Online study

From the impact of COVID-19, which has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide, to the stigma around mental health and the rising demand for mental health services, the provision of effective and sustainable mental health care presents on-going challenges for mental health professionals around the world.

If you are passionate about making a difference within mental health care and improving access to mental health services, an Online MSc Global Mental Health can help you to take charge of mental health provision around the world.

This multi-disciplinary programme provides graduates with the knowledge and tools to create sustainable strategies that reduce the burden of mental illness, address inequalities and actively lead positive change in mental health treatments.

Delivered by the Institute of Health and Wellbeing, the Online MSc Global Mental Health enables graduates to critically evaluate the role of cultural, social and biological factors in how mental health difficulties are manifested differently across the lifespan and across various cultures and contexts.

What are the benefits of an Online MSc Global Mental Health?

By choosing to study an Online MSc Global Mental Health at the University of Glasgow you will benefit from exposure to leading research, explore cutting edge topics and gain first-hand insights from our multi-disciplinary lecturers and international speakers, some with lived experience of mental health care.

On completion of the programme, graduates will be confident in formulating their own strategies to develop, deliver, improve access to and evaluate interventions for mental health difficulties in a global context.

“At the centre of the Global Mental Health Masters is thinking about how we can reduce the gap in treatment and ensure that people are able to get access to mental health treatment when they need it. These issues are high on the agenda of the United Nations and the World Health Organization” says Dr Julie Langan-Martin, Programme Director of the MSc Global Mental Health at the University of Glasgow.

The programme incorporates multiple disciplines including clinical psychology, social work, sociology, law and psychiatry and is focused on relevant research and policy to enable students to gain an international perspective that can help drive forward positive change.
The Institute of Health and Wellbeing also collaborates with various institutions, the NHS and third sector organisations to ensure students gain real-world insight that they can apply in their own contexts.

Tailor your study with optional pathways

One of the key benefits of the Online MSc Global Mental Health at the University of Glasgow is the extensive range of optional pathways students can choose, which allow them to tailor their studies to their interests and career aspirations.

In the first year all students study three core courses; themes in global mental health, research methods in health and wellbeing and mental health and disability: international law and policy. In the second year, students can select three courses from fifteen options, including mental health promotion across the lifespan, improving access to mental health care in the global context, health technology assessment (HTA) policy and principles, globalisation and public health and qualitative research methods for public health. All students then complete a dissertation in their final year.

The programme is also flexible in terms of time; students can study at their own pace taking from 2.5 - 6 years to complete their studies.

Collaborate with a diverse network of international peers

The students who choose to study an Online MSc Global Mental Health are diverse in age, geography and educational background.

“The individuals on the programme are from a very diverse background and are aspiring to improve access to international mental health services in a number of ways. We’ve got students of different ages from all over the world; some have just finished an undergraduate degree, whereas others have been working for 5 or 10 years and have come back to study” says Dr Langan-Martin.

Whilst many students do have a psychology degree, the programme welcomes students from a range of other fields.

“What I would say to prospective students is that not everyone has a psychology background. We have students from social sciences, anthropology, law, nursing and occupational therapy who can engage with and successfully complete the Masters. If you are passionate about global mental health, this programme could be for you” says Dr Langan-Martin.

Transferable skills for a range of career paths

The programme opens a wide range of careers in mental health and is focused on transferable skills and attributes which students can then take forward to apply to their careers, whether that is a within their existing job role, or whether this takes them to new areas.

With a strong focus on research and research skills, the programme teaches graduates to critically appraise different types of research evidence and publications which investigate relevant aspects of global mental health, allowing students to become familiar with research methodology and gain a wider understanding of global mental health from an international perspective.

“Some graduates go into mental health policy planning; others use their skills to improve mental health services in their local area. Others go on to epidemiological or mental health services research or onto a PhD. We also have graduates that take up advisory roles in non-governmental organisations. I think that's the real strength of this programme; it teaches transferable skills so that you’re not restricted in how you move your career forward” says Dr Langan-Martin.

Interactive online environment

The Online MSc Global Mental Health uses a variety of online interactive educational tools. Our virtual learning environment incorporates videos, audio, group discussions, journal articles, and forums where students can post, comment and interact with both tutors and other students.

The programme also draws on a wide range of international speakers, groups and the experiences of clinicians.

“Case studies are an important part of the programme which highlight the learning outcomes” explains Dr Langan-Martin. “For example, we have one contributor who is a psychiatrist who talks about his experience of working in Sierra Leone. He talks about the international classification systems within global mental health and the stigma of mental health in that area, as well as the laws and policies relevant to Sierra Leone. Case studies like these really bring the programme content to life.”

Assessments based on real-life tasks

The Online MSc Global Mental Health uses multiple types of assessment based on real-life tasks and transferable skills.

“We’ve moved away from traditional essays and exams towards more authentic assessments. These incorporate real-life transferable skills that aim to enhance the graduate attributes that are going to be helpful for students in their future career” says Dr Langan-Martin.

Assessments take the form of discussions, group work, information sheets, presentations, podcasts and posters as well as written assignments. Students are also assessed via a dissertation in their final year, where they can explore a topic that is of interest. Their choice of dissertation topic could include a work project, so they can apply their research directly to their current role.

Dissertation topics are diverse, with recent topics including the impact of the online environment on eating disorders, a qualitative research project on trauma focused CBT for children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and a study of patients with epilepsy and their experience of stigma and depression.

“Dissertations are largely student-led, however a dissertation supervisor is appointed depending on their area of expertise and is there to advise students and ensure that the topic they’ve suggested is suitable and practical” says Dr Langan-Martin.

Why choose the University of Glasgow?

The University of Glasgow has an outstanding global reputation, ranking within the top 100 universities in the world. We are part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and have been awarded as the Times Higher Education (THE) University of The Year 2020, for our work to redress historic links to slavery through a significant programme of reparative justice.

The Institute of Health and Wellbeing, who deliver the Online MSc Global Mental Health, has been awarded an Athena SWAN Gold Award for equality and diversity (2018) and 81% of the University of Glasgow’s research is regarded as internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

If you are committed to driving change within mental health care an Online MSc Global Mental Health can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to tackle current challenges and make a positive difference in a range of contexts.

To find out more, request information by completing the form on our programme page. After filling in your details, member of our admissions team will assist you and answer any questions you may have about the online programme.

Online MSc Global Mental Health

 

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First published: 27 April 2021