Overview
This course offers the opportunity to gain a recognised postgraduate award at Certificate, Diploma or Masters level, enhancing your employability prospects.
This course has been designed as a positive response to the national imperative for more education and training for healthcare professionals in perinatal mental health, and has been designed to equip healthcare professionals who may require knowledge at different levels and to meet different service needs. Modules offer an opportunity to explore different aspects of perinatal mental health and to increase your knowledge and skills in relation to complex and challenging issues within perinatal mental health.
In addition, this course is also offered to non-health and social care professionals who have experience of working in the mental health or woman’s health field or voluntary organisations, who want the opportunity to engage with the wider issues of perinatal mental health.
Reasons to study here
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- Great teaching: Academic staff are health and social care professionals with a wealth of experience, and are committed to providing inspirational research-led teaching within a dynamic learning environment
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- Professional links: Studying as a postgraduate student will increase networking opportunities intrinsic to career development and will enhance access to professionals in the field
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- Industry relevant: Modules are supported by experts from across the NHS and social care organisations, and benefit from a strong service user perspective. The variety of modules ensures perinatal mental health is addressed from a range of perspectives
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- Work and study balance: The course is offered on a part-time basis to maintain a balance between work and study, you can also choose whether to study at Certificate, Diploma or Masters level
Addressing sector needs
Whilst there is growing evidence that poor maternal mental health has an impact on the physical, social and cognitive development of children; poor assessment and detection, support and treatment of women, result in long term morbidity including low self-esteem and poor family relationships. More worryingly, suicide is documented as one of the leading causes of maternal deaths.
Whilst NHS England aims to reduce the incidence and impact of perinatal mental illness through early diagnosis and improved intervention and support, there is mounting concern regarding the patchy availability of perinatal services and the provision of education and training. This course has been developed to address these needs, by providing education and training for healthcare professionals in perinatal mental health.
You can apply for the PgCert, and then continue to the PgDip and MSc if you choose to. Alternatively, you can apply for the full MSc course, which includes the PgCert and PgDip modules as well as a dissertation.
| ModePart-time | DurationPgDip: 1 - 2 years | Start dateSeptember | Application code4902 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModePart-time | DurationMSc: 4 years | Start dateFebruary | Application code4900 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Health and Social Care professionals
Applicants will be required to meet all the following criteria in accordance with LSBU Academic Regulations 2015/16 (LSBU 2015); which are the minimum qualifications normally required for entry to level 7. They are the following:
- Hold a recognised health-related professional qualification and current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a registered nurse or midwife or registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a social worker or relevant professional role
- Employed within a health or social care environment
- An Honours degree (2.1) in a relevant subject, with a minimum of one year post registration practice experience; or
- A Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject and a minimum of three years post registration experience in a relevant field, or
- A professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree, or a postgraduate diploma, or appropriate equivalent skills and experience.
- English Language: Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS)
Where applicants are admitted to study the standalone module or a specific pathway, the same qualification requirements will normally apply as for the award-bearing courses at that level.
Applicants may also apply to have prior learning recognised through AP(E)L or transfer credit if this meets or exceeds the entry criteria for level 7.
Non-Health and Social Care professionals
For applicants who are not registered with a professional body, the minimum qualifications normally required for entry to level 7 postgraduate courses are the following:
- Hold an honours degree (2:1) in healthcare or related subject; or
- A professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree, or
- A postgraduate diploma, or appropriate equivalent skills and experience.
- Experience of working in the mental health or woman’s health field and currently engaged with health or social care environment (voluntary or paid).
- English Language: Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS)
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
United Kingdom
£2570
Tuition fees for home students
International
£3977.78
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Part-time
part-time
PgDip Perinatal Mental Health (Top Up) (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2570 International fee: £3977.78 AOS/LSBU code: 4902 Session code: 1PS00 Total course fee: UK: £3855 International: £5966.67 PgDip Perinatal Mental Health (Top Up) (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £2570 International fee: £3977.78 AOS/LSBU code: 4902 Session code: 1PS01 Total course fee: UK: £3855 International: £5966.67 PgDip Perinatal Mental Health (Top Up) (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £1285 International fee: £1988.89 AOS/LSBU code: 4902 Session code: 2PS00 Total course fee: UK: £3855 International: £5966.67 PgDip Perinatal Mental Health (Top Up) (PT) - Year 2
UK fee: £1285 International fee: £1988.89 AOS/LSBU code: 4902 Session code: 2PS01 Total course fee: UK: £3855 International: £5966.67
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 391 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.
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home
| Mode Part-time | Duration PgDip: 1 - 2 years | Start date September | Application code 4902 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode Part-time | Duration MSc: 4 years | Start date February | Application code 4900 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).
Accommodation
Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.
Year 1 - 2 (PgCert)
- Principles of Perinatal Mental Health
This module will enable you to develop a firm foundation of knowledge and skills in relation to perinatal mental health. This module is available as a stand-alone basis and as a core module on the PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc Perinatal Mental Health. - Screening, assessment and management of maternal mental health conditions
This module explores the concept of early prevention, early prediction and early screening in relation to perinatal mental health illness during pregnancy and the puerperium. Aspects related to risk assessment and relevant screening tools will be explored and critically analysed. - Socio-cultural aspects of maternal mental health
This module will enable you to critically appraise the socio-cultural context of the care of women with antenatal and postnatal mental health problems. It will explore socio-cultural theories of mental health and consider the influence of social inequalities and the concept of vulnerability.
Year 3 - 4 (PgDip)
- Innovation for excellence - leading service change
This Module explores key factors which together enable professionals to begin to critically reflect upon their current service and to design and implement innovations and changes in health and social care services. - Mother-infant attachment and family relationships
This module will examine strategies to support women and families recovering from serious perinatal mental health problems; promoting early intervention to support attachment and positive parenting; and to promote mental health and wellbeing to prevent relapse where pre-existing history of mental illness exist. - Research in Health and Social Care
The purpose of this module is to consolidate and extend your knowledge of research approaches and methods and enhance your ability to be a critical user of research evidence.
Year 5 (MSc)
- Dissertation
This module provides the opportunity to undertake original enquiry in a chosen area of professional practice.
Careers
Employability Service
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:
- Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
- 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.
- LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
For the majority of students, this course will enable you to care for women and families experiencing mental health issues with more confidence and competence, fulfilling the need placed within current universal services and will increase your employability as a healthcare professional involved in the provision of care for women during pregnancy and the puerperium. For others, this course will enable you to seek more specialist positions within specialist perinatal mental health services.
For non-health and social care professionals who work in voluntary sector organisations (including charities) and private companies, this course will enhance your knowledge of perinatal mental health, strengthening your contribution at a higher level; or enabling you to seek further employment opportunities either within voluntary sector organisations or the NHS.
Teaching and Assessment
You'll be allocated a personal tutor on commencement of the course. Regular personal tutor arrangements will occur at the university once per semester as required to follow progress and agree next steps in your progress.