Mental Health Studies MSc/Mental Health Practice PGDip

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the core principles and theoretical foundations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). You’ll explore how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected, and learn about key behavioural strategies and techniques used in CBT to support positive change. Through case examples and practical discussions, you’ll begin to understand how CBT can be applied in real-life settings to help individuals overcome a range of challenges.

You will be supported to critically explore the theory and practice of mental health awareness, prevention and recovery. There will be a detailed exploration of the key aspects within the field of mental health and the you will be encouraged to review innovative research, national and local policies and developments. 

This module is designed to help you develop advanced knowledge and confidence in delivering physical health care to people using mental health services. You’ll strengthen your practical skills while exploring the links between physical and mental health. The module also looks at relevant government policy, professional standards, and how to apply best practice when supporting the physical health needs of individuals living with mental illness.

In this module, you’ll learn how to plan and deliver care that supports recovery in mental health settings. You’ll explore the importance of involving service users and their carers at every stage of the care process, recognising their vital role in achieving positive outcomes. You’ll also develop practical skills for delivering effective interventions across a range of mental health practice environments.

This module will equip you with the skills to assess, reduce, and positively manage risks in mental health settings. You’ll explore how risk is understood and addressed within clinical, social, and organisational contexts. Through practical learning and critical reflection, you’ll build your knowledge, develop confidence, and learn effective strategies to manage a range of risk-related situations in mental health care.

Promoting social inclusion and supporting recovery are central to today’s mental health services. In this module, you’ll explore contemporary theory, research, and policy shaping mental health care. You’ll critically examine how services have developed over time and learn how to analyse and synthesise information to evaluate current approaches and suggest improvements.

*Only as part of MSc Mental Health Studies 

This module gives you the chance to explore how research works in the social sciences and helps you develop a critical understanding of different research approaches. You’ll also have the opportunity to design and carry out your own research project on a topic that matters to you and is connected to your future career.

Teaching on this module will follow a blended approach, combining online sessions with face-to-face learning. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including workshops, tutorials, seminar discussions, and interactive activities.

Learning will be supported through a mix of strategies such as peer collaboration, research-based study, and the use of digital tools and resources. Sessions may involve presentations, resource creation, group discussions, communities of enquiry, and technology-enhanced activities.

You’ll have regular opportunities to practise your skills, receive feedback, and engage with evidence-based approaches. All modules and programme content will be supported through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), in line with current technology-enhanced learning standards.

You will be studying online and/or at our north London campus in Hendon. For some of the optional modules you may undertake which are skill-based, these may be taught at our state-of-the-art facilities at StoneX Stadium.

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least two weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed using a variety of methods, which are informed by the University and faculty strategies. Each module will be assessed according to the assessment guidelines of that particular module, therefore assessments will vary according to the type and focus of each module.

The assessment methods of each module are designed to help you integrate theory and practice, maximise your critical thinking and synthesis skills, and develop and strengthen your understanding of advanced clinical practice. These include case studies, service reviews, audits/evaluations of current practice, reports, OSCEs, examinations, presentations, critical reflection on practice and critical reviews of evidence and portfolios, and research proposals.

The assessment methods will depend on the modules you take.

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.

Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.