Education Mental Health Practitioner (PGDip)

You cannot apply for the course directly without applying for the role of a trainee EMHP. To learn more about these roles visit www.jobs.nhs.uk

You’ll need a 2:2 degree in any subject and experience of working or volunteering with children and young people in a mental health context.

We consider professional experience in these fields:

• education
• mental health
• children and young people

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

This can be discussed at interview with the University and Mental Health Support Team.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This educational mental health practitioner PGDip follows the nationally prescribed curriculum and is designed to train you to become an EMHP to work in schools and colleges.

You’ll learn about providing mental health interventions in education settings. You'll develop the ability to assess children and young people with common mental health problems and provide evidence based low intensity CBT interventions. You'll also work with schools to support their mental health policies.

You must study all the modules on this course and you’ll need to pass them all before you can practice.

You must also have passed the simulated clinical examinations and the clinical practice video assessment by your second attempt. This is part of the British Psychological Society’s accreditation requirements.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• small seminar groups
• observation of example interventions by trained clinical staff
• clinical simulation
• exploration of real practice scenarios using ‘forum theatre’
• role play
• educational videos
• self directed study
• assessment of practice documents and competencies

Assessment

We'll assess you using the methods stipulated in the national curriculum which includes:

• multiple choice answer examinations
• group and individual presentations
• reflective essays
• simulated clinical examinations
• clinical practice video recordings
• case reports
• audits

Academic Support

Your EMHP service supervisors and the University programme team will keep in regular touch to support you, and your progress on the course.

You'll have access to a wide range of clinicians in your practice area. This is to make sure that you’re developing effective EMHP skills.

Successful completion of this education mental health practitioner training means you can practice as an EMHP. You'll be employed as part of the new Mental Health Support Teams.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

This course is fully funded by the NHS through Health Education England (HEE). 

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

To make an application, you must apply for a trainee EMHP role with one of our affiliated MHSTs through NHS jobs. We don't accept self funded applicants.

During your EMHP interview, you’ll meet a member of the University team, alongside a member of staff from the MHST. You’ll be able to ask questions about the course during the interview. 

If you’re successful in securing a position, the MHST and the University will guide you through the application process for the course.

The trainee role is full time and your working week is divided into 3 days of clinical practice and 2 days attending university. To learn more about the role, visit the NHS website.

Application deadlines

Contact your clinical service for information on application deadlines.

Supporting information

Your MHST and a colleague from the University will advise on any supporting information you may need to provide.

What happens after you apply

Depending on the outcome of your EMHP interview, your MHST and a colleague from the University will explain what happens once you've applied.

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000