Online MSc Mental Health
Earn your MSc in Mental Health online with a world-recognised partner
Interdisciplinary Programme
Focus on Youth Mental Health
Learn more today
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Quick facts
Years
Cost per module
Credits
Meet new standards
Youth with high resilience resources are half as likely to develop mental health issues, but since signs of illness often appear before age 25, there’s a call for a theoretical holistic approach to embed prevention in policies and practices that affect young people.
The Institute for Mental Health and School of Psychology offers a 100% online, interdisciplinary MSc in Mental Health that develops a holistic view of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and assessment types with a focus on youth mental health.
Programme benefits
- 100% online
- Interdisciplinary programme with the Institute for Mental Health and the School of Psychology
- Programme curriculum emphasises youth mental health
- Pay-per-module and no hidden fees
Be part of the solution in mental health care
Mental health experts must work together to understand the causes of poor mental health, prevent it from developing, and respond to illness.
In the last year, reports in the UK show:
- 16.2% increase in services.
- 29.2% increase in services for those under 18.
- 74% of employers offer training to recognise issues and ways they can support employees.
Graduate prepared to fulfil these needs as part of your current or future career in mental health services.
Unlock your careerStudy an interdisciplinary programme
100% distance learning
No residency requirement
Bringing together disciplines ranging from psychology, neuroscience, sociology and social policy to medicine, philosophy and education, the curriculum for the MSc in Mental Health programme provides a comprehensive understanding of the field with a focus on how it evolves in a youth setting.
Covering topics such as the psychology of youth mental health, research methods, ethics, biopsychosocial approaches to mental health, and service users involvement, this programme features twelve core modules lasting eight weeks each, giving you ample time to understand the core principles of mental health in manageable sections.
Complete your MSc in Mental Health with a 60-credit research dissertation. The online MSc in Mental Health PGCert and PGDip levels are also available.
Sample courses:
This module introduces and explores ethics of wellbeing and mental health as it applies to psychiatric and clinical responses to mental disorder. The module considers philosophical research and evidence in considering the ethics of early intervention and prevention, stigma and justice/injustice in mental health, and the ethics of psychiatric research and clinical practice, introducing and evaluating critical approaches to mental health and anti-psychiatry. The module will also consider ethics and mental health from the perspective of those with lived experience and consider issues of moral responsibility in mental health.
This module investigates service user involvement in mental health. It gives a foundational introduction to service user involvement. The module examines critical and practical perspectives on the co-production of knowledge in mental health between experts and those with lived experience. In considering service user perspectives, the module will address rights, advocacy and decision-making. The module will also address the philosophies of power and ethics as they relate to psychiatry, disability politics and mental health, and equalities and human rights. The module will also introduce the service user and survivor movement history and theory as well as service user and survivor-informed research methodologies and epistemologies.
This module will focus upon the range of treatments and interventions for mental illness and disorder, considering psychological, biological, social and integrated approaches. The relationship between perceived causes of mental illness and disorder and treatment options will be critically appraised. Prevention and early intervention will be addressed as part of a study considering causes of mental ill health and treatments. Systems of mental health care and the role of policy in mental health treatments will also be addressed.
Do you qualify to enrol in the MSc in Mental Health distance learning programme?
Apply Online
No Application Fee
To apply for the Online MSc Mental Health degree, you will need:
- Completed application
- At least a 2.1 honours degree or non-UK equivalent in Psychology or a related discipline.
- CV
- An optional reference
- An optional statement of purpose
- Language requirements (international students)
If you do not meet the standard academic entry criteria, we take into account applications with practical experience of working with young people or in a mental health setting.
View requirementsInvest in your future
Earning an MSc in Mental Health with an interdisciplinary focus is an investment in your career in mental health research, services or other organisations. It’s one of the best ways to accelerate your career and increase your earning potential.
The estimated total cost* of this programme is £17,640 (academic year 2024-25). You can pay in full or in instalments of £1,355 per module. All costs are listed to help you make an informed decision.
The tuition fee includes any online resources, including full access to the online learning platform, course materials and required digital reading materials. It does not include any personal expenses for new technical equipment or office supplies. All costs are listed to help you make an informed decision.
*Programme fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change each academic year. The fees listed above are for the academic year 2024-25.
More tuition details“I am completing the mental health masters. It has greatly benefited me to see mental health issues from interdisciplinary viewpoints, such as philosophy, research and clinical practice. I am greatly enjoying the course, and I know 100% I made the right choice.”
– Nuria Gardia, MSc Mental Health (Campus)
What you’ll learn
Develop deep interdisciplinary knowledge of mental health research, practice and policy as you study the critical evaluation of theoretical and empirical evidence, how to design and execute research, manage data, write for different audiences and create reports, proposals and narrative arguments based on your appraisal of evidence.
Programme outcomes
- Demonstrate a sound grasp of core principles of mental health, youth mental health and interdisciplinary research methods.
- Gain further knowledge of advanced specialist mental health subjects.
- Demonstrate skills in independent research, including project design and management, research methods, analysis and synthesis, dissemination and impact.
As well as providing the highest levels of convenience and flexibility that 100% online learning offers, the programme is full of interactive elements, like video lectures and group activities, which bring the content to life.
Rather than trying to replicate a campus-based setting online, we’ve built this programme from the ground up, drawing on the latest technology to create a truly unique and immersive student experience.
The online learning environment is not only a window to programme materials, it’s an opportunity to connect directly with your lecturers and other professionals like yourself.
Experience onlineDr. Sally Adams, associate professor, institute for mental health
Dr. Sally Adams is a teaching focused associate professor with a passion for enhancing the student learning experience. Her research interests are in the areas of alcohol use and hangover, harm reduction, recovery and sobriety.
Dr. Roxana Baiasu, Programme Director, Online MSc Mental Health and Assistant Professor, Institute for Mental Health
Dr. Roxana Baiasu is a research expert with more than 20 years’ experience in Higher Education in the UK and 9 years’ experience in online teaching at the University of Oxford. Her academic interests include the philosophy of mental health and psychiatry. She has written articles on these topics in prestigious journals and in edited volumes. She is currently writing a textbook commissioned by Wiley.
prof. Matthew broome, director, institute for mental heatlh, professor of psychiatry
Professor Matthew Broome is an academic psychiatrist and Director of the Institute for Mental Health at the University. He is a leader in the field of early psychosis and in the philosophy and ethics of mental health.
Online Open Week | 2nd – 6th December 2024
Find out everything you need to know about online postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. Register now to attend your upcoming online information session.
Register nowFrequently asked questions
You may have some questions about the programme, the university or the online environment. It’s always the way when starting something new. Don’t worry; we’re here to answer them.
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call +44 (0)800 032 7101.
No, there is no residency required to earn your MSc in Mental Health online.
The first step is to start your application.
You’ll complete 180 to earn the MSc in Mental Health online. You can review our curriculum page now. There are no residency or clinical hours to fulfil.
The requirements for the online MSc in Mental Health include:
- Certificate/transcripts
- Completed application
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
- Reference
- Statement of purpose
- Work experience
Tuition is £1,355 per module. You’ll need to complete 13 modules for a total tuition of £17,615. You can review all tuition costs on our tuition page.
Those who hold an MSc in Mental Health often pursue career titles such as mental health and wellbeing manager, health worker and wellbeing practitioner. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.
References:
- UNKNOWN (2022) Mental Health Bulletin, 2021-22 Annual Report. [online] Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-bulletin/2021-22-annual-report [Accessed 25.10.2022]
- Beckett, M. (2022) Online learning index. Uswitch. [online] Available at: https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/cheap-broadband/online-learning-index [Accessed 25.10.2022]
- UNKNOWN (2023) Employers Grapple with Workforce Mental Health Needs Post-Pandemic [online] Available at: https://healthpayerintelligence.com/features/employers-grapple-with-workforce-mental-health-needs-post-pandemic [Accessed 25.10.2022]