Why study this course?
Our Psychology of Mental Health MSc course is designed to provide you with advanced training in mental health. You'll gain an understanding of mental health law, safeguarding and working with vulnerable adults and children. You’ll also learn about how individuals cultivate resilience in the face of adversity and trauma.
You’ll enhance your clinical skills, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing techniques, as well as learning meditation and mindfulness methods.
This course would be ideal if you're a psychology graduate wanting to strengthen your position to undergo clinical psychology or counselling psychology training. Further, it aims to develop the skills of those currently working in social/health care practice to support career progression.
More about this course
This course will train those aiming to work in the mental health care services, social welfare, education and youth justice services, it also provides an opportunity for career change. Part of this will include motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural skills training aimed at developing students' practical and professional skills.
Assessment
Autumn semester
- Psychopathology – two 1,500 word assignments
- Specialised Clinical Issues in Healthcare - one three-hour examination
- Research Methods – one qualitative and one quantitative assignment
Spring semester
- Resilience and Mindfulness - two 1,500 word assignments
- Law, Protection and Ethics - one exam and one 3,000 word assignment
- Treatment Interventions (oral exams, two transcripts along with two case studies - two 1,500 case presentations with transcripts - students would be assessed in front of the group)
- Research Dissertation – approximately 8,000 words along with a poster presentation at an in-house conference and press release
Assessment would include your submission of one 3,000 word clinical case report (1,500 words) for each certificate (theoretically-supported) and additionally, your submission of the transcripts. These case reports would be based on a one-on-one interview with a colleague on your course in front of the group for assessment and training related group supervision.
Fees and key information
Apply nowEntry requirements
You will be required to have:
- a good degree (minimum 2:2) or an equivalent relevant professional qualification in the area of social sciences, health, education and human sciences e.g. psychology, medicine, biomedical science, nursing, health promotion or social work.
Experience of research methods and data collection is preferable.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).
English language requirements
To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.
If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2021/22 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
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This module allows students to explore the relationship between key aspects of the law, rights and code of professionals’ ethics within mental health. This module will look at the science base behind legal and policy developments across a range of mental health problems.
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This introductory module will focus on the theoretical explanations of psychopathology from a biological, social, behavioural and cognitive perspective across the lifespan. Using formal classification systems including the DSM-5, it will provide an eclectic and multidisciplinary approach to understanding psychopathology. Various theoretical frameworks in both understanding and management of psychological problems will be explored.
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You will be introduced to methods of psychological investigation and develop your ability to design such investigations, to understand the ethical implications of the methods used, and to assess the data collected. Each of these aims is associated with general competencies that are highly valued in employment settings (e.g., communication, numeracy, critical thinking). The module also aims to facilitate integration of students’ knowledge and understanding of research methods with their knowledge and understanding in core areas of psychology, e.g. cognitive or developmental psychology) and to provide students with a firm foundation for their Master’s level project.
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This module supports the process of planning and executing a research project.
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This module will focus on the importance of integrating resilience and mindfulness into healthcare practices to support and develop clients skills necessary for coping with problems and set- backs. It will integrate resilience and mindfulness across the lifespan in the context of mental health, special needs, the care system, at risk families and end of life issues from a cultural and systemic perspective. This module will further employ a family systems approach and explore the assessment of families, resilience, mental health promotion and empowering families towards making positive changes towards mental wellbeing. Theoretical models such as attachment theory, epigenetics, family and bio-ecological systems approach will be also covered.
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This module will focus on clients’ access to mental health care services in the NHS including specialized areas of psychopathology. Using formal classification systems and in line with the NHS and NICE guidelines, specialized clinical issues would target psychopathology and intervention strategies among clients with complex needs. A bio-psychosocial approach towards understanding and treating complex psychopathologies including substance misuse, eating disorders and ADHD would integrate an eclectic and multidisciplinary approach to treatment intervention. Various theoretical frameworks in both the understanding and management of psychological difficulties will be explored across the lifespan.
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This module is aimed at developing students’ professional & practitioner skills in Motivational Interviewing and Therapeutic interventions, which may support their current working practices and/or assist and develop their employability. The module presents, discusses, and critically evaluates evidence-oriented interventions for substance misuse and psychological distress. Motivational interviewing, Therapeutic techniques, and evidence-based interventions, will be described, demonstrated, used and evaluated with targeted clients. Clients in this context will include other students and teaching & examining team only. For students with no core psychology/healthcare training additional training would be necessary to pursue a clinical/counselling career.
By the end of the module you will be able to:
1. Understand Motivational Interviewing skills in a therapeutic context.
2. Use scientific evidence to evaluate critically Motivational Interviewing and Therapy skills across the lifespan.
3. Specify the theoretical principles underlying these interventions.
4. Manifest a detailed grasp of Motivational Interviewing and Therapy skills for mental health problems.
5. To be able to utilise Motivational interviewing and Therapy skills in a professional context
What our students say
"There was a great deal of support, the course was interesting and it was useful to have some clinical skills on it- which has helped me in my own practice"
a graduate.
"The course has helped me get an interview for clinical psychology and I feel this has given me a solid foundation to work on"
a graduate.
Where this course can take you
Graduates have progressed on to working in different mental health care based organisations including mental health charities and NHS based services. Non mental health care settings have included schools and further higher education training.
Additional costs
Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.
Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
How to apply
Use the apply button to begin your application.
If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.
When to apply
You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.
