| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-06-01 | - |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-12-01 | - |
| 2024-03-01 | - |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-06-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2025-12-01 | - |
Program Overview
The MSc Mental Health (Online) program from the University of Birmingham provides a comprehensive online education focusing on youth mental health and interdisciplinary research methods. It equips students with a deep understanding of mental health diagnosis, treatment, and research to prepare them for careers in various mental health fields. The program emphasizes research skills, critical thinking, and effective communication for different audiences.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Mental Health (Online) program is a fully online, interdisciplinary postgraduate degree offered by the University of Birmingham. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of mental health, focusing on a whole-system approach to diagnosis, treatment, and research. The program emphasizes youth mental health and equips students with the skills and knowledge to address the growing mental health challenges faced by young people.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Develop a deep understanding of mental health research, practice, and policy.
- Equip students with critical evaluation skills for theoretical and empirical evidence.
- Enhance research skills, including project design, execution, data management, and analysis.
- Foster effective communication skills for different audiences, including report writing, proposal development, and narrative argumentation.
- Demonstrate a sound grasp of core mental health principles, youth mental health, and interdisciplinary research methods.
- Gain knowledge of advanced specialist mental health subjects.
- Develop independent research skills, including project design, management, data collection, analysis, synthesis, dissemination, and impact.
Outline:
The MSc Mental Health program is structured around twelve core modules, each lasting eight weeks. The curriculum integrates disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, sociology, social policy, medicine, philosophy, and education, providing a comprehensive understanding of mental health in a youth setting.
Core Modules:
- Research Methods in Mental Health: Qualitative Approaches (10)
- Translational Cognitive Neuroscience and Mental Health (10)
- Biopsychosocial Approaches to Mental Health: Epidemiology and Diagnosis (10)
- Philosophy and Psychopathology in Mental Health (10)
- Digital Mental Health: Research, Intervention, and Youth (10)
- Psychology of Suicide (10)
- Research Methods in Mental Health: Quantitative Approaches Case Control Studies and Clinical Trials (10)
- Psychology of Youth Mental Health: Brain Development, Early Intervention, and Communication (10)
- Service User Involvement in Mental Health (10)
- Ethics in Mental Health and Wellbeing (10)
- Psychological, Biological, and Social Factors in Mental Health: Causes and Treatments (10)
- Addiction (10) The program culminates in a 60-credit research dissertation. PGCert and PGDip levels are also available.
Assessment:
The MSc Mental Health program employs a variety of assessment methods, designed specifically for distance learning to facilitate the development of transferable and essential skills for future employment. Assessment methods include:
- Critical and reflective essays
- Reports
- Learning portfolios
- Video and presentation creation
- Other types of writing
Teaching:
The program utilizes a range of innovative teaching practices, including:
- Online e-learning platform with eight-week modules.
- Independent individual study, reading, and activities.
- Weekly goals and guided content.
- Expert-led learning from leading academic and practicing mental health professionals.
- Real-world examples through diverse activities.
- Collaboration with students from different backgrounds.
- Assignments, including reports, essays, presentations, quizzes, exams, and group work.
Careers:
Graduates of the MSc Mental Health program are well-prepared for a variety of career paths in the mental health field, including:
- NHS
- Healthcare Management
- Policy
- Postgraduate Studies
- Mental Health Trusts
- Social Work
- Occupational Therapy
- Mental Health Nursing
Other:
- The program is the only distance learning interdisciplinary MSc in Mental Health in the UK.
- Students will have the opportunity to learn from leading academic and practicing mental health experts.
- The University of Birmingham has a long and established history in world-leading interdisciplinary mental health research.
- The program offers opportunities to apply learning through the Youth Advisory Group.
- Graduates will join a network of over 300,000 alumni worldwide.
- The program addresses the growing need for a holistic, whole-system approach to mental health, particularly in youth settings.
- The program aligns with contemporary goals of a whole-system approach to address mental health at key pillars throughout life.
The estimated total cost of this programme is £17,030 GBP. You can pay in full or in instalments of £1,310 per module. Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for the academic year 2023-2024. Flexible payment options: We provide a range of payment options to meet students where they are and lower the barrier to higher education. The fee can either be paid in full or spread over manageable instalments by Direct Debit. No hidden fees: With no application fee, and no hidden costs, pursuing the Mental Health Masters means knowing the full cost of your tuition before you join. The total tuition fee includes full access to any required online resources. This includes access to the online learning platform, course materials, and required digital reading materials. Alumni discount: University of Birmingham alumni wishing to pursue this programme are eligible for a 10% discount off their total tuition. Scholarships: Contact The British Council or Embassy in your country to find out more. Postgraduate loan: UK and EU students looking to pursue a masters programme in the UK may be eligible to apply for a non-means-tested loan from the British government via the Student Loans Company (SLC). Private postgraduate student loans may also be suitable. You should consider sources and types of funding carefully and ensure that it meets your precise needs.
University of Birmingham Summary
Overview:
The University of Birmingham is a leading global university with a strong focus on research and innovation. It is committed to developing solutions for a thriving planet and improving the health of people around the world.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The University of Birmingham offers a welcoming environment for students, with opportunities to settle in, make new friends, discover the city of Birmingham, and prepare for their studies. The university also has a vision for its campus development in the next 20 years, aiming to enhance and refine the global campuses.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Impact:
The university's research is focused on addressing major global issues, such as climate change and global health.Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
The university encourages collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and find solutions to complex problems.Pioneering Breakthroughs:
The university is known for its pioneering research and breakthroughs in various fields.Academic Programs:
Other:
The university has five research challenge themes that guide its focus and draw on its vast expertise and resources. These themes showcase the university's pioneering breakthroughs, multidisciplinary collaboration, and significant global impact.
Entry Requirements:
- UK Home Students:
- A minimum of a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline from a UK university or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
- Related disciplines include: Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Medicine, Philosophy, Education.
- If you do not meet the standard academic entry criteria, the university will consider applications with practical experience of working with young people or in a mental health setting.
- International Students:
- The entry requirements for international students vary depending on the country of origin.
- Generally, a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with an upper second class grade or higher is required for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.
- Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- **Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band).
- Other accepted tests include:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
