In today’s world, there are growing concerns about children and young people’s mental health. Understanding these issues is essential for anyone who wants to make a positive impact. Our MA programme offers an exciting opportunity for you to explore the challenges faced by young people and learn how to support them effectively.
This programme is designed to focus on evidence-based therapeutic and supportive interventions, providing you with the tools to help children and young people navigate their mental health journeys. We believe in the importance of the voice of the child, which means you will engage with research methods specifically aimed at understanding children’s perspectives. This approach ensures that the support provided is tailored to meet their needs.
Throughout the course, you will gain hands-on experience with a variety of interventions. You will learn to address many presenting issues, including various mental health concerns and neurodevelopmental disorders. This comprehensive approach will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to apply in your professional life, whether you choose to work in education, social care, or other related fields.
The programme examines significant issues affecting children and young people’s mental health. Topics such as anxiety, bereavement, childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), ADHD, and attachment disorders will be thoroughly covered. This wide-ranging exploration ensures that you are well-prepared to handle the complexities of mental health in your future career.
Our curriculum includes modules that reflect our specialist expertise, such as ADHD, ACEs, and therapeutic play. These modules aim to provide innovative ways to support children and young people’s mental healthand well-being. You will learn about various interventions, including nature-based play, which integrates outdoor experiences into therapeutic practices. Additionally, you will explore trauma-informed practices and behavioural interventions, which are essential in creating safe and supportive environments for young people.
A significant aspect of this programme is its emphasis on participatory methods. You will engage in collaborative learning, allowing you to work alongside peers and professionals to develop practical solutions. This approach fosters a sense of community and encourages the sharing of ideas, making the learning experience richer and more effective.
Course details
- Full-time
- Blended (On-campus)
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our philosophy of learning and teaching is centred on providing an interactive and supportive environment where you can develop critical thinking and practical skills. We prioritise hands-on experience and collaboration, encouraging you to engage with real-world challenges in children and young people’s mental health.
You will gain foundational knowledge in children and young people’s mental health, exploring key concepts and theories. This includes understanding various mental health conditions and their impact on development. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based therapeutic practices and the importance of participatory methods in supporting young people’s well-being.
As you progress, you will focus on advanced interventions and research methodologies. This phase deepens your understanding of specific mental health issues, such as ADHD and childhood trauma. You will also gain practical skills in therapeutic play and nature-based practices, equipping you to apply these interventions in real-world settings. Collaborative projects will further enhance your learning experience.
For those wanting to extend their skills in research with children and young people, our unique research methods module examines creative methodologies appropriate to research with young people, including participatory methods, the mosaic approach, drawings, and storytelling.
MA, PGCert and PGDip
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
MA
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Whilst we may consider applications from those with a background in a closely related area or on other merits that include experience in a related field, due to the nature of this programme, this would depend upon an assessment of academic writing and appropriate research skills.
2:2 honours degree
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree.
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree.
Admissions Advice and Support
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Assessments are designed to develop wide-ranging employability skills through various innovative and professionally focused assessments. They include professional portfolios, systematic reviews, presentations, promotional campaigns, intervention strategies, research proposals, and traditional essays.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Students for this MA are often professionals working with children (education, health and social care) who would like to develop their knowledge and skills to help provide further support for children and young people in an ever-changing world of complex needs and difficulties. Practitioners can use the carefully chosen modules within this MA to support promotion within their existing employment or act as a springboard into a more specialist role.
Postgraduate study is increasingly required to improve employment prospects and give individuals an edge in a competitive graduate employment market. Successful completion of this course demonstrates that you have developed specialised knowledge and advanced-level skills in analysis and research.