MA Creative Writing
The MA Creative Writing at Leeds Trinity University is structured to help students deve...
MA Mental Health in Children and Young People
Horsforth
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MA Mental Health in Children and Young People at Leeds Trinity University offers a comprehensive and practitioner-focused exploration of mental health challenges and support strategies within educational and social care environments for individuals aged 0-25. Designed for professionals currently working with children and young people, as well as graduates aspiring to enter this vital field, the program aims to equip students with advanced skills, knowledge, and understanding to promote positive mental health and intervene effectively in multi-professional settings. It critically examines current policies, strategies, and debates surrounding children and young people's mental health, addressing the significant impact of mental health issues on educational and life outcomes. The course is available in both full-time (12 months) and part-time (24 months) formats, offering flexibility for students to balance study with professional commitments.
Curriculum: The curriculum is structured around a multidisciplinary approach, integrating theory, practice, and research across its modules to provide a holistic understanding of mental health in children and young people. Core modules include 'Mental Health in Context,' which critically analyses policy development and current strategies, and 'Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs,' exploring the causes, triggers, and universal to early intervention support for difficulties like anxiety and depression. Students also undertake a 'Research Methods' module, covering issues pertinent to mental health research and developing proposals, culminating in a significant 'Supervised Research Project' (dissertation). Optional modules allow for specialisation, such as 'Individual Intervention Strategies in Practice' (covering techniques like motivational interviewing, CBT, mindfulness, and art-based therapies), 'Family Intervention Strategies in Practice' (focusing on strengthening families and building resilience), and 'Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Practice' (examining the link between SEN and SEMH needs). Assessments are varied, including essays, reports, research proposals, and reflective portfolios, often allowing students to apply learning directly to their professional contexts.
Research Focus: The MA Mental Health in Children and Young People places a strong emphasis on developing students' research capabilities and fostering evidence-based practice. Through the 'Research Methods' module, students learn to critically evaluate existing research, explore ethical considerations in mental health studies, and develop sound research proposals. The program culminates in a 'Supervised Research Project,' where students engage in the collection, interpretation, and critical analysis of data, synthesising findings to draw well-founded conclusions that can significantly influence policy and practice. This key component allows for an in-depth exploration of a chosen research interest within the field of children and young people's mental health, enabling students to contribute original insights and practical recommendations to an area of critical societal importance.
Industry Engagement: The MA Mental Health in Children and Young People is a highly practitioner-focused course, designed to equip graduates with the skills and confidence to make a tangible impact in their professional roles. The university requires applicants to be working, volunteering, or willing to undertake a placement in a relevant setting, ensuring that theoretical learning is directly applicable to real-world challenges. The curriculum is developed in the context of present challenges in supporting young people's mental health within educational and social care environments. There is a strong focus on employability and career progression, with opportunities for one-to-one career planning support. The program aims to develop professionals who can identify wellbeing concerns, understand organisational roles in mental health support, and contribute to the design, monitoring, and evaluation of preventative and intervention-based provision.
Global Perspective: The program adopts a multidisciplinary approach that looks at emerging issues within mental health both nationally and internationally, ensuring that students are at the forefront of contemporary practice. While grounded in the UK context, the curriculum implicitly covers universal aspects of child and adolescent mental health, making the learning relevant on a global scale. The integration of theory, practice, and research aims to provide students with insights into diverse approaches to mental health support from around the world. Furthermore, Leeds Trinity University's commitment to fostering a diverse student body naturally enriches classroom discussions with varied international perspectives on the challenges and solutions for mental health in children and young people, preparing graduates for impactful roles in an interconnected global landscape.
Location
Horsforth
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 12000
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 55% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 79.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
Leeds Trinity University is making higher education accessible and affordable for international students. The university offers a range of scholarships designed to support students financially and recognize their academic achievements. These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden of studying abroad and provide an opportunity for students to focus on their academic and personal growth.
International Scholarships: Leeds Trinity University offers scholarships to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students to help reduce tuition fees. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and aim to assist talented students in pursuing their chosen degree programs. The university provides a significant number of scholarships to international students, helping to make their education in the UK more affordable.
International Merit Scholarships: Leeds Trinity University recognizes students with outstanding academic achievements through the International Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance in their previous studies. International students who meet the eligibility criteria are awarded a discount on their tuition fees, making it easier for them to study at Leeds Trinity. These merit-based scholarships are highly competitive and reward students for their hard work and dedication.
Regional Scholarships: Leeds Trinity University offers regional scholarships to students from specific regions and countries. These scholarships aim to increase diversity and attract high-achieving students from underrepresented areas. Regional scholarships provide international students with a discount on their tuition fees and are available to students from selected countries. The scholarships not only help reduce tuition costs but also encourage students from various parts of the world to study at Leeds Trinity.
Alumni Scholarship: Leeds Trinity University offers an Alumni Scholarship for international students who have family members or relatives that previously studied at the university. This scholarship is designed to maintain the strong relationship between the university and its alumni community. Eligible international students can receive a discount on their tuition fees, making it easier for families to continue their educational legacy at Leeds Trinity University.
Sports Scholarships: Leeds Trinity University offers sports scholarships to international students who demonstrate excellence in their chosen sport. These scholarships provide financial support and access to the university's world-class sports facilities, allowing student-athletes to balance their academic studies with their athletic pursuits. Sports scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students and are aimed at fostering athletic talent alongside academic achievement.
The MA Mental Health in Children and Young People from Leeds Trinity University provides graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills highly valued across various sectors focused on supporting the mental well-being of young individuals. This specialised Master's degree prepares individuals for impactful roles in health, education, social care, and the charitable sector, often at a more strategic or intervention-focused level.
Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) / Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP): Graduates are well-suited for these rapidly growing roles, working within Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools and colleges. They provide early intervention for mild to moderate mental health difficulties, deliver evidence-based interventions, and promote mental health literacy among students and staff.
Mental Health Coordinator/Lead in Schools: With an understanding of mental health policy and intervention strategies, graduates can take on roles within educational settings, coordinating mental health provision, developing wellbeing programmes, and acting as a key liaison between schools and external mental health services.
Youth Mental Health Project Manager/Officer (Charitable Sector): Many non-profit organisations and charities focus on youth mental health. Graduates can lead or contribute to projects that design, deliver, and evaluate mental health support programmes, outreach initiatives, and advocacy campaigns for young people.
Family Support Worker (Specialising in Mental Health): Building on the program's focus on family interventions, graduates can work as Family Support Workers, specifically addressing the mental health needs of children and young people within the family unit, offering targeted support and connecting families to appropriate resources.
Community Mental Health Worker (Children & Adolescents): In community-based mental health services, graduates can provide direct support, conduct initial assessments, develop care plans, and facilitate access to specialist services for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.
Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner/Advisor: This role involves working within various settings, such as local authorities, health trusts, or private practices, to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience in children and young people, often delivering workshops or one-to-one support using evidence-based techniques.
Research Assistant/Associate (Child Mental Health): The strong research component of the MA prepares graduates for roles in academic or clinical research. They can contribute to studies focused on understanding child and adolescent mental health, evaluating interventions, or informing public policy.
Clinical Support Worker (CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services): While not a direct clinical qualification, the MA provides an excellent foundation for support roles within CAMHS teams. Graduates can assist psychologists, psychiatrists, and other clinicians in delivering treatment plans and providing direct patient support.
Youth Offending Service (YOS) Worker (Mental Health Focus): Graduates can work within Youth Offending Services, providing mental health assessments and support to young offenders, addressing underlying mental health issues that may contribute to their offending behaviour and promoting rehabilitation.
Training and Development Officer (Mental Health): With their in-depth knowledge, graduates can develop and deliver training programs for professionals (e.g., teachers, social workers, youth workers) on identifying, understanding, and responding to mental health needs in children and young people.
