Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £12,250
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
The MRes Social Science Enquiry in Creative Arts and Mental Health is a pre-doctoral training programme designed to provide a critical, research led approach to the study of arts for mental health, which include social science research into applied arts projects as well as socially engaged arts practices. The programme will also deliver training in the key research skills appropriate for doctoral level study. Alongside two substantive modules offered in conjunction with the MSc Creative Arts and Mental Health, the programme includes core modules in research design, and qualitative and quantitative methods, taken jointly with social science students from a range of disciplines across Queen Mary, Kings College London and Imperial College as part of the training offered by the ESRC funded London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP).
The MRes Social Science Enquiry in Creative Arts and Mental Health is an approved pathway for ESRC funding, enabling students to apply for ESRC 1+3 funding to cover both the MRes and a PhD, and successful MRes graduates to apply subsequently for ESRC +3 PhD funding.
Please note the application deadline for LISS DTP studentships. These provide full-time students with a stipend of £19,668 per annum, and their fees paid. Fees for International students may not be paid in full. Additional funding for research costs of around £750 per annum is also available.
Additional costs
You may have to pay for entrance charges and travel for performances, exhibitions and field visits, although such costs will be kept to a minimum. Set books are usually available through the library, but you may wish to buy your own copy in some instances.
Structure
Four compulsory modules
10,000-15,000-word dissertation
Compulsory/Core modules
The module provides you with advanced research skills, including the ability to select and use relevant resources effectively and to devise research questions appropriate for postgraduate research. You will develop the capacity to undertake independent guided research at postgraduate level.
This module teaches you to use advanced quantitative skills appropriate for postgraduate research. Further, you will be able to analyse, interpret, critique and replicate published research using quantitative research methods and will acquire sufficient technical competence using SPSS to perform a range of quantitative techniques in your own research.
This module examines contemporary debates within the field of mental health theory and practice from the critical premise that the dominant, so-called `biomedical¿ model of mental health is in urgent need of reform. Students will learn about critical approaches to assessment and diagnosis, psychiatric treatments, and mental health theory. They will also start to consider how the arts can contribute to a critical approach to mental health. Examples of themes include: critical psychiatry; the Power Threat Meaning Framework; Open Dialogue; a psychoanalytic framework for understanding unconscious emotional processing; social justice and mental health; survivors¿ and service users¿ narratives and critiques, including through the arts.
This module examines productive intersections between the arts and mental health from a critical perspective. It investigates the use of arts-based practices as research, education, health intervention, advocacy and activism in mental health. Students will learn about contemporary art practice which interrogates, critiques and/or contributes to mental health theory and practice. Examples of themes include: art interventions with groups and communities for the promotion of mental health and as preventive measure; creative enquiry for professional development; a psychoanalytic framework for understanding the role of the arts in emotional processing; artistic practices which give voice to survivors¿ narratives and concepts, including towards activism.
This module is designed for students undertaking a research project in their chosen area of mental health. Although this module is predominately independent study, students are expected to complete a set of formative assessments and have regular contact with their supervisor in order to monitor progress.
Assessment
- 67% Modules
- 33% Dissertation
Dissertation
You will also be assessed on a supervised 10,000-15,000-word dissertation.
Teaching
You will learn through a mixture of specialist lectures delivered by academics, clinicians and artists, seminars and group work and field visits. Social science research skills are taught in dedicated seminars.
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
- The new Graduate Centre and award-winning Lock-Keepers’ Cottage
- Queen Mary’s comprehensive libraries, including the Postgraduate Reading Room
- Access to the University of London Library at Senate House
Campus
The programme’s modules will be principally taught at Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, where students will be exposed to east London’s unique blend of emerging and established theatre companies and live art makers.
There will be opportunities to visit the Whitechapel campus, where the Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health is located, for seminars and access to our administration office.
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
This programme is designed for students who are accepted for doctoral research training through the LISS DTP Programme. It is also tailored to people who wish to pursue research careers in the area of creative arts and mental health.
- 92% of Wolfson Institute postgraduate-taught graduates are in employment or further study (2020/21)
- 84% of Wolfson Institute postgraduate-taught graduates are in highly skilled or graduate jobs (2020/21)
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £12,250
- Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
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 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in related subject.
Additional information
Applicants must also have been accepted into the KCL/Imperial/Queen Mary University of London ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
Applicants may be interviewed as part of the selection process. The whole application will be assessed for suitability. Applicants with Arts degrees may be considered on an individual basis if they can demonstrate they can conduct research in social science
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.