MSc / PgCert Mental Health and Clinical Psychology

All modules are assessed by a mix of coursework, examinations, presentations and a placement log.

MSc students complete all modules. PgCert students complete Exploring Mental Health and Distress; Introduction to Clinical Skills; and Psychosocial Interventions.

• Exploring mental health and distress in the clinic and community
  This course will cover a range of distressing experiences commonly encountered in mental health services, explored from a community and clinical psychology perspective.
• Research methods for mental health
  You'll cover the necessary quantitative and qualitative methods required to complete a Masters dissertation.
• Psychosocial interventions and treatments
  You'll be introduced to a number of interventions commonly adopted by mental health professionals, including cognitive behavioural, systemic, existential and counselling perspectives, in both clinical and community settings. Theoretical perspectives underpinning these approaches will be fully explored.
• Experts by experience 
  Taught by individuals who have experienced mental distress, this module will cover experiential perspectives on mental distress, exploring what it's like to live with distress, and how individuals have understood, managed and recovered from their experiences.
• Introduction to clinical skills
  You'll gain practical experiences of a range of counselling and psychotherapy techniques to enrich your practical knowledge.
• Placement module
  You'll have the opportunity to work directly with individuals and groups with mental health difficulties.
• Dissertation
  You'll carry out an independent project, supervised by an experienced member of staff.

We have placed employability at the heart of the psychology courses. You'll benefit from an annual psychology specific careers day, clear signposting of skills development within modules and career opportunities from the School and across the University.

You could go on to further training in a number of areas including clinical psychology, psychotherapy, care coordination, social work, mental health nursing and occupational therapy, though please be aware that many of these training programmes require previous and substantial work experience. The course could also help you gain roles and responsibilities within charities and NGOs.

Please note that successful completion of the programme does not qualify you to practice as a clinical psychologist in the UK and will not allow you to register with the Health Professions Council as a 'practitioner psychologist', nor to use the protected title 'clinical psychologist'. If you wish to apply for UK Doctoral training you must still have a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology (a good upper second is often a minimum requirement). This Masters course does not substitute the BPS accreditation requirement.

Employability Service

We were University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

You'll benefit from small group teaching, as well as receive tutoring sessions to provide further advice and support for future employment. Learning will also be supported via e-learning sites.

Course leader Paula Reavey received the British Psychological Society 'Book of the Year 2014' award for 'Psychology, Mental Health and Distress', which she co-authored.

Academic tutoring

As an Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named academic tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your academic tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your academic tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your academic tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your academic tutor a minimum of once per semester for 30 minutes throughout your course.  This is often supplemented with additional meetings arranged via email as and when students need support. In addition to this Learning Support hours for all teaching staff will be advertised and available for you to book additional time for support related to a specific teaching session.

MSc

2:1 undergraduate degree in Psychology or an allied field such as neuroscience, social work, nursing, medicine or psycho-social studies.

PgCert

2:2 undergraduate degree in Psychology or an allied field such as neuroscience, social work, nursing, medicine or psycho-social studies.

Please note that anyone wishing to go on to Doctoral training in Clinical Psychology in the UK must have a British Psychological Society accredited BSc in (hons) Psychology, often with least a 2:1 classification. Please check all courses you intend apply to for further information on this.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 201 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on funding your studies on the scholarships and fee discounts page.

Fee status

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 201 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.