Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis (COPE) pathway: The University of Manchester

Course description

This course is a pathway within the MSc 'Advanced Practice Interventions for Mental Health' (APIMH). The information here relates to the Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis (COPE) pathway within the MSc APIMH, but is listed under the pathway-specific title. Other pathways are available in PSI for Psychosis (COPE) and Dementia Care.

There is now a very strong evidence base indicating that Psychosocial Interventions (PSI), incorporating Cognitive Behavioural and Family-based approaches, can be extremely effective and beneficial for people with psychosis. This evidence forms the basis of national policy guidelines recommending that such interventions should be offered as standard to all people experiencing a psychotic illness.

The University of Manchester has one of the longest track records in the world for the provision of innovative, high quality education and training in PSI for health and social care practitioners working with people experiencing psychosis and their carers. Many former students of the COPE programme have taken up senior positions at National and Regional level leading strategic developments and making significant contributions to research in this area of practice.

This part-time, multidisciplinary, practice-focused educational programme aims to equip students with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to offer high standard, evidence based interventions to service users and their carers and to act as agents of change contributing to service development and leadership in this area of practice.

The PSI for Psychosis pathway is designed for health and social care staff who work with people with psychosis and their carers and are either currently or potentially in a position to contribute to leadership and development of services for this client group.

The programme involves attendance at the University for one day per week during term-time and the equivalent of one day per week in practice to achieve the practical-skills outcomes associated with some course units in the programme. Students are required to identify a suitable practice supervisor/mentor to oversee and assess the clinical and/or practice work required for the programme and specific pathways.

Course aims

The overall intention of the programme is to enhance access to, and the effectiveness of, mental health and social care services that are evidence-based, multidisciplinary and focused on the needs of service users and their carers.

The programme will equip students with advanced knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their own practice, the practice of others and contribute to innovations and developments in mental health care and service delivery.

Career opportunities

The course is for existing mental health practitioners and aims to equip them with advanced knowledge and skills to enhance their own practice, the practice of others and contribute to innovations and developments in mental health care and services.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: An honours degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent from a recognised institution, an approved and relevant postgraduate qualification (minimum Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent - 120 credits at Masters level), or evidence of previous advanced study, research or professional experience, which the University accepts as qualifying the candidate for entry.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English are required to hold either:

• IELTS at grade 7.0 or above, with a score of 6.0 or above in each component
• TOEFL test with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based)
• GCSE English with grade C or above
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency

Other international entry requirements: Due to funding arrangements and practice requirements, this course is not available to international students.

Professional entry qualification: A recognised health/social care-related professional qualification and/or employment in mental health and/or social care services in a recognised role relevant to the course and pathway.