Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Distance Learning
- Fees
- Home: £8,200
Overseas: £17,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
On this Postgraduate Diploma, you’ll learn how to understand the signs, symptoms and labelling strategies used in deciphering complex mental health issues, making you a more effective member of your service team. You’ll also learn study skills and presentation skills and engage in group tasks using problem-based learning, role-play, and group discussion.
You’ll learn about psychological therapies including individual cognitive behavioural therapies, cognitive analytic therapies, psychodynamic therapies, as well as group and family therapies.
Online learning students also undertake placements in a location convenient to them: your tutor will support you to identify a suitable placement.
In addition, you’ll also develop your research skills and complete a placement report. By the time you complete the programme, you’ll be an able communicator, adept at expressing your ideas in spoken or written form.
If you're a part-time student, you'll take 3 compulsory modules in the first year (Mental Health in Context; Psychological therapies: Paradigms and Systems; Psychological therapies: Applications and Effectiveness) and the remaining 3 compulsory modules in year two.
Mental Health: Psychological Therapies is also available to study to MSc level.
Additional costs
You may have to pay for travel to placements.
Some placement providers may ask you to provide your own DBS assessment, which will cost between £30 and £50, depending on the provider.
Structure
- Six compulsory modules
Compulsory/Core modules
This module provides students with knowledge about how mental health can be viewed in different contexts. From causal and protective factors to prevention, stigmatization, rehabilitation and social integration. It is also aimed at addressing contemporary issues, such as the impact of digital technology on mental health and the extent to which world crises can affect the onset and prognosis of mental illness. This module aims at enhancing critical thinking skills by giving the opportunity to reflect on the reciprocal relationship between the context and the individual. Issues or health inequalities, continuity of care and accessibility to mental health care are also addressed.
This module equips students with knowledge of core skills employed by Mental Health professionals in their workplace. The module maps out both classic and contemporary work in mental health settings and relates theory and research to practice, particularly in psychotherapy. Theory and research are drawn from a number of distinct areas, such as clinical and counselling psychology with a review of core mental health skills, such as assessment, diagnosis and formulation.
This module provides students with essential knowledge and skills about Applied Research Methods. The general aim is to equip students with transferable skills that can be either used towards completing an empirical project or conducting a systematic review.
This module provides students with practical application of Applied Research Methods. The general aim is to equip students with transferable skills that can be either used towards completing an empirical project or conducting a systematic review. There is no taught component in this module, except for 4 hours of tutorial sessions delivered on alternate weeks. These 4 sessions will be complementary to 5 tutorial sessions delivered in Semester 2 for Psychological Therapies:Paradigms and Systems and Psychological Therapies: applications and Effectiveness. The aim of these 4 tutorial sessions is to provide academic support for their completion of their Pilot study.
The module maps out both classic and contemporary work in mental health and relates theory to practice, particularly in psychotherapy. Research is drawn from a number of different therapeutic treatments, such as psychoanalysis, CBT, group and family therapy and 3rd wave therapies. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the effectiveness of each method and how these are used to treat a range of mental illnesses such as Psychosis, Depression and Personality Disorders. Students will be also submitting a reflective piece based on their clinical placement.
Elective modules
Assessment
Teaching
As an online learning student, you’ll meet weekly during term time (or every other week, if you study part-time) for online group tutorials, facilitated by your tutor. These mandatory group tutorials cover research supervision, problem-based learning (PBL), and other interactive exercises and discussions.
You’ll be able to access your class materials and lectures in an online learning environment, QMplus, where you will also submit your assignments. To complete this programme you’ll need a standard PC/Mac with reliable access to a broadband internet connection, headphones, a microphone and a webcam.
We take pride in the close and friendly working relationship we have with our students. You’ll be assigned an Academic Adviser, who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your time at Queen Mary.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Access to Queen Mary’s dedicated online portal, QMplus
- Access to video and audio recordings of all lectures and other online resources (journals, books and databases)
- Online group tutorials for role play and interactive discussion
- Access to our campus facilities if you decide to visit at any point during your course
- Watch our video to discover online study at Queen Mary
About the Institute
Wolfson Institute of Population Health
This course is based at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, which delivers internationally recognised research and teaching in population health. The Wolfson Institute is a part of Queen Mary University of London’s faculty of medicine and dentistry.
The work of our researchers and educators has had a significant impact on lives across the world. We provide integrated teaching and training opportunities delivered by leaders in the field. By sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research, we will continue to advance population health and preventive medicine on a global scale.
Queen Mary is a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry proudly holds an Athena Swan Gold Award in recognition of our commitment to gender equality.
Career paths
The skills this programme gives you are valuable for work in psychiatric or psychological services, homelessness agencies, learning disabilities services or forensic services and legal services.
We will encourage you to secure work roles in the field of mental health. We’ll help you prepare your CV, work on interview technique, and develop clinical skills if you want to consider more advanced and accredited courses.
- 92% of Institute postgraduate taught graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (2020/21)
- 84% of Institute postgraduate taught graduates are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 9 months
- Home: £8,200
- Overseas: £17,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 21 months
- Home: £4,100
- Overseas: £8,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in Psychology, Medicine or a related discipline .
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the Wolfson Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.