MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education

Why study this subject?

This topic is a great choice for anyone who works within the education system and wishes to increase their knowledge of mental health, wellbeing, teaching, interventions and psychological practice.

Mental health and wellbeing are such important topics in our society, and the responsibility to guard young children and teenagers against issues such as anxiety, trauma, social injustice, depression and discrimination are increasingly falling upon the shoulders of teachers and counsellors.

By choosing to study a course that covers this subject, you are choosing to take action to help vulnerable young people across the educational lifespan, including those suffering from mental health and wellbeing issues. There is a wealth of research on this topic for you to dive into, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), positive psychology and research-based intervention.

With greater social awareness of mental health comes more research and more demand for wellbeing professionals. With growing opportunities appearing for those who are well versed in this topic, and its place within the educational structure, you can be well placed to make a positive difference to the lives of many young people.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Our course is specifically designed for those wishing to understand, critique and optimise the role of student health and wellbeing throughout the educational lifespan, from early years to primary and conceivably up to university level. Therefore, we provide a course that is a great choice for a range of professionals such as: head teachers, teachers, social workers, school nurses, educational psychologists, police and youth justice workers.

What makes studying this course at BNU so attractive is the flexibility we offer. You can study online and part-time which makes it perfect for anyone with a busy job or personal life. With this emphasis on flexibility we aim to provide you with the option to continue studying while you work.

We offer a highly interactive distance learning format which challenges and engages our students. A collaborative discussion element makes our course a unique experience, where the emphasis is learning collaboratively and discussing lectures together with academic experts and fellow students who remain professionally active.

What’s more, we foster a culture of care within our Psychology department here at BNU meaning you’ll always be encouraged to strive towards fulfilling personal goals and we will support you in achieving specific career goals, with the ability to network, grow your skills and plan for an effective career path post-graduation.

What facilities can I use?

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

Whilst studying with us you will also use our Apps anywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. Apps Anywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

This course is a 2-year programme with an online and distance learning approach, meaning you can study through live teaching sessions and refer to recorded content. The 2^nd year includes your dissertation project which is great opportunity to write a subject of interest in a research paper.

There will also be one-to-one and group sessions for you to discuss and debate content. In addition, you will have the support and advice from a lecturer within these one-to-one’s who will be able to assist you with objectives and information you may be weak on.

Our course offers those involved in educational practice, or working in support of pupils or learners, the opportunity to understand and undertake simple psycho-social interventions or practices, some conversational and some based on teaching process. Additionally, you will support adults involved in these occupations to help them gain insight into their own mental health and wellbeing and practices which may support them.

We will also aim to critically explore and evaluate the nature and deeper meaning of mental health and wellbeing across the education lifespan. We particularly emphasize the study of the relationships between mental health and structural systems.  

You will evaluate leading research and understand the best evidence-based practises and systems that have a role in mental health and wellbeing within education. As well as this, we will study the historical context of mental health and its future.

Our course will give you the ability to reflect on this topic from a multidisciplinary lens, to promote and influence mental health and wellbeing in positive ways.

You will receive training in how to recognise, respond to and constructively influence mental health and wellbeing needs in roles and work associated with education practice or in support of pupils and learners in education. 

How will I be taught and assessed?

A range of assessment approaches are used, aligned to the aims of each of the modules. The focus of your engagement with the assessment process will be negotiated with a member of the programme team to ensure that assessed work responds to your interests and career aspirations. 

While assessments will always include extended reflective writing for the purposes of applying course learning to practice, they are likely to also feature a range of practical and oral assessment methods, including presentations and/or professional conversations.

Your second year of study will include the development of an extended research project. This project may also be done in a third year.

The focus of this submission will be negotiated with a member of the course team, and you will be supported throughout by a supervisor. This assessment is an exciting opportunity to frame a significant piece of work in your area of interest with a view to sharing this externally either through implementation or publication.