Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh
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    Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh

    The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Edinburgh
    University Rank:#34
    Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh

    International students can study the Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh at its main campus in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This Certificate degree is available as a Part Time program delivered on campus in English. The program is offered at the university's main campus.

    About Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert

    This programme is the postgraduate qualification for qualified social workers wishing to practice as mental health officers (MHOs). It has been designed and delivered in partnership with 13 local authorities in the East of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh.

    The programme focuses upon the role of the MHO in relation to relevant Scottish legislation. In addition to the taught elements, students undertake two periods of assessed MHO practice.

    Under Section 32(2) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, local authorities have a statutory duty to appoint and provide training for MHOs to undertake mandatory responsibilities, enshrined in legislation, currently:

    • the 2003 Act
    • the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
    • the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995

    The programme also prepares MHOs to integrate knowledge of other relevant legislation, including:

    • the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

    Its primary aim is to provide the Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) in partnership with the East of Scotland MHO Award Partnership.

    Further information

    Mental health is a highly contested field and there have been significant recent advances in how it is understood and who gets to define what it actually is. In reflecting these developments, the Mental Health Officer Programme draws on a wide range of perspectives. It benefits from contributions from people with lived experience of mental distress and the psychiatric system, including those who have been made subject to compulsory measures, such as detention in hospital.

    These provide invaluable insights for students in figuring out what effective mental health officer (MHO) practice might be. These are further complimented by inputs from a range of professionals including MHOs, psychiatrists, psychologists and advocacy workers.

    This breadth of views and experience encourages students to develop a critical appreciation of the role and also ensures the programme keeps up to date with changes in law, policy and practice.

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh

    Entry Requirements

    These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

    A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, or a recognised qualification in social work and at least two years' relevant experience in social work practice.

    If you are a qualified social worker but you do not hold a degree-level qualification, you may ask for special consideration when applying.

    You must be employed, supported, and seconded by one of the 12 employing local authorities within the East of Scotland MHO Partnership catchment area.

    Students from China

    This degree is Band C.

    International qualifications

    Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

    English language requirements

    Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

    English language tests

    We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

    • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
    • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
    • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
    • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
    • PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
    • Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

    Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

    Degrees taught and assessed in English

    We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

    We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

    If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

    Find out more about our language requirements:

    Career Opportunities after Completing Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert

    The programme is unique in that you are employed by your sponsoring local authority, however the Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) confirms the ability to practice as an MHO and thus widens career opportunities with current employers and across the Scottish local authority sector.

    Tuition and Fee Information for Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh

    Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh
    The University of Edinburgh
    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Edinburgh

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