BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Mental Health

• Programme overview

• This programme offers the awards of BSc /BSc (Hons), Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma. 

  BSc – to achieve a BSc you will need to earn 80 credits by undertaking two 20 credit core modules and up to two optional modules adding up to 40 credits.

  BSc (Hons)– to achieve a BSc (Hons) you will need to earn 120 credits by undertaking three core modules – two 20 credit modules and one 40 credit module – and up to two optional modules adding up to 40 credits.

  Students who have previously obtained a health related degree at 2:2 or above are eligible to access the programme via the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma route – please see panel below for further details.

  The module 'HEAD361 – Independent study' is only a core module for students who wish to achieve the BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Long Term Conditions award.For further information on the modules that make up this programme please visit the BSc (Hons)/BSc Professional Development modules.

  Examples of optional modules (not exhaustive)
  HEAD351 – CBT interventions for mental health professionals (psychosis) 
  HEAD353 – Working with People with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder

  Optional modules

  • Independent Study (HEAD361)

    This module extends knowledge of primary and secondary research and develops critical appraisal skills. Students construct an integrative literature review of a practice focused research topic.

  • Advancing the Management of Long Term Conditions (ADV605)

    This module focuses on developing knowledge and understanding to support service development for people with long term conditions' that is person centred; promoting self-management and collaborative working. The module is based upon best practice as discussed within national and international policy and guidelines. It will explore in depth the impact of long term conditions on the individual, their family and carers.

  • Advancing the Management of Long Term Conditions (ADV605Z)

    This module focuses on developing knowledge and understanding to support service development for people with long term conditions' that is person centred; promoting self-management and collaborative working. The module is based upon best practice as discussed within national and international policy and guidelines. It will explore in depth the impact of long term conditions on the individual, their family and carers.

  • The Child and Young Person with Mental Health Needs (HEAC385)

    This module introduces the student to the holistic care of children with mental health needs and their family.

  • Supporting People in Loss, Grief and Bereavement - Enhanced Practice (HEAD304P)

    This module is designed to equip health and care staff, who have a role in supporting people who are facing or experiencing loss and bereavement, with additional skills and knowledge. It will be of interest to a wide range of professionals and workers who may be involved in providing ongoing bereavement support.

  • Supporting People in Loss, Grief and Bereavement - Enhanced Practice (HEAD304T)

    This module is designed to equip health and care staff, who have a role in supporting people who are facing or experiencing loss and bereavement, with additional skills and knowledge. It will be of interest to a wide range of professionals and workers who may be involved in providing ongoing bereavement support.

  • Tissue Viability: Core Knowledge for Practice (HEAD339E)

    This module will support the development of the core knowledge required for effective tissue viability practice. Using their own clinical practice as a way of contextualising their developing knowledge, learners will engage with published literature and consider the role of evidence based practice in relation to tissue viability.

  • Advancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer (HEAD347C)

    This module is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners who care for the person with dementia and their carer in a general setting. This module will link evidence based theory to current clinical practice and provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and give effective high quality care.

  • Advancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer (HEAD347P)

    This module is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners who care for the person with dementia and their carer in a general setting. This module will link evidence based theory to current clinical practice and provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and give effective high quality care.

  • CBT Interventions for Mental Health Professionals (Psychosis) (HEAD351)

    This module will focus on the development of systematic knowledge and skills in the use of CBT for the treatment of psychotic experiences. This includes effective assessment; formulation and the use of formal diagnostic systems alongside the development of skills required for the effective use of CBT in psychosis. There will be a focus on reflective practice and workplace-based cases to ensure clinical relevance.

  • Working with People with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder (HEAD353)

    The module seeks to underpin mental health practice in working with people whose personality difficulties lead them to come into conflict with others, engage in harm themselves or to be labelled as 'personality disordered'. The module is designed to develop evidence based interventions in a range of settings. There will be a focus on reflective practice and workplace-based cases to ensure clinical relevance.

  • Foundation Course in Family Therapy (HEAD356P)

    This module will focus on the theory and practice of contemporary Family Therapy practice in healthcare provision and health enhancement in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical settings.

  • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360)

    The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

  • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360C)

    The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

  • Understanding Evidence to Inform Clinical Decision Making (HEAD360P)

    The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around evidence-informed decision making. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

  • Clinical Decision Making in Healthcare Practice (HEAD362)

    This module draws on knowledge, skills and experiences gained through work as a registered healthcare professional and further develops clinical reasoning ability.

  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Practice (HEAD363)

    This module builds on existing knowledge of legal and ethical frameworks. Students explore and debate ethical and legal concepts, issues and theories relating to health and social care.

  • Integrated Advancing Practice in Context (HEAD366)

    This module will enable the student to develop their professional understanding of Advancing Practice within their working environment and explore the complexities of their practice. They will examine the legal & ethical boundaries and accountability of practice personally, professionally and strategically.

  • The Fundamentals of Health Assessment (HEAD367)

    This module is designed to enable healthcare professionals to critically examine and develop in an area of professional clinical practice, in a range of settings. Taught workshops will guide the student, building on their pre-existing body of knowledge to further develop their skills in health assessment, clinical examination and clinical reasoning.

  • Holistic Neonatal Assessment and Clinical Management (HEAD375P)

    This module will enable neonatal nurses to develop existing professional skills. Performing comprehensive health assessments through history taking, clinical examination, diagnosis and documentation, to contribute to initial treatment and management strategies. The practitioner develops competence through experience in clinical practice, utilising pathophysiological knowledge within the clinical decision making process.

  • Perinatal Mental Health (HEAD377)

    This module will enable students to increase their knowledge surrounding the development and management of the care of childbearing women with perinatal mental health needs. Students will be research informed and prepared to explore evidence to inform decision making. The needs of mothers and babies; before, during and after birth, would be at the centre of care with a strong emphasis on respect and dignity.

  • Substance Misuse and Dual Diagnosis (HEAD383)

    This module focuses on the services and interventions for people who misuse a range of substances or have 'dual diagnosis' implying co-existing mental health problems. Participants will develop their skills for working with this group, consider the influence of various models and approaches as well as the issues for them as individuals and for society.

  • Work Based Learning (HEAD391)

    This module enables the student to undertake an individual work based project and meet a set of agreed learning outcomes for a specified programme of study.

  • Work Based Learning (HEAD391P)

    This module enables the student to undertake an individual work based project and meet a set of agreed learning outcomes for a specified programme of study.

  • Advanced Psychosocial Assessment and Formulation (HEAD398)

    This module will enable students to develop an in-depth understanding of conceptual frameworks and the use of therapeutic factors to undertake a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of mental health presentations, and to develop a critical understanding of person-centred formulations. There will be a focus on reflective practice and clinical application.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Mental Health pathway specification_6167

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

To be eligible for the BSc or BSc (Hons) programme you will need to be either a registered health and social care professional or a health and social care worker in possession of previous study at level 5 (foundation degree /diploma of higher education). You should also be working in a mental health service area where you will be able to meet your chosen module learning outcomes.

If you wish to undertake the graduate certificate and graduate diploma award pathways you must already hold an honours degree at 2:2 or above in a health or health related subject.

If you wish to undertake any clinical skills modules as part of your programme you will need to be working in an environment where you can meet the learning outcomes.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – minimum overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5 average with a minimum 5.5 in each category.

AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.

When to apply
Applications for this programme can usually be made throughout the year. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.

Apply for this programme
To apply for this programme please complete the application form and return via email to:

Email: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Tel: +44 1752 586951

What happens after I apply?
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case if you are an overseas student may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability website.

Support is also available from our International Office if you are an overseas student applying to the University.