Psychiatry MSc (PGCert PGDip)

  • Overview

    The Psychiatry MSc is run by the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine in collaboration with Brighton and Sussex Medical School, KSS Deanery and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The course at a basic level prepares doctors for papers 1-3 and CASC membership examinations for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and offers wider academic opportunities via a higher qualification. A research dissertation is incorporated into the course with associated supervision.Students are normally expected to be at postgraduate level and currently employed in a psychiatry-related post with demonstrable clinical skills. However, applications will be considered from non-medical staff who have been working for a minimum of two years in a relevant role within mental health and who are able to demonstrate an ability to study at masters level.Modules 4 and 5 are particularly aimed at psychiatrists in training but applicant eligibility can be reviewed on an individual basis.

    Course duration Help

    Part-time: 3 years

  • Course content

    Course structure

    Students studying for the postgraduate diploma and MSc Psychiatry will undertake six modules in years one and two (a total of 120 credits) and in the third year the latter group will undertake a 16,000 word dissertation to obtain the remaining 60 credits required for the award. Those studying for the postgraduate certificate will take three modules (a total of 60 credits). The course is run on a part-time basis for modules 1-5 with teaching taking place for a full day on alternate Thursdays. Module 6 takes place over one full week. A choice of weeks throughout the year is available for this module.

    All teaching takes place at the Sussex Education Centre, Mill View Hospital, Hove with the exception of module 6 which takes place at the Falmer campus.

    Teaching sessions will encompass lectures, group discussion, clinical assessment workshops and exam practice sessions. There will also be opportunities for students to give presentations. Students are encouraged to contribute work-based experience to group work to enhance the relevance of the content. Learning outside the classroom will include recommended scientific, clinical and research reading.

    Areas of study

    The first year of the course covers the principles of psychiatry and their scientific background, incorporating both behavioural and organic science. The second year covers clinical application of these principles and the clinical subspecialties of psychiatry. The research methods module provides the background to the research dissertation year.

    Students will develop the ability to critically appraise a host of clinical and research information relevant to psychiatric practice. The course develops clinical judgement skills and facilitates the integration of research methodology and findings to enhance applied clinical skills, notably accurate diagnosis and management of common psychiatric disorders and the accurate relaying of this knowledge to other health professionals, patients and their families.

    Participants on the course further benefit from shared learning and networking opportunities with other health professionals and long-term career discussions with an academic supervisor.

    The six taught modules of the course closely follow the membership exam syllabus for the Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Professional accreditation is not linked to university accreditation for this course).

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Module 1 Principles of Psychiatry
    Module 2 Behavioural Science and Psychotherapy
    Module 3 Biological Sciences

    Year 2
    Module 4 Subspecialities I
    Module 5 Subspecialities II
    Module 6 Research Methods

  • Entry requirements

    Typical entry requirements Help
    individual offers may vary

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IETLS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Students are normally expected to be at postgraduate level and currently employed in a psychiatry-related post with demonstrable clinical skills.

  • Location

    Location Help Sussex Education Centre, Mill View Hospital, Hove and Falmer campus

  • Career opportunities

    The course provides a strong platform for professional development and enhanced career progression.

    Visit the careers centre website.

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.

    To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.

    Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    MSc (PGCert PGDip) Psychiatry

    Please contact us directly for exact tuition fees for this course.

     

  • Apply online


    You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.

    Entry requirements

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IETLS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.

    Degree and/or experience:
    Students are normally expected to be at postgraduate level and currently employed in a psychiatry-related post with demonstrable clinical skills.