MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education (3 Year Route)

Why choose Herts?

Excellent reputation: Ranked 1st as best university provider for Teacher Training in the UK (NSS), and in the top 10 providers for employability by the Department of Education
Local industry connections : Benefit from our strong partnerships with over 300 schools and training providers across Hertfordshire, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire
Employment prospects : Whilst this is not a professional qualification, graduates gain opportunities for career enhancement through roles such as Designated Lead for Mental Health (DLMH) and other leadership positions.

2:2 honours degree (non graduates may be admitted who show potential to study at level 7)
Certificate & Transcript
Personal statement
Two references
GCSE Maths, English Language and Science (Grade 4 / Grade C or above)
Applicants from non-English speaking countries must provide evidence of English language proficiency equivalent to overall IELTS Academic score 7.0 with 6.5 minimum in each band.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Education
Course length	Part Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Students will usually be employed in education settings whilst undertaking the MA. Whilst this is not a professional qualification, students may progress into related roles or doctoral study.

About the course

This course is designed to equip students with the skills, strategies, tools and confidence to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and effectively manage the range of issues within educational settings. Whether building on experience in a current educational role, or beginning a career in education, this course provides students with the opportunity to develop the expertise, confidence and professional values needed to support a range of educational communities.

Mental health and wellbeing are increasingly recognised as having an impact on Early Years Foundation stage settings, schools, colleges and universities. The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have exacerbated challenges in these areas, and people working in education often find themselves dealing with these issues with little or no education and experience. The course will enable students to promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of learners of any age using a multidisciplinary, whole-systems approach for improvement. Students will also be equipped with strategies for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of staff.

A key aim of the programme is that students will learn in cross-professional groups, ensuring a rich variety of perspectives and focus on the interface between education and other professions. Students will consider these relationships and explore challenges and solutions associated with them. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of mental health and wellbeing in education and critically reflect on this with reference to research, their own professional context and good practice from other disciplines and educational phases.

This is an academic, rather than a professional qualification. The research element of the course provides opportunity for students to consider an area of particular interest in depth.

The MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education is offered on a part-time basis for two or three years.

View the MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education (2 Year Route)

Why choose this course?

This MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education award aims to equip students to become a change agent in their own educational setting by supporting and promoting the positive mental health and wellbeing of young people and staff.

Through this programme you will:

gain the required skills and knowledge to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of the education community, allowing you to thrive in your future career
have access to first-class teaching facilities and resources
be taught by a skilled group of research - informed academics, who bring together years of extensive knowledge and experience from a range of educational backgrounds. They will challenge, support and help you to develop your knowledge and expertise.
receive an exceptional learning experience - we are proud to have ranked 10th overall for teacher training in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023).

What will I study?

Taught sessions are built around discussion, discovery, shared learning and research with tutor support and expertise immediately at hand. All modules are constructed so that the focus of the work should be upon your individual context and interests.

For each 30-credit module, attendance at between 7/8 twilight sessions per module
A significant amount of private study and reading
Independent research
An assignment of 4,500 words or equivalent for 30 credit modules
A final 60 credit module over a year with a 12,000 word assignment
Full access to the University’s Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and virtual learning environment.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Exploring Approaches to Research	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module students will explore the development of research into educational practice, and its influence on policy and developing practice in a range of contexts. They will critically examine examples of research approaches and their appropriateness for different purposes. Students will critically review the different perspectives of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. They will then explore a range of data collection methods such as questionnaires, interviews, observations and evaluate the strengths and limitations of each. Students will have an opportunity to trial a method to evaluate it in greater depth.
Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
The extent and growing prevalence of mental health issues faced by learners of all ages over the past decade is well-documented. Recent research indicates that 1 in 10 children are experiencing significant mental health problems with two in five young people scoring above thresholds for emotional problems, conduct issues or hyperactivity. There is also an increased incidence of adult students' mental health issues in further and higher education and a need for staff in all of these contexts to increase their awareness and knowledge in order to inform practice. In this introductory module you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key issues, terminology, policies, perspectives and approaches to mental health and wellbeing in education. You will consider, share, discuss and critically reflect upon these areas in relation to your own education practice and context. It is anticipated that the learning from this module will deepen your understanding and impact on your own values. You will be supported by a wide range of literature and research which will help you to reflect on your own practice and context.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Mental Health and Wellbeing Practice builds upon the knowledge and understanding developed in the introductory module to examine key issues, policies, perspectives, and approaches in relation to individual, small group and whole-setting practices in different educational contexts. The module will draw upon a range of local, regional and national expertise in mental health and wellbeing practice in education. You will draw upon the knowledge and understanding that you have developed so far, with reference to the relevant literature, in order to critically examine and evaluate different practices as well as critically reflect upon your own educational practice and context. The module will provide you with opportunities to network, share good practice and develop collaborative working with other organisations and external agencies.
Critical Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
Mental health and wellbeing is not exclusive to any society or cultural group and developing a holistic understanding helps us to have insight into our own particular context. In this module you will have the opportunity to extend your knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing in a broader context. You will consider philosophical perspectives on mental health and wellbeing and international approaches and practices. It is anticipated that the learning from this module will deepen your understanding and impact on your own values. You will be supported by a wide range of literature and research which will help you to reflect on your own practice and context.
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education Dissertation	60 Credits	Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to undertake an enquiry which aims to impact on practice or enhance knowledge in a chosen field. The focus for the enquiry should be based upon a problem or issue arising from a professional context or a current issue in the field of mental health and wellbeing in education. In the design of the research students will examine the purposes and principles of research into practice and a range of both qualitative and quantitative research skills and strategies. A key feature of the enquiry is the emphasis on the impact of the research findings on educational policy or practice.

Key staff

Senior Lecturer Christine Collins

Find out more about Senior Lecturer Christine Collins

Administrator Michelle Galloway

Find out more about Administrator Michelle Galloway

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education (3 Year Route)	Download

Programme specifications
MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students

Part time
- £790 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
- £865 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
26/09/2024	30/09/2025	Apply online (Part Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Link
26/09/2025	30/09/2026	Apply online (Part Time)

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MA Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education (3 Year Route)

Why choose Herts?

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Part time

Living costs / accommodation

2024

2025