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Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

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2025 - 2026
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Course summary

This programme is the postgraduate qualification for qualified social workers wishing to practice as mental health officers (MHOs). It has been designed and delivered in partnership with 13 local authorities in the East of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. The programme focuses upon the role of the MHO in relation to relevant Scottish legislation. In addition to the taught elements, students undertake two periods of assessed MHO practice. Under Section 32(2) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, local authorities have a statutory duty to appoint and provide training for MHOs to undertake mandatory responsibilities, enshrined in legislation, currently:

  • the 2003 Act
  • the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
  • the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995
The programme also prepares MHOs to integrate knowledge of other relevant legislation, including:
  • the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
Its primary aim is to provide the Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) in partnership with the East of Scotland MHO Award Partnership. Further information Mental health is a highly contested field and there have been significant recent advances in how it is understood and who gets to define what it actually is. In reflecting these developments, the Mental Health Officer Programme draws on a wide range of perspectives. It benefits from contributions from people with lived experience of mental distress and the psychiatric system, including those who have been made subject to compulsory measures, such as detention in hospital. These provide invaluable insights for students in figuring out what effective mental health officer (MHO) practice might be. These are further complimented by inputs from a range of professionals including MHOs, psychiatrists, psychologists and advocacy workers. This breadth of views and experience encourages students to develop a critical appreciation of the role and also ensures the programme keeps up to date with changes in law, policy and practice.

Modules

See our website for detailed programme information.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.
Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS