Global Mental Health and Wellbeing MSc
Validated by University of Essex Online
Duration
2 yearsStudy Mode
OnlineTotal Tuition
£13,884Monthly Payment
£579Qualification
Master’s Degree (MSc / MA / MPH)Start Date
January April July OctoberProgramme Overview
he MSc Global Mental Health and Wellbeing from the University of Essex is a 100% online, part-time postgraduate degree designed for professionals who want to develop advanced knowledge of mental health, wellbeing, public health, policy and evidence-based practice from a global perspective. The programme explores how social, cultural, epidemiological and policy factors influence mental health across populations and throughout the life course. It is particularly attractive for students who want to study while continuing to work, because the programme is delivered online and has an indicative duration of two years. Students can also tailor their studies through two optional modules, choosing a more clinical, healthcare-focused or holistic pathway.
University of Essex Online | Delivered 100% Online | 180 Credits | Approximately 2 Years
For worldwide students, the programme offers the value of earning a University of Essex master's degree without relocating to the UK. The degree is awarded by the University of Essex and delivered online by Kaplan Higher Education UK. University of Essex Online is a recognised member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and is registered with the Office for Students (OfS), England's higher-education regulator. The University states that its online degrees are awarded by the University of Essex, with the same degree certificate and transcript as its on-campus students.
The programme is particularly relevant to healthcare professionals, mental-health and wellbeing practitioners, HR professionals, managers, social-care professionals, public-health practitioners, policy professionals, educators, coaches and experienced professionals seeking to move into mental-health-related roles. It is also suitable for professionals working in organisations where employee wellbeing, mental-health policy and workplace support are increasingly important. Importantly, applicants can qualify either through an academic route—an undergraduate degree from an approved institution equivalent to a UK Honours degree or a relevant professional qualification—or through a work-experience route requiring at least three years of relevant work experience. Applicants must also pass their first assignment during the two-week induction period to continue with the programme.
Tuition Breakdown
Tuition fees and payment schedules may be subject to change. Contact UpCaria to confirm the latest information.
Entry Requirements
Academic Entry Route
Applicants should have:
An undergraduate degree from an approved institution equivalent to a UK Honours degree; or
A relevant professional qualification.
Work Experience Entry Route
Applicants without the standard academic qualification may be considered with:
At least three years of relevant work experience.
This flexible admissions model makes the programme particularly attractive to experienced healthcare, HR, social-care, public-health and organisational professionals who may not follow a traditional academic pathway.
English Language
For applicants coming from English-speaking countries, English-language requirements have been excluded as requested. For applicants from other countries, Essex Online states that an IELTS Academic equivalent of 6.5 is normally expected, although an online English assessment may be available.
Documents to Prepare
Applicants should be prepared to provide supporting documentation appropriate to their entry route, including:
Completed online application
Passport or acceptable identification
Undergraduate degree certificate, where applying through the academic route
Academic transcripts
Relevant professional qualification, where applicable
CV/resumé showing professional experience
Evidence of relevant employment/work experience, particularly for the three-year work-experience route
Any additional supporting documentation requested by the Admissions Team
Who is this course for?
The degree is especially relevant to:
Nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking postgraduate knowledge in mental health and wellbeing
Healthcare managers and administrators involved in service delivery and workforce wellbeing
HR managers and HR professionals responsible for employee wellbeing and mental-health initiatives
Mental health and wellbeing practitioners seeking broader global and policy perspectives
Public health professionals working with population health and prevention
Social workers and social-care professionals
Community development and NGO professionals involved in mental-health programmes
Government and policy professionals working on health and social policy
Educators and student-support professionals dealing with wellbeing issues
Coaches, mentors and workplace wellbeing professionals
Professionals seeking a career transition into mental-health, wellbeing, health-policy or related fields
Career Opportunities
Mental Health & Wellbeing Adviser
HR Mental Health Lead
Workplace Wellbeing Manager
Mental Health Programme Manager
Public Health Programme Officer
Mental Health Policy Adviser
Healthcare Manager
Commissioning Manager
Mental Health Coach or Mentor
Health & Social Care Project/Programme Manager
Programme Highlights
This foundation module establishes the global perspective of the programme. Students examine common mental-health challenges affecting populations around the world, together with global policies, frameworks and the social and cultural factors that influence wellbeing. The module provides a strong foundation for understanding how organisations and communities can develop more effective approaches to mental-health promotion and support.
Students develop an understanding of the principles of epidemiology and how statistical concepts can be used to analyse health trends. The module helps learners interpret evidence about population health and understand how epidemiological information can inform public-health decision-making and mental-health interventions.
This module explores mental health from infancy through older adulthood. Students examine how mental-health needs change throughout life, the role of mental-health services and relevant policies, and approaches that can support recovery and wellbeing at different stages of life.
Students investigate international mental-health policies, ethical principles, frameworks, attitudes and agreements. The module is particularly valuable for professionals involved in management, policy, healthcare planning or organisational decision-making because it develops the ability to critically examine how mental-health policies are designed, implemented and evaluated.
This module develops practical and theoretical research skills within health and social care. Students explore quantitative and qualitative approaches, research design and ethical considerations, building the capability required to critically evaluate evidence and conduct their own postgraduate research.
The dissertation is the largest individual component of the programme. Students undertake an independent research project on a relevant topic, supported by an academic supervisor, and produce a comprehensive research report connecting their chosen topic to the wider themes of the master's programme.
This option explores current global mental-health challenges, including policy frameworks, transcultural psychiatry, recovery approaches, peer support and contemporary services and interventions. It is particularly useful for students wanting a broad and current understanding of mental-health practice and policy.
This module is particularly relevant to professionals interested in healthcare leadership and management. It develops capabilities across communication, leadership and management, reflective practice, problem-solving, personal development and action learning.
Students examine specialist and often challenging areas of mental health, including stigma, media representation, self-harm and barriers to accessing support. The module also develops an important understanding of the distinctions between mental health, mental distress and mental illness across different life stages.
This module examines dementia from individual, caregiver and community perspectives. Students explore the biopsychosocial model of dementia, dementia care and contemporary issues in practice, providing particularly valuable knowledge for professionals working with ageing populations and long-term care.
Mental Health over the Life Course (Short Course)
Validated by University of Essex Online
Duration
13 weeksStudy Mode
OnlineTotal Tuition
£1,543Monthly Payment
One-time paymentQualification
Micro-Credentials / Short CoursesStart Date
January April July SeptemberProgramme Overview
University of Essex Online | 13-Week Postgraduate-Level Professional Course | 20 Credits | CPD Certified
Programme Overview
Mental Health over the Life Course is a 13-week, part-time online professional course from the University of Essex, designed to develop a deeper understanding of mental health and wellbeing from infancy through older adulthood. The course examines how psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors influence mental health at different stages of life. Students explore mental ill-health, therapeutic and support approaches, mental health promotion, and the role of health and social care services in supporting individuals and communities. The course is delivered 100% online, making it particularly suitable for working professionals and learners who want to strengthen their knowledge without taking a career break.
A major strength of the course is its life-course perspective. Rather than examining mental health as an isolated issue, students consider how mental health develops and changes across perinatal health, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and later life. The course also considers social and cultural differences in approaches to mental health, common adult mental health disorders, diagnosis, treatment and management, mental health support services, and relevant policies and legislation. Learning is delivered through an online virtual learning environment with multimedia learning materials, discussion forums, live tutor Q&A sessions, an eLibrary and dedicated student support. Assessment is assignment-based and includes assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries.
This is a 20-credit postgraduate-level University of Essex professional course, completed over approximately 13 weeks, including a one-week induction. Successful students receive 20 academic credits at postgraduate level, a digital University of Essex certificate and transcript. The course is also accredited by The CPD Certification Service, allowing the learning to be formally recorded as CPD. The CPD accreditation is recognised in more than 100 countries. On completion, learners may use the course as a professional development credential and may also explore progression to the University of Essex Online PG Cert, PG Dip or MSc Global Mental Health and Wellbeing, subject to the relevant progression
Entry Requirements
No formal academic qualifications or previous professional experience are required. This makes the course accessible to a broad international audience, including professionals seeking to upskill, individuals moving into health and wellbeing-related roles, and learners who want postgraduate-level study without first completing a formal degree in mental health.
English-Language Requirement
Because teaching and assessment are conducted in English, applicants are expected to have a high level of English proficiency. Where English is not the applicant's first language, the stated benchmark is equivalent to IELTS Academic 6.5. Applicants who do not have IELTS or an equivalent qualification may use the University's free online English assessment.
Applicants who are nationals of, or who have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, countries recognised by Essex as meeting its English-language exemption criteria do not need to provide separate evidence of English proficiency.
Documents / Application Information
Because no formal academic qualifications or experience are required, the course does not require a traditional degree-entry portfolio. Applicants should be prepared to complete the University of Essex Online application process and provide any information or evidence requested by Admissions, particularly where English-language proficiency needs to be established.
Who is this course for?
The course is particularly suitable for:
Healthcare professionals seeking additional mental-health knowledge.
Nurses and allied health professionals.
Public health professionals.
Social care and community-care professionals.
Health and wellbeing practitioners.
Counsellors and professionals working alongside mental-health services.
Teachers, educators and student-support professionals.
Human resources and employee-wellbeing professionals.
NGO, charity and community-development workers.
Managers and supervisors responsible for staff wellbeing.
Professionals considering a transition into health, wellbeing or social-care-related work.
Graduates and experienced professionals seeking postgraduate-level CPD without committing immediately to a full master's degree.
Career Opportunities
Mental Health Support Worker
Community Health Worker
Health and Wellbeing Coordinator
Public Health Programme Officer
Community Mental Health Programme Officer
Healthcare Support Coordinator
Social Care / Community Care Professional
Employee Wellbeing Coordinator
NGO Mental Health Programme Officer
Health Promotion Officer
Programme Highlights
Students are introduced to the life-course approach to mental health, examining how experiences and circumstances at different stages of life can influence psychological wellbeing. This provides the framework for understanding mental health as a dynamic process rather than a condition considered in isolation.
This topic explores the psychological and social factors that influence mental health. Students consider how individual circumstances, relationships, social environments and wider determinants can contribute to mental wellbeing or vulnerability to mental ill-health.
Students examine mental health during the perinatal period and consider the factors that can influence the wellbeing of parents and families around pregnancy and early parenthood. The topic provides an important foundation for understanding early intervention and family-centred support.
This area considers the relationship between childhood development, parenting and mental wellbeing. Students explore how experiences during childhood can affect emotional development and how appropriate support can contribute to healthier outcomes.
Students examine emotional and behavioural difficulties that can emerge during childhood. The focus helps learners understand the challenges associated with recognising, supporting and responding appropriately to mental-health and behavioural concerns in younger populations.
Adolescence represents a significant developmental transition. This topic explores mental health during adolescence alongside behavioural and misconduct issues, encouraging students to consider the social, developmental and psychological factors that may contribute to challenges during this stage.
Students investigate the mental-health issues that can emerge during young adulthood, a period often characterised by significant educational, employment, relationship and lifestyle transitions. The topic encourages consideration of appropriate approaches to support and wellbeing.
This topic examines common mental health disorders in adulthood, including their diagnosis, treatment and management. Students develop a broader understanding of how mental-health services and therapeutic approaches can support people experiencing mental ill-health.
The course extends the life-course perspective into later adulthood, examining mental illness and wellbeing among older people. Students consider the distinctive needs and challenges associated with mental health in later life.
Students explore the role of both statutory and voluntary mental-health support services. This provides an understanding of how different organisations and professionals contribute to mental-health support and how services can work together to address people's needs.
This topic shifts attention from responding to mental ill-health toward prevention, promotion and wellbeing. Students consider strategies that can encourage positive mental health throughout different stages of life and within communities and organisations.
Students examine the policy and legislative environment surrounding mental health. This provides an important foundation for understanding how governments, health systems and organisations establish frameworks for protecting and promoting mental health.
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