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Queen's University Belfast

Mental Health

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).

Why Queen's?
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.

Entry requirements

A primary medical degree and full or limited registration with the GMC (London or Dublin). Must be in an F2, STR or Staff Grade (or equivalent) post in Psychiatry (UK) or an SHO, SpR or Staff Grade (or equivalent) post in Psychiatry (Ireland) recognised for postgraduate training in Psychiatry. Please note that the clinical attachment in Psychiatry must overlap with the academic year and semester of the programme of seminars attended.

International Qualifications
For information on international qualification equivalents please select Your Country from the list on our International Students website.

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

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
*taken within the last 2 years

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

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this programme, our partner INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability to entry to this programme.

For additional information, please visit our website.
English for University Study - 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

Less than 1 year
* 4 months full-time (or equivalent) placement in a psychiatric training post to be organised by the student, and attendance at a lecture programme on one afternoon per week during either the Autumn or Spring semester.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
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.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

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
W: www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateTaught

Subjects taught

Programme Content
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

Learning and Teaching
At Queens, 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

Did you know?
There has been a Medical School at Queens University Belfast since 1849!

Assessment method

Assessment is carried out via Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE); plus written examination consisting of 100 multiple choice questions; plus two written 'Long Cases' of patients students have seen during the period of their clinical post.

Application date

Postgraduate Taught
In general, there are no closing dates for the majority of courses (those with closing dates will be highlighted in the Course Finder). However we advise you to apply as early as possible, particularly for those courses where there is a high demand for places. Early application is also important for international applicants to allow sufficient time to obtain a student entry visa.

Postgraduate Research
There is no standard closing date. You should however check both the Universitys website and refer to the relevant School/Institute webpage for information on deadline dates for postgraduate funding applications, as these will also determine when your application for admission should be submitted.