Program Overview

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MSc Perinatal Mental Health

Course summary

This course explores perinatal mental health in detail, approaching risk management, care, and global issues as part of an interdisciplinary, international cohort. You will study at your own pace and around your career, completing self-directed distance learning with online tutorials. You will apply your knowledge and improve your practice, connecting and collaborating with co-learners and expert tutors.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive distance learning environment in which you can thrive at your own pace.

You learn through:

• online learning materials
• virtual support resources
• virtual collaboration with other learners
• online feedback
• assessed work

Interactive, self-directed, and peer-supported learning is broken down into manageable chunks to help you maximize access. This also creates a flexible learning experience around your substantive roles – plus specific areas of interest to develop your individual portfolio of learning.

Applied learning

• Live projects: This course will allow you to connect virtually with other distance learners to undertake critical analysis and learning from real-life case studies.
• Networking opportunities: Throughout the program, you’ll liaise virtually with tutors and other learners who share the same passions as you. There are regular opportunities to meet online using a range of accessible technologies – with both lecturers and your cohort colleagues.

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Final year

Compulsory modules

• Mental Health Recovery And Maternal Care: Credits 30, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Perinatal Mental Health And The Family: Credits 30, Assessment: Coursework 100%

Compulsory modules

• Researching For Practice (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%

Elective modules

• Advanced Communication In Supportive Care: Credits 30, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Contemporary Issues In Advancing Practice (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Practical 100%
• Early Intervention In Child, Adolescent And Family Mental Health: Credits 30, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Enhancing Practice In Child, Adolescent And Family Mental Health: Credits 30, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Evaluating Service Improvement (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Health Promotion And Lifestyle Management: Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Interprofessional Education For Quality Enhancement (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Practical 100%
• Leadership In Practice (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Learners In Difficulty (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Learning And Teaching For Practice: Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Loss, Grief And Bereavement: Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Planning Service Improvement (Distance Learning): Credits 15, Assessment: Coursework 100%

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation 60 Credits: Credits 60, Assessment: Coursework 100%

Future careers

When you graduate, you’ll have expanded your critical understanding to support your current or developing role in this rewarding field.

This course prepares you to develop your career in:

• targeted perinatal mental health (PMH) teams
• specialist roles in health and social care
• PMH lead roles within your current registration

Equipment and facilities

On this course, you work with:

• virtual online tools
• discussion forums
• social media film webinars
• text-based resources

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Where will I study?

You study this course online from any location.

Entry requirements

All students

Normally, applicants will hold a first degree or professional qualification which is recognised in the UK in a related health care subject. A first degree in a relevant subject, for example, BSc (Hons) Midwifery.

Other formally certified qualifications

Equivalent, international academic and/or professional qualifications will be accepted. Applicants will be considered on other relevant evidence which may include, for example, documented evidence of recent CPD activity, innovative practice, practice leadership, service development, research projects, and/or publications. Such evidence must be clearly described in any application.

Level of English language capability

Where English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 is required, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and no individual element below 5.5.

Relevant work or work-related experience

Experience of working in a related setting is required.

Please note there may be additional pre-requisites for some modules; please see individual module descriptors.

Applicants will be motivated and prepared to study independently and autonomously. They must be prepared to actively contribute to discussion and debate; critically reflect upon own and others; practice and; explore and evaluate the evidence base underpinning their chosen course of study.

Use of Prior Credit (RPL): prior certificated credit or prior experiential credit may be used within the program in the following ways:

Through the University's recognition of prior learning (RPL) process, it may be possible for applicants to be exempt from some modules of the program.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country-specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £3,540 per year.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course, or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year, then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 279KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.