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 placement in a mental health setting, 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 be a trainee doctor in a recognised training scheme in the UK or the Republic of Ireland, ideally in psychiatry or general practice. They should identify a consultant clinical tutor who will provide regular clinical supervision during their placement, and who has agreed to review and sign off their clinical portfolio as detailed in the study guide. This agreement should be in place before enrolling. Please note that the relevant clinical attachment 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).
There has been a Medical School at Queen’s University Belfast since 1849.
Mental Health highlights
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.
Students enrol on a part time basis on this PG Diploma and complete two 60 CAT modules.
Module 1 – Theory – students attend weekly taught sessions on Wednesday afternoon
Module 2 – Practical – students undertake a clinical placement in a mental health setting.
Introduction
In addition to supervised practice, attendance at induction courses, case conferences and placement based clinical activities, 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
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
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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
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
This course is based on a clinical training placement in Psychiatry or General Practice. In addition to supervised practice the student normally have the opportunity to attend an induction course, case conferences and journal clubs.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module successful students will be able to:
Take a full psychiatric history, assess the mental state write a case assessment and consider a range of differential diagoses
Assess a patient’s potential risk to themselves and others (Risk Assessment)
Utilise an empathic interviewing style suitable for disturbed and distressed patients
Explain to patients the nature of their illness, its management and prognosis
Assess family relationships and their impact on psychiatrically ill patients
Discuss with relatives the nature of the illness, its management and prognosis
Demonstrate an empathic understanding of the psychological aspects of patients of all ages and developmental levels
Understand the importance of the development of a therapeutic relationship
Demonstrate sensitivity to the concerns of patients and their families regarding the stigma of mental illness
Appreciate and respect the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in psychiatry
Demonstrate the ability to maintain good working relationships with colleagues
Provide a bio psychosocial formulation and management plan
Skills
Communication, clinical management, teamwork, case formulation and clinical problem-solving skills
This course will delivered on-line in real time and covers the classification and phenomenology of mental illness, the presentation, aetiology and treatment of the major illnesses and description of different methods of management.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module successful students will be able to:
Describe the major classification systems in Psychiatry
Describe the signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness
Describe the prevalence and clinical presentation of common psychiatric conditions
Discuss the biological , psychological and socio-cultural factors which may predispose to, precipitate or maintain psychiatric illness
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the common physical, psychological and social methods of treatment including the indications for their use, the underlying theory of their action and any unwanted effects
Discuss the assessment and management of psychiatric emergencies which occur in a psychiatric or general medical setting
Describe the range of services available for the mentally ill and the roles of the professionals involved in the delivery of these services
Describe the doctor’s duties and the patients’ rights under Mental Health (NI) Order
Skills
Critical thinking, clinical problem-solving, library and IT skills
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
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2025. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
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.
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.
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.
Prizes and Awards
Henry Hutchinson Stewart Medal and Prize
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.