Approved Mental Health Professional, PGCert

This is a tightly structured course where all modules are compulsory. You will be assessed throughout your course via written assignments and a practice portfolio.

To apply for this course you need to be a social worker, nurse, psychologist or occupational therapist and should:

• Be registered with a professional body
• Have at least two years’ post qualifying experience
• Have relevant experience of working with people with mental disorders
• Have the support of your employer and access to appropriate learning opportunities
• Have either a Bachelor or Master’s Degree or, in exceptional circumstances, where this academic requirement is not met, you demonstrate your experience and qualifications equip you undertake postgraduate study. This can be evidenced by, for example, a relevant Post Qualifying Award.
• If you do not hold a degree you may be required to attend an interview

There are four core modules taught between October and April, following two induction days in September. 

During the course you will study over one academic year with an arranged placement to gain practical experience. 

Assessment 

Learning is assessed throughout coursework including written assignments and a practice portfolio. The course has a 50% pass mark for all modules.

Placements 

Your employer will be responsible for arranging your work placement.

If you are a Welsh speaker our dedicated academy, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.
• A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

Since 2011, there has been a 40% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our *TEF data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers in regards to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

Co-Director Margaret Lougher has a wealth of experience in mental health service practice and management in both the public and private sectors. She is still a practising AMHP (and previously an ASW) and has proven experience in teaching and supporting students at Master’s level study.

Her current specialist areas of interest are links between Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) with other relevant legislation, national and local policy and guidance, in particular the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, the Human Rights Act and Mental Capacity Act. The service user experience and developing updated methods to integrate those key messages into service delivery are central to her perspective.

Co-Director Heather Edwards has 17 year’s experience in mental health social work, both as a practitioner and manager.  Prior to that she was a Probation Officer for over 10 years. She has undertaken research for her Master’s degrees, into probation orders with conditions of psychiatric treatment, and the management of regional forensic mental health social work services. 

She is an experienced Practice Assessor for social work students, a role she continues to hold. Her particular areas of interest include mentoring and supporting social work staff and students, and the interface between mental health and criminal justice services.

Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2019/20 are as follows:

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

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 the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

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 the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but are not limited to):

• Parking and travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Printing and binding
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Careers and Employability Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please make initial contact with the Agency Liaison Person from your Local Authority to seek agreement for nominations.

Nominations are typically sought from partnership agencies (LSSAs) in the Spring. The application process is in two stages.

Stage 1. the Swansea University AMHP Programme’s Nomination and Selection Form  must be completed by the candidate and approved by the Agency Liaison Person in the local authority and submitted to Swansea University.

Stage 2. submit an ‘Application for Admission to Postgraduate Studies’.

For further information and application forms contact Deborah Davies on deborah.davies@swansea.ac.uk or +44 (0)1792 295798; Heather Edwards on h.m.edwards@swansea.ac.uk; Margaret Lougher at m.e.lougher@swansea.ac.uk