Programme Overview

Mental health care is evolving. There have been recent changes to the Mental Health Act, the official recognition of spectrum disorders such as OCD and autism, and the increasing demand on mental health services, with approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK likely to experience a mental health problem every year.

The prevalence of psychiatric illness means that it is highly likely that the first presentation and follow up of those suffering from these conditions will be assessed and managed in general practice or by non-psychiatrists in primary or secondary care.

Our online postgraduate diploma in clinical psychiatry aims to improve your knowledge, skills and confidence enabling you to improve the clinical outcomes for your patients presenting with psychiatric disorders.

Due to the nature of psychiatric illness (which may often be present/comorbid with other conditions and/or affect the way people behave in a variety of situations), improved knowledge of psychiatry gained from our online psychiatry diploma will benefit healthcare professionals working in fields supplementary to psychiatry and those likely to come into contact with psychiatric illness on a regular basis.

Our psychiatry diploma is designed for healthcare professionals on the front line, including primary care and specialist units, who need to be equipped to deal with mental health patients confidently and effectively.

On completion of this diploma in clinical psychiatry you'll be up to date with new classifications, treatments, and assessments that integrate psychological and social sciences, demonstrate how the field links to others (such as acute medicine, surgery, perinatal services, children’s services and primary care) and have an understanding of how the Capacity Acts and Mental Health Act influence delivery of services and the implications for you as a healthcare professional.

Entry Requirements

Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.

Applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree.

Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account. In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.

Documents Required

A copy of your updated CV including your address and date of birth.
A copy of your undergraduate degree certificate.
The name and email address of someone who is able to provide a reference, this can be a work colleague, employer or former tutor.
A detailed personal statement explaining why you would like to undertake the course.
A copy of your proof of English competency (see below).
English Language Requirements Proficiency in the English language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.

If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on admissions@diploma-msc.com for more information on the qualifications we accept.

Should you have already successfully completed the 1 year Postgraduate Diploma and wish to convert to the MSc and complete only the second year of the programme this is possible. Please contact our admissions department admissions@diploma-msc.com to find out more.

Who is this course for?

Our diploma in psychiatry is designed for healthcare professionals who frequently see patients displaying symptoms of mental health issues.

You could be working in a clinical setting, either in the UK or overseas, in a role such as:

Psychiatrist
General practitioner
Nurse
Social worker
Occupational therapist
Psychologist
Pharmacist