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.

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 education and teaching in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

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
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Exploring Approaches to Research30 CreditsCompulsory
    Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing30 CreditsCompulsory
    Mental Health and Wellbeing Practice30 CreditsCompulsory
    Critical Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing30 CreditsCompulsory
    Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education Dissertation60 CreditsCompulsory
  • 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

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