Which modules can I study?
There are a number of core, pathway specific and optional modules associated with the BSc (Hons)/BSc Professional Development course pathways, as well as four different exit awards.
Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Professional Development in Mental Health
Enhance your skills in evidence based psychosocial interventions to enable you to work effectively using psychologically informed evidence based practice.Immersive learning
Increase your theoretical knowledge as well as enhancing the engagement and intervention skills you need to support service users in their recovery journey.
Practical experience
Enhance your skills in evidence based psychosocial interventions to bridge the gap between formal psychological therapy and mental health work in general.
Shape future healthcare
Choose optional modules that align with your specific work role and support your development as a critical and reflective practitioner. Build a broad set of transferable skills, and contribute effectively to improving services.
About
You will develop theoretical knowledge alongside the enhanced engagement and intervention skills you need to support service users in their recovery journey. Develop confidence, competence and emotional resilience to consistently exercise personal responsibility and professional accountability for decision making and the provision of high-quality safe care.
This course is for you if...
you want to explore a range of practice approaches to effectively engage with individuals experiencing complex mental health challenges
you want to underpin your interventions with the best available evidence, contemporary knowledge and high-level clinical decision-making skills
you're looking to become a critical and reflective practitioner, equipped with a broad set of transferable skills to actively contribute to improving and enhancing services
you value a flexibly designed programme enabling you to ‘step on and step off’ over a five-year period in response to service need and professional circumstances
Details
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
HEAD351 – CBT interventions for mental health professionals (psychosis)
HEAD353 – Working with People with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder
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.
Experience
Previous experience
If you have previously obtained a health related honours degree at 2:2 or above, you are eligible to access this programme via the graduate certificate/diploma route:
Graduate Certificate Professional Development in Mental Health - 60 credits at degree level
Graduate Diploma Professional Development in Mental Health - 120 credits at degree level
Students seeking to achieve either qualification will be required to achieve the specified number of credits by choosing from a range of pathway specific modules. Please contact the Professional Development Unit at PDUAdmissions@plymouth.ac.uk for further information.
Meet your lecturers
Mr Francis Thompson
Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing (Education)
Mr Jonathan Perry
Associate Lecturer
Dr Sarah Howes
Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing (Education)
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Opportunities for postgraduate study in mental health
Our MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Mental Health is a clinically-focused specialist programme that will equip you with enhanced mental health assessment and intervention skills.
With your new knowledge, you’ll be able to effectively support people who are suffering from mental health problems in their recovery journey.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for part-time UK students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Part-time study
The fee for this programme is dependant on the modules undertaken. Please see the relevant module webpages for further information.
Tuition fee price changes
On Monday 20 October 2025, the UK Government announced its intention to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students in line with inflation from 2026 onwards.
Along with other universities in the UK, the University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee. Whilst the exact details have not currently been announced, it is expected that the increase will be in the region of £400, increasing the annual tuition fee to £9,935 for 2026, which will then be subject to automatic inflationary increases thereafter. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to further Government guidance and legislation.
The University will give further details to both prospective and current students as soon as the Government has issued further information.. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Apply
Entry 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 will also need to be working in an environment in which end of life care needs are delivered.
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 as well as working in an environment in which end of life care needs are delivered.
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.
RPL:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
Extended entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
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.
Applying
Please use the Apply button bellow and return the form to:
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.
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: additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability.
Institution code
NA
NA
Duration
5 years
Course type
Part-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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