Mental Health Studies (Top-up) MSc
This top-up MSc conversion course is for Middlesex alumni with a PG Diploma in Nursing Mental Health or Mental Health Practice
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Viewing course details for 2025-26 year of entry
- Code
- PGB76B
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £32 (UK) / £46 (INT) per dissertation credit
- Duration
- 1 year part-time
- Course Leader
- Alfonso Pezzella
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Mental Health, Social Work and Integrative Medicine
Why choose Mental Health Studies (Top-up) MSc at Middlesex?
If you're a Middlesex University graduate, this top-up master's degree will allow you to continue your development in the field of mental health by undertaking a research project and converting your PGDip into a full MSc qualification.
We anticipate that completing this MSc will enable you to contribute to the enhancement of professional mental health practice, research and service development.
Please note: This course does not lead to registration as a mental health nurse or other mental health practitioner. Applicants wishing to undertake a professional nursing programme, please visit our Nursing pages.
What you will gain
By the end of this course, you will have refined your project management skills by carrying out your own research project. You will also have developed high-quality data-gathering and analysis skills.
By joining us on this Mental Health Studies top-up course, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Design and implement your own research project
- Network and work with researchers in the field of mental health
- Learn at a leading provider of health education, with a consistently high student satisfaction rating and established relationships with London's leading mental health trusts.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
This master's degree consists of a single module. If you successfully complete it, you'll be able to convert your PGDip into an MSc Mental Health Studies. The module is a combined research methods and dissertation module which will allow you to study social research design and rigour in social research processes including sampling, data gathering and data analysis methods. You will learn about mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative research methods and you will gain an understanding of conducting your own research project. The module will run in October for 5 days (10 sessions in total) and you will work on your dissertation under supervision.
Compulsory
This module focuses on developing your research capability as part of your professional practice within a health and social care context by designing and implementing your own research proposal. You will be expected to formulate a research question or problem and create a plan of work in the form of a research proposal to answer the question or find a solution to the problem. You will also construct a robust ethical framework to guide decision making during the research process.
This module focuses on developing your research capability as part of your professional practice within a health and social care context by designing and implementing your own research proposal. You will be expected to formulate a research question or problem and create a plan of work in the form of a research proposal to answer the question or find a solution to the problem. You will also construct a robust ethical framework to guide decision making during the research process.
More information on your course
To find out more about this course, please download the Mental Health Studies (Top-up) specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
We'll support you in refining your research problem or question through online workshops, individual tutorials and supervision. We expect that you'll already have a research topic you wish to investigate so we'll support you early on in your studies and help you refine the topic into a researchable question.
The course is delivered by our experienced academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms. Our learning activities include lectures, presentations, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.
A typical week looks like this:
| Learning | Hours per week |
|---|---|
| Online | 6 |
| Independent study | 10 |
Learning terms
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon and your school-based placement.
The module uses three types of assessment:
- Online presentations
- Production of a 3,000-word research proposal
- A research project/dissertation of 12,000 words.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills.
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.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas with and 600 computer spaces, with some areas open 24 hours a day
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Make the most of our free laptop loans, e-books, printing and photocopying
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
How can the Mental Health Studies (Top-up) MSc support your career?
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.
Career paths
The Mental Health Studies course has been specifically designed to further your career within the field of mental health. It does this by enhancing your existing knowledge and allowing you the opportunity for personal development, self-managed learning and expanding your professional network.
You will have the opportunity to gain a qualification that is directly relevant to your field of work. Past graduates have gone on to study Clinical Psychology programmes.
Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work in include senior nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers, and previous students have worked for the NHS or private sector.
MDXworks
MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.
Global alumni network
You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.
For this course we are looking for either a PGDip Nursing (Mental Health) or PGDip Mental Health Practice qualification from Middlesex University.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
Work placements and networking with top London employers
Career support to get you where you want to go after university
Global alumni network and connections.
Qualifications
We require a PGDip Nursing (Mental Health) or PGDip Mental Health Practice from Middlesex University.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
Part-time study
International applicants can apply for a Student Route Visa (formerly tier 4) for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).
Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:
- No work (paid or unpaid)
- No work placements as part of the programme
- No dependants
- No extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
- Not eligible for the Student Route Visa Doctorate Extension Scheme.
*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part-time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.
If your course fees will be paid for by an NHS Trust under contract with the University, then please download this application form.
However, if your course fees will not be paid for by an NHS Trust under contract with the University (for example, you are funding your own studies), you must apply using our online applicant portal.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:
UK students (self-funding)1
Part-time per dissertation credit: £31.50
Other funding options
You could be eligible to receive course fees via:
- CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University
- Sponsorship by your employer (not under a CPPD contract)
International students (self-funding)2
Part-time per dissertation credit: £59
Other funding options
You could be eligible to receive course fees via:
- CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University
- Sponsorship by your employer (not under a CPPD contract)
Additional costs
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.