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Online MSc Mental Health: Career Outlook

Use your MSc to deliver better mental health care support

The mental health field needs experts who can work together to research and understand the causes of poor mental health, prevent those problems from developing, and respond to established illnesses by offering support from multiple perspectives. This interdisciplinary MSc programme offers a holistic approach to address these challenges in research and the field and prepares students to pursue a PhD after graduation if they choose to further their academic career.

In the last year, reports in the UK show:

  • A 16.2% increase in mental health services1
  • A 38.6% increase in services for those aged 11-151
  • 50% of all mental health symptoms manifest by age 14, and 75% by age 242
  • 74% of employers offer manager training to recognise mental health issues and ways to support employees3

Learn more today

Job Titles Related to a Degree in Mental Health:

  • Mental Health Manager
  • Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Health Promotion Officer

Step into critical mental health care roles

It is widely recognised that mental health illness is one of the larges global burdens of disease. In the UK, it is costing the taxpayer an estimated £70–£100 billion per year, and yet three of four children with a diagnosable mental health condition do not get access to the support they need.2

Most mental health problems show their first signs before the age of two, but, as children and adults with high resilience resources are half as likely to have a diagnosable mental health condition, the Foundation is calling for transformational change to embed prevention in all policies and practices that affect young people.2

The interdisciplinary MSc in Mental Health directly aligns with the Foundation’s goal of a whole-system approach to address mental health at four key pillars throughout life: to develop and maintain positive relationships, to minimise adverse experiences and exclusions, to have mentally friendly education and employment, and to respond early and well to the first signs of mental distress.2

  • There’s an average delay of 10 years in the UK between young people experiencing their first mental health symptoms and receiving help.2
  • 24% of employers expect to focus on adolescent or young adult mental health in 20242
  • 44% of employers expect to expand their networks to boost mental health care access in 2024 in the UK3

Programme outcomes and skills acquired

Students will develop in-depth interdisciplinary academic knowledge of mental health research, practice and policy. These skills and knowledge will aid in career development in several sectors and research fields of employment that are relevant to mental health.

  • 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.

Skills you’ll gain:

Skills align with an interdisciplinary MSc programme in a mental health context, such as:

  • Critical evaluation of theoretical and empirical evidence
  • Presentation
  • Research design, execution and evaluation
  • Data management
  • Science writing
  • Writing for different audiences and formation of formal documents (e.g. reports, proposals etc.)
  • Public engagement
  • Formation of narrative arguments based on appraisal of evidence

Career support

Your relationship with the University of Birmingham will continue long after your graduation. To make the most of your future career prospects, we will help you gain the skills, knowledge and attributes that employers are looking for.

One-to-one support

Access one-to-one careers advice and support via the University of Birmingham Careers Network for up to two years after you graduate.

Extensive network

Join an alumni network of over 300,000 students worldwide.

Online community

Connect with your peers and faculty and keep our thriving online community alive.

References:

  1. 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]
  2. Davies, S.C., 2014. Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2013, Public Mental Health Priorities: Investing in the Evidence. London: Department of Health. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/economic-case-investing-prevention-mental-health-conditions-UK [Accessed 23 January 2017].
  3. 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 25.10.2023]