Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Social Work

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Key facts

School

School of Social and Political Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

This programme is the postgraduate qualification for qualified/registered social workers wishing to practice as mental health officers (MHOs). It has been designed and delivered in partnership with 12 local authorities in the East of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh.

In this programme, you will focus upon the role of the MHO in relation to relevant Scottish legislation. In addition to the taught elements, you will 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 duty to appoint and provide training for MHOs to undertake statutory 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 you with invaluable insights 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
  • advocacy workers

This breadth of views and experience encourages you to develop a critical appreciation of the role. It also ensures the programme keeps up to date with changes in law, policy and practice.

To date, this has been the richest learning experience during my career as a social worker. Not only did the course consolidate prior knowledge and skills within the arena of mental health work, but it provided invaluable learning with regards to the interplay between mental ill health, ethical practice and statutory responsibilities.

A Boni Student - Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) PgCert

Tuition fees

Each successful applicant will be sponsored by their employing local authority who will pay all programme fees and relevant expenses.

In advance of your application to the course, you will have secured this funding via a selection process with your employer.

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, or a recognised qualification in social work and at least two years' relevant experience in social work practice.

If you are a qualified social worker but you do not hold a degree-level qualification, you may ask for special consideration when applying.

You must be employed, supported, and seconded by one of the 12 employing local authorities within the East of Scotland MHO Partnership catchment area.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The programme includes four courses and two periods of assessed MHO practice placements taught full-time over a condensed academic year (nine months).

The programme starts with two days induction in mid-October, followed by the first course which begins in late November.

It provides an introduction to some key issues and current thinking in the field of mental health and encourages you to take a critical look at subjects and concepts including:

  • mental illness
  • psychiatric diagnoses
  • recovery
  • contemporary developments in mental health law

The next three courses follow the structure of the main statutes that frame the MHO role, namely:

  • The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
  • The Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995
  • The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

During the practice placements, supported and supervised by experienced MHOs, you can apply your academic learning to real-life situations.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time part session

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching and learning activities enable students to gain a detailed understanding of this framework and its connection to adult protection legislation.

The programme benefits from inputs from practising MHOs and allied professionals, including:

  • psychiatrists
  • psychologists
  • advocacy workers

A central focus is the important role MHOs play in navigating the ethical and human rights challenges inherent in this work. Contributions from people with experience of mental distress and their carers support this focus.

Learning outcomes

In line with the Scottish Social Services Council’s standards for MHO Awards and in order to successfully complete the programme, you are required to demonstrate relevant extensive critical knowledge and understanding across the four learning areas of:

  • mental well-being and mental disorder
  • powers and duties
  • collaborative working in relation to roles and organisations
  • assessment and management of need, care and risk

You are also required to demonstrate competence in:

  • the appropriate skills to be consolidated and developed
  • the integrated ethical and professional approach required of a registered social worker
  • the specialist professional practice which must be competently demonstrated and assessed

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Career opportunities

The programme is unique in that you are employed by your sponsoring local authority. However the Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer Award) confirms the ability to practice as an MHO and thus widens career opportunities with current employers and across the Scottish local authority sector.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You should make an initial enquiry to the local authority who employs you. The local authority will then undertake its own selection procedure and make nomination to the MHO Award admissions group. Applicants nominated to the programme by their employing local authority will meet the requirements of the SSSC Standards Framework for the MHO Award.

Once the local authority's nomination has been verified, you will be advised to apply through the University's online application system.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Graduate School of Social & Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15A George Square
Central Campus
Edinburgh
EH8 9LD

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 4086

Academic contact

Dr Pearse McCusker

Programme Director

  • School of Social and Political Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

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