PgCert Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) at University of Edinburgh

Programme overview

This postgraduate certificate is the qualification for registered social workers who wish to practise as mental health officers (MHOs) in Scotland. It is delivered with 12 local authorities in the East of Scotland through the East of Scotland MHO Award Partnership. Students take four courses and two periods of assessed MHO practice.

Faculty: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: School of Social and Political Science | Duration: 9 months (full-time, on campus) | Intake: October (induction mid-October, first course late November) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The first course covers mental illness, psychiatric diagnoses, recovery and contemporary mental health law; the next three follow the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Two supervised MHO practice placements apply the learning.

Career pathways

The award confirms the ability to practise as an MHO and widens career opportunities with current employers and across the Scottish local authority sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, or a recognised social work qualification with at least two years' relevant social work experience (qualified social workers without a degree may request special consideration). Applicants must be employed, supported and seconded by one of the 12 East of Scotland MHO Partnership local authorities, which nominate candidates; nomination is verified before the online application. Personal statement, transcripts and one reference required. English language: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (or equivalent test). Applications usually open in October.

Intake: October (induction mid-October, first course late November)

Duration: 9 months (full-time, on campus)

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