Mental health is an increasingly important part of everyday conversation, shaping how we live, learn and work. It affects all of us in different ways, and in recent years, growing research has deepened our understanding of how to support and maintain positive mental wellbeing. As awareness continues to rise, so do the opportunities to build a meaningful career in this field.
If you’re considering a future in mental health but aren’t sure where to begin, understanding your options is the first step. At Edge Hill University, we offer a wide range of courses led by experienced specialists in mental health education, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference.
Whether you’re interested in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in educational settings, exploring the theories that underpin mental health, or examining the connection between sport and mental wellbeing, there’s a pathway to suit your ambitions. Read on to discover more about our mental health portfolio.
Find your path
Whether you’re preparing to start university or looking to build on your existing qualifications, we offer a range of courses designed for those who want to make a difference in mental health.
Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
Learn how to support individuals experiencing mental ill-health, from assessment through to recovery, while promoting long-term wellbeing. Gain eligibility for registration with the NMC.
BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing
Explore why children and young people experience mental ill-health. From pre-conception to adulthood, investigate the influences on wellbeing, barriers to treatment, and how mental health develops over time.
BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy
Explore how to use counselling and psychotherapy skills ethically and effectively. You’ll develop confidence and self-awareness, with a focus on helping people reflect on difficult experiences and process painful feelings.
BA (Hons) Education and Mental Health
Blending theory with real-world application, this course examines key topics such as mental health promotion programmes, child and youth mental health, digital technology, sport, neurodiversity, youth and social work, and social and emotional wellbeing.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner: Specialist Adult Mental Health
How should we support adults experiencing severe and enduring mental ill-health? Train as a mental health and wellbeing practitioner and learn how to deliver psychologically informed, low-intensity interventions.
Postgraduate
PGCE Primary Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist with QTS
Become a role model and leader for primary school mental health and wellbeing. Take your specialist knowledge to lead mental health and wellbeing initiatives in schools with recommendation for QTS.
MA Education (Children and Young People’s Mental Health)
This course offers an innovative, applied learning experience shaped in collaboration with industry experts. You’ll engage with research-led teaching informed by the latest developments, covering areas such as mental health promotion, trauma-informed approaches, and suicide prevention.
MSc Sport, Education and Mental Health
Designed for education professionals who want to make a difference, this course explores how sport and wellbeing can enhance life chances across schools, communities and performance settings.
“The main focus of my Masters course is learning the basics of mental health, mental illness, and how sport and physical activity can have both positive and negative impacts on both. I’ve also been learning about inequalities within society and sport, and I’ve found this really interesting and a new perspective for me to consider.”
– Sophie Warden, MA Sport, Education and Mental Health
Learn from experts
At Edge Hill University, you’ll be taught by experienced academics and practitioners who are actively shaping the field of mental health. Our staff bring together expertise across research, clinical practice, education and community engagement, ensuring your learning is both current and grounded in real-world experience.
Studying with us, you’ll benefit from the expertise of staff like Professor Andy Smith, whose work explores the relationship between sport, education and mental health; Claire Cockerill, who brings over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in mental health care; and Nina Smith, whose research into suicide prevention in schools has informed national policy and led to its inclusion within the curriculum. Across our courses, many lecturers have worked directly in mental health services, supporting individuals and communities in a range of settings. This experience shapes how they teach, bringing case studies, lived insight and applied learning into the classroom.
Our research-active staff are also contributing to national and global conversations around mental health, from early intervention and prevention to wellbeing in schools, sport and wider society. This means you’ll be learning from people who are not only experts in their field, but who are helping to shape its future.
Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from this blend of academic knowledge and professional experience, allowing you to develop the confidence, critical thinking and practical skills you’ll need to make a meaningful impact.
Support that understands you
We understand the importance of supporting our students’ mental health from the moment they join us. Studying for a degree can be challenging, and life doesn’t pause while you do it. That’s why our dedicated mental health and wellbeing team is here to offer advice and support throughout your time with us. For many courses, support with mental health and emotional wellbeing is embedded in the curriculum. For example, our Nursing and Midwifery students take part in dedicated Schwartz Rounds that support their processing of heavy emotional moments out on practice – allowing them to acknowledge the difficult moments and build their resilience through shared experiences.
Beyond the classroom
At Edge Hill, we’re proud to have developed strategic partnerships with organisations that allow us to work collaboratively to create real change in mental health.
Our partnership with Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust focuses on mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention in education and the wider community. Together, we are developing initiatives to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing across both healthcare and school settings – looking beyond traditional clinical boundaries to improve both staff resilience and patient outcomes.
In September 2025, Edge Hill University launched the Edge Ahead podcast. Its first series, What’s in your head?, explores mental health through open and honest conversations with guests from sport, media and academia. Featuring voices such as Chris Kirkland, Tony Bellew and James Sutton, the series highlights real experiences of addiction, anxiety, depression and recovery.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, there’s never been a more important time to build a career in mental health. At Edge Hill, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and real-world experience to make a difference – not just in your own future, but in the lives of others.
Explore our courses and find the path that’s right for you.
May 1, 2026
