Children and Young People’s Mental Health (MA)
At a time of increasing concerns about children and young people’s mental health, our MA programme explores the issues young people face and how to support them.
This programme will focus uniquely on evidence-based therapeutic and supportive interventions. In particular, it highlights the importance of the voice of the child and research methodologies aimed at research with children.
The structure of this programme will ensure that students have experience in a range of interventions which work with a variety of presenting issues, including mental health concerns and neurodevelopmental disorders, affording them the skills and knowledge to apply in their professional fields.
In particular, the programme examines a variety of issues affecting children and young people’s mental health such as anxiety, bereavement, childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, ADHD, and attachment disorders. The modules fall into our specialist expertise (i.e., ADHD, ACEs, Therapeutic and nature-based play) to offer a unique, innovative programme underpinned by how we can all support children’s mental health and well-being through interventions such as resilience-building, therapeutic play, nature-based practices and outdoor play, trauma-informed practice and behavioural interventions.
Course details
- Full-time
- Blended (On-campus)
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Children’s mental health is a concern in today’s society. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren’t getting the help they need. Without early intervention, children are at risk of developing long-term or serious mental health problems into adulthood.
Supporting good mental health helps children develop resilience and coping skills for the future. Our MA in Children and Young People’s Mental Health will give you the knowledge and understanding to manage young people’s mental well-being and to develop strategies and non-clinical interventions to use in your practice.
The course will also encourage you to reflect on theory, policy and practice concerning young people’s mental health. For those wanting to extend their skills in research with children and young people, our unique research methods module examines creative methodologies appropriate to research with young people. These include participatory methods, the mosaic approach, drawings and storytelling.
MA, PGCert and PGDip
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
MA
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Accommodation
Further information
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This programme is open to individuals with a background in a related subject (i.e., psychology, counselling, or early years). You will be expected to hold a 2.1 honours degree or a good 2.2 honours degree (including a research dissertation).
Whilst we may consider applications from those with a background in a closely related area or on other merits that include experience in a related field, due to the nature of this programme, this would depend upon an assessment of academic writing and appropriate research skills.
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Assessments are designed to develop wide-ranging employability skills through various innovative and professionally focused assessments. They include professional portfolios, systematic reviews, presentations, promotional campaigns, intervention strategies, research proposals, and traditional essays.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Students for this MA are often professionals working with children (education, health and social care) who would like to develop their knowledge and skills to help provide further support for children and young people in an ever-changing world of complex needs and difficulties. Practitioners can use the carefully chosen modules within this MA to support promotion within their existing employment or act as a springboard into a more specialist role.
Postgraduate study is increasingly required to improve employment prospects and give individuals an edge in a competitive graduate employment market. Successful completion of this course demonstrates that you have developed specialised knowledge and advanced-level skills in analysis and research.