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Attendance

Location

Start

Duration

1 year

Start

September 2026

Delivery

In-person

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health incorporates Approved Mental Health Professional training and uses an in-depth approach to developing skilled AMHP practitioners.

To study this AMHP course you will likely need to be nominated and funded by your employer to do so.

We deliver standard and bespoke AMHP core training and CPD, blending core professional AMHP training with values-based and evidence-based practice.

This programme is for qualified and professionally registered mental health practitioners, including social workers, mental health and learning disability nurses, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists.

Usually you will be nominated and funded by your local authority, but this course is open to applicants who meet the entry requirements, including practitioners working outside of a local authority too.

Our trainees have said they’ve been ‘keen and motivated to learn’ and the teaching methods, content and style of delivery have led to a ‘shift in thinking’ for them. Our course has been developed in collaboration with regional local authorities.

Why study with us

Our course draws on the expertise of practising AMHPs, academics, researchers, lawyers, service users and carers.
The course reflects the needs of our local employers and stakeholders and is continually shaped in response to feedback.
Build on and refine the skills and values needed to work as an autonomous, competent practitioner.

Important information

You can also study this course online.

Interested?

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What you'll do

You will extend your University teaching into a practice placement in a mental health setting, with a suitably qualified AMHP acting as Practice Educator.
You’ll demonstrate applied knowledge through a practice portfolio.
On successful completion of this award, you could progress to a PGDip or MA award.

Modules

In this module you will critically examine the underlying values, principles and concepts of Mental Health Law. You will use this knowledge to explore practice related issues and critically appraise the legal processes and roles of those operating within the general framework of mental health legislation. You will also gain practical experience of direct work with services users, carers and professionals within a mental health service setting.

Module code: SW4117

You'll develop skills to work in partnership with service users and carers. The module allows you to explore how professional roles and values impact collaborative working when making decisions and planning interventions. You'll learn to recognise, challenge and redress discrimination and inequality in AMHP practice. And understand how collaborative working impacts mental health services and interventions.

Module code: SW4123

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. We may also make changes to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Academic expertise

Jill Hemmington

Senior Lecturer

Entry requirements

You will need to have access to a suitable practice placement with a practice assessor who is a qualified AMHP. You will also need to demonstrate your relevant experience and readiness to undertake AMHP training as part of professional body requirements.

Minimum qualifications:

Employer funded course.- Send manual Funded Offer Letter. Applicants are put forward by their Trusts for this programme. There is a supplementary form which Jill will send applicants to complete with employer details. Once she receives this she'll return a decision to Admissions. Any offer will be conditional on qual evidence. Personal statement is not required.

This course involves working with vulnerable people, including children. To make sure we accept suitable students, you must get a clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, previously called a CRB check.

We will help you with this process after you receive a conditional offer to study at the University of Lancashire.

If your Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is not suitable for the course you applied for, your offer may be taken back. If you have already started the course and your DBS check later shows a criminal conviction, you may have to leave the course. If you know that your DBS check will show a past conviction, please speak to the Course Leader. Some convictions may not stop you from doing the course.

Fees and funding

2025/26

Part-time£1,050 per 20 credits

Online part-time£4,000 per year

International

Online part-time£4,000 per year

2026/27

Fees for 2026/27 have not yet been set. Please keep checking back for any further updates.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Select your country/region

Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Sports scholarships
We offer student athletes support and opportunities for their playing careers whilst they study a high-quality degree.
Find out more about Sports scholarships

Keynote lectures, seminars, tutorials, material for self-directed learning, e-learning and workshops will form part of your University-based learning.

You’ll be required to link formal learning to your practice and will be encouraged to build on existing skills and develop new skills to consolidate your learning across the academic and practice fields.

Skills, values and knowledge will be developed through group discussions, group tutorials, presentations and practice learning opportunities.

The overarching teaching and learning strategy will support independent learning and postgraduate study. You will be supported to demonstrate the knowledge and practice as determined by professional body requirements.

You will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, presentations, case studies, a law test and reflective writing.

The overarching aims of this course include:

To provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to meet section 2 of the Approval Criteria for AMHP training (HCPC 2013).
To enable you to refine the skills and values that are necessary to work as autonomous, competent practitioners and develop critical practice that respects diversity and challenges inequality.
To provide you with a critical awareness of the evidence base for practice and to apply this in your role as an AMHP.
To develop critical decision-making skills that are consistent with the requirements and duties of an AMHP.
To provide opportunities for you to critically reflect on practice that is person-centred, ethical and founded on the underpinning values and principles of the AMHP role.

Interested?

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This course is delivered by the School of Health, Social Work and Sport

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Lancashire on our student contract page

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