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Queen's University Belfast

Mental Health

Overview
This Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health is designed for doctors in training who are preparing for a career in Psychiatry, General Practice or General Medicine and is suitable for Trainee Psychiatrists preparing for College examinations. In conjunction with a clinical post in psychiatry, this programme enables students to gain a good understanding of the major psychiatric disorders, approaches to treatment and psychopharmacology.

Clinical training forms a major component of the programme, and each student should have a Clinical Tutor at their base Hospital. Regular clinical supervision should be provided by Consultants and the Tutor should ensure that training is provided in Interviewing Skills and Psychiatric Assessment. Please note that the clinical attachment in Psychiatry must overlap with the academic year of the programme of seminars attended.

This programme runs twice a year in both Semester 1 (Autumn) and Semester 2 (Spring).

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
A primary medical degree and full or limited registration with the GMC (London or Dublin).

Applicants must hold one of the following suitable positions and be undertaking a rotation/employment in a mental health setting:

- GPST1 (General Practitioner Specialist Training year 1)
- FY2 - Foundation Year 2
- CT1 - Consultant Trainee Year 1
- CT2 - Consultant Trainee Year 2
- LAT1 (Locum Appointed for Training year 1)
- Staff Grade or equivalent
- acceptable equivalent ROI Post

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year full-time.

This programme runs twice a year in both Semester 1 (Autumn) and Semester 2 (Spring).

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
This PG Diploma aims to provide students with advanced skills, knowledge and understanding in the area of mental health, which can also enhance their career opportunities in Psychiatry, General Practice and General Medicine.

Further enquiries

Postgraduate and Professional Development Office
Health Sciences Building
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
T: +44 (0)28 9097 2615
E: pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Course Structure
Introduction
In addition to supervised practice, attendance at an induction course, case conferences and journal clubs at the base hospital, students must attend a formal teaching course involving seminars which cover the following topics:

Current Models of Mental Disorder
The Major Categories of Mental Illness
Physical Methods of Treatment
Psychological Therapies

Comment

Mental Health highlights
There has been a Medical School at Queen's University Belfast since 1849!

Career Development
•The School, through its Postgraduate and Professional Development Office, is committed to equipping postgraduate students with the tools needed to maximise their personal and professional development through high-quality teaching in an excellent learning environment. All courses are designed to be professionally relevant and help develop both discipline-specific and more general transferable skills, promoting attitudes of lifelong learning and increasing graduate employability.

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
At Queen's, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On this course we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Classes are in the afternoon only through a combination of course lectures, practical experiences and self-directed study to enhance employability.

Assessment method

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
1. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
2. A written MCQ examination
3. Two written 'Long Cases' of patients students have seen during the period of their clinical placement.

Written examination consisting of 100 multiple choice questions

Two written 'Long Cases' of patients students have seen during the period of their clinical post