Fees & Funding section.

International Students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.

Alumni discount

A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken For further information about additional costs please contact dawn.querstret@stmarys.ac.uk.

Facilities

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Further information