University of Edinburgh
Top university
Just Landed
New Today
Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert in Mental Health Practice University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom
Degree Level
Master's
Field of study
Human Rights
Funding
Each successful applicant is sponsored by their employing local authority, which pays all programme fees and relevant expenses. Applicants must secure this sponsorship through an employer selection process before applying. Students remain responsible for accommodation and living costs; the University estimates average postgraduate living costs in Edinburgh at £18,504 per year (£1,542 per month) for 2026–2027. There is no application fee or deposit.
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Edinburgh
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
University of Birmingham
United Kingdom
3 weeks ago
Marie Curie Research Fellow (PhD Funded) at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham Law School , UK. This is a fully funded PhD opening under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks within the international MINARET programme, based at the University of Lund. The advertised project at Birmingham focuses on Constitutional Militarisation, Security and Democratic Reform , with doctoral-level research on military influence on constitutional governance in societies with large Isla...
3 weeks ago
University of Edinburgh
United Kingdom
1 week ago
The University of Edinburgh invites applications to its Law PhD programme at Edinburgh Law School, located in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The programme is designed for independent doctoral research in law, criminology and related socio-legal fields. Students may study full-time for three years or part-time for six years, subject to visa restrictions and programme arrangements. Research culminates in a 100,000-word thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to knowledge and contain...
1 week ago
University of Edinburgh
United Kingdom
1 week ago
The University of Edinburgh offers an LLM by Research in Law through Edinburgh Law School, within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. This postgraduate research programme is designed for students who want to consolidate advanced legal research and writing skills and complete a 30,000-word dissertation under specialist academic supervision. Students may select a dissertation topic from the School’s broad legal and criminological research portfolio, including company and commercia...
1 week ago
University of East Anglia
United Kingdom
1 month ago
Fully funded PhD studentships are available in Social Work at the University of East Anglia (UEA) , Faculty of Social Sciences, in Norwich, United Kingdom . The School of Social Work highlights research strengths in child protection, safeguarding, children and families in adoption, children in care, reunification, social work decision making, supervision, mental health, support for vulnerable families, father engagement/inclusion, young people and crime, and gender/victimisation/offending. This ...
1 month ago
University of Oxford
United Kingdom
1 month ago
DPhil opportunity in Behavioural Science, AI and Health Security at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency . This opportunity is for the 2027 DPhil in Population Health at Oxford Population Health. The project is titled “Ethics and governance of data-driven behavioural science in public health emergencies.” It focuses on how behavioural science is increasingly integrated with digital technologies , artificial intelligence , large-scale data sources, and real...
1 month ago
About this position
The Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert at the University of Edinburgh is designed for qualified and registered social workers who wish to practise as Mental Health Officers (MHOs) in Scotland.
The programme develops critical knowledge of the MHO role and its relationship to Scottish mental health legislation, policy, ethics and professional practice. Students examine mental illness, psychiatric diagnoses, recovery and contemporary developments in mental health law, alongside the statutory frameworks governing MHO responsibilities.
Teaching is structured around the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. The programme also considers the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 and the connections between legislation, adult protection, assessment, care and risk management.
Students complete four courses and two periods of assessed MHO practice over a condensed nine-month academic year. During supervised practice placements, they apply academic learning to real-life situations with support from experienced MHOs.
The learning environment brings together practising MHOs, psychiatrists, psychologists, advocacy workers, people with lived experience of mental distress and carers. These perspectives support critical reflection on ethical and human-rights challenges, compulsory measures, professional responsibilities and collaborative working across roles and organisations.
The programme is delivered by the School of Social and Political Science in partnership with the East of Scotland MHO Award Partnership and 12 local authorities. It is aligned with Scottish Social Services Council standards and prepares graduates to demonstrate competence in specialist MHO practice.
Funding details
Each successful applicant is sponsored by their employing local authority, which pays all programme fees and relevant expenses. Applicants must secure this sponsorship through an employer selection process before applying. Students remain responsible for accommodation and living costs; the University estimates average postgraduate living costs in Edinburgh at £18,504 per year (£1,542 per month) for 2026–2027. There is no application fee or deposit.
What's required
Applicants must hold a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, or a recognised social work qualification and at least two years of relevant social work practice experience. Qualified social workers without a degree-level qualification may request special consideration. Applicants must be employed, supported and seconded by one of the 12 local authorities in the East of Scotland MHO Partnership catchment area and must meet the Scottish Social Services Council Standards Framework for the MHO Award through local-authority nomination. English proficiency is required, normally IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each component, TOEFL-iBT at the stated programme thresholds, C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, Oxford ELLT or Oxford Test of English Advanced; certain English-taught degrees and professional qualifications may also be accepted. Applicants must submit a personal statement, relevant knowledge/training details, one reference and applicable academic, English-language and certified translation documents.
How to apply
Make an initial enquiry to your employing local authority and complete its selection process. If nominated, apply through the University of Edinburgh’s online application system when applications open, usually in October, submitting the required personal statement, training details, reference and supporting documents.
ApplyKite TwinLearns as you applyMake your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
ApplyKite TwinLearns as you applyMake your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.