Postgraduate taught 

Global Mental Health (online) MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

the University of Glasgow from Kelvingrove park

The growing field of mental health needs experts who can create sustainable strategies, address the treatment gap and actively lead positive change in mental health treatment for a global market. At the University of Glasgow, our Global Mental Health programme will prepare you to fill these needs. Online learning at the University of Glasgow allows you to experience the outstanding education we are known for without the need for relocation.

  • Online
  • MSc: 36 months part‑time
  • PgCert: 12 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • Contributors to the Global Mental Health Master’s course come from a diverse range of disciplines including clinical psychology, social work, anthropology, sociology, law and psychiatry.
  • Our programme will prepare you for employment by emphasising the important role that social and cultural factors play in how mental health difficulties can be understood and treated across the globe. This programme is designed to produce passionate graduates who can take charge of mental health service provision at a global level. 
  • Focusing on the impact which social and cultural factors have on the awareness and treatment of mental health service provision, this programme matches goals set by the United Nations and those identified by the Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health which were published in the world-leading science journal Nature (2011)
  • This online programme offers a choice of pathways in health promotion or our general pathway. These options are designed for you to tailor your studies to your unique experiences and provide the skills needed to support career development in this field.

Programme structure

Postgraduate Global Mental Health Certificate

  • Year 1: 1 x 20 credit core courses, 2 x 20 credit optional courses

Postgraduate Global Mental Health Diploma

  • Year 1: 2 x 20 credit core courses and 1 x 20 credit optional course
  • Year 2: 1 x 20 credit core course 2 x 20 credit optional courses

MSc Global Mental Health Degree

  • Year 1: 2 x 20 credit core courses and 1 x 20 credit optional course
  • Year 2: 1 x 20 credit core course 2 x 20 credit optional courses
  • Year 3: 1 x 60 credit dissertation

MSc Global Mental Health Degree with Health Promotion

  • Year 1: 3 x 20 credit core courses
  • Year 2: 2 x 20 credit core courses 1 x 20 credit optional course
  • Year 3: 1 x 60 credit dissertation

Whether you join us in September, January or April, you will take a course immediately available to you.

For example, if beginning in September, take Semester 1 course 'Themes in Global Mental Health'. If beginning in January, take a Semester 2 course, e.g. 'Mental Health Promotion Across the Lifespan'. If beginning in April, take Semester 3/Summer course, e.g. 'Mental Health and Disability: International Law & Policy', or discuss an appropriate alternative with your Adviser of Studies.

With this programme you can choose your own specialist pathway in Health Promotion, or follow our general route, letting you tailor your studies to your unique experiences and career goals. 

Through videos, quizzes, discussion and debate with a diverse, global community of students, you will focus on relevant research literature and policy documents and gain an international perspective.  The University of Glasgow specially adapts programmes to the online format. You will attend interactive lectures, seminars and individual tutorials. You will also build important connections with fellow students by taking part in project and team work.

Our expert staff will assess your progression through each course in a variety of ways. This may include essays, discussions, blogs, online presentations, interactive quizzes, podcasts, assignments or group work . Details of these assignments are found in your induction.

Lessons and assignments are tailored to help students graduate with the skills they’ll need in their careers.   This helps students to learn the soft skills associated with professions and are designed to allow them to obtain their career goals.

Taken on a part-time basis, the duration of this programme is 2.5 to 6 years depending on the credential obtained. 

To discover more about the programme watch our webinar with the programme director or visit our articles section for more information.

For more detailed information on our courses, click the links below.

Core courses

Optional courses

PgDip and MSc only:

MSc only:

MSc in Global Mental Health with specialism in Health Promotion

Core courses

Optional courses

"The best takeaway of the course so far for me is the real examples of mental health services around the world that have helped shape my thinking about how to improve services for the population I am responsible for." 
Erin Harvey, Online Global Mental Health student

Programme outcomes

  • Critically evaluate the roles of cultural, social and biological factors in how mental health difficulties are manifested across the life-span and across cultures.
  • Formulate strategies to develop, deliver, improve access to and evaluate interventions for mental health difficulties in a global context.
  • Critically appraise different types of research evidence and publications which investigate relevant aspects of Global Mental Health.
  • Become familiarised with research methodology and gain a wider understanding of global mental health from an international perspective.

Please note: Some students may find the content of the MSc distressing. Sessions include gender-based violence (domestic abuse, rape) human trafficking, torture and other infringements of human rights (chaining). If you would rather opt out of viewing this content, please let the Programme Director know.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

This programme is designed for career professionals or recent graduates hoping to lead international mental health services. Whether you're looking for a position in government, an international agency or an NGO, we will empower you to forge your own mental health policies, strategies and services.

Graduates of our Global Mental Health programme establish careers in national mental health policy and planning, epidemiological and mental health services research, as well as advisory and advocacy roles in governments, international agencies and non-governmental organisations. Current students work as doctors, dentists, nurses, psychotherapists and managers. To learn more, read our article about where an online MSc in Global Health can take you.

"My academic experience has been rewarding, thought provoking and I enjoy being part of a global community of like-minded students looking for real solutions to real global problems in mental health care.” – Erin Harvey, Online Global Mental Health student

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

MSc

UK / EU / International:

  • £15,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

PgDip

UK / EU / International:

  • £10,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

PgCert

UK / EU / International:

  • £5,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

Fees for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)

  • £11,820 (total cost for MSc)
  • £7,880 (total cost for PgDip)
  • £3,940 (total cost for PgCert)
  • £1,314 per 20 credits

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.  

This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.

For more information visit the SAAS website.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2025/26. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)

The University of Glasgow has a total of 40 Glasgow Excellence Scholarships available to UK students entering any of the University’s Colleges.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a degree with a Psychology, Social Science or Life Science background.

We may also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience in addition to lower qualifications.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • ST Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham.

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

  • 3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge
  • Internet Explorer

Mobile:

  • MobileSafari
  • Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date. 

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

  • Internet Explorer 10 and below
  • Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

  • Processor: 2GHz
  • Operating system (minimum):
    • Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
    • Windows 7
    • Mac OS X v10.4.11+
  • Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
  • Hard disk: 300GB
  • Sound card and microphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

  • iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
  • Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
  • Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
  • Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

  • Microsoft Office 2010
  • Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
  • Webcam

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • An English language certificate/evidence of your English language ability may be required
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, please see our guide How to apply for a postgraduate taught degree.

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

Please ensure all documents are correctly named and are uploaded before you submit your application to prevent any delays with your file.

All documentation must be attached to your online application, but please remember your student recruitment coordinator is here to support you by reviewing it before you upload it, so feel free to send them over to your student recruitment coordinator before you submit your application. 

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible. 
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Online taught masters degrees begin in January, April and September. 
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript. It is important to upload official copies of your transcripts and certificates for your full academic history, from Undergraduate onwards. For example, if you have a bachelors and a masters degree, you must send documents from both degrees. 
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

 

Application deadlines

  • Applications will be accepted up until the programme start date.
Apply now

More information about this programme

Watch our webinars:

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Online postgraduate

Health & Wellbeing

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