The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties
PGDip
Key facts
Start dates
September 2022 / September 2023
Location
Course length
Part time: 24 months
Department
Accreditation(s)
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Association (SEBDA)
Overview
On this course, you'll enhance your understanding, skills and expertise in relation to children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).
You'll have opportunities to conduct constructive and critical reflection on a range of practical, theoretical and research issues. You will relate SEMH theory to your own professional context and consider the impact on your practice.
You'll learn from experienced practitioners in the field of SEMH. You'll receive expert tuition and support to build your skills and to succeed on the course. You'll also network online with students working in a wide range of settings.
The course is delivered in partnership with the charity SEBDA*. Its flexible structure helps you study while you are working.
*SEBDA is committed to improving provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and supporting the professionals who work with them.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Students must normally hold a degree qualification at 2.2 or above and must be working in a relevant setting where they will be working with children and/or young people with SEMH difficulties as part of their practice.
Students who do not hold a 2.2 degree may be accepted on the course following an assessment of prior experiential learning.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Tuition fees
Please see the fees note
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
2022 / 23
Home (UK) distance learning
£970 per single module
International / EU distance learning
£970 per single module
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Being a member of SEBDA will give you £100 cashback on your course fees.
Financial support and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
The content of this course is challenging, interactive and focused on the practicalities of effective support for children and young people with SEMH needs.
You will carry out critical reviews of approaches, policy and guidance on SEMH difficulties. You'll look at emotional development and instances that can impact on socio-emotional development. You will also look at mental health issues and the therapies to alleviate them.
In your first year you will engage with psychological understandings of SEMH. You will also look at current legislation, SEMH assessment, practical interventions and neuroscientific research. You will consider how the ‘social model’ of understanding of SEMH contrasts with the ‘medical model’.
In your second year you'll undertake a critical exploration of theory and practice around:
- trauma
- anger management
- self-harm
- eating disorders
- bereavement
- anxiety
- depression
- emotional development
- attachment theory
- autistic spectrum conditions.
You'll also consider the ecology of SEMH difficulties and complete a module on research methods.
Study modules
You will study one module per semester.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
You will study the course online over 2 years part time.
You'll receive:
- a comprehensive induction programme
- two and a half virtual study days per year
- a minimum of 2 small group or individual tutorials per semester
- support from tutors who are experienced practitioners in the field of SEMH.
- fortnightly structured units of study which include:
- guided independent study tasks
- audio and video presentations
- interactive activities
- collaborative working via online discussions
- critical reflection.
The course will mostly be delivered asynchronously. This means that you can access the course irrespective of your personal responsibilities, work commitments, learning preferences or geographical time zone.
Synchronous activities are arranged at times agreed by the students involved or recorded and posted online.
At the end of the first year you may choose to exit the course with the award of Postgraduate Certificate: Social Emotional Mental Health Difficulties (60 credits).
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Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Your assessment for the Research Methods and SEMH module, will be a report on the focus group research activity you will have undertaken with adults during the module.
Your assessment for all other modules will include:
- A written summative assignment
- contributions to online discussions with your peers throughout the module
- contributions to your personal reflective journal throughout the module
- summaries of your reflective journal and an online discussion.
Research
The School of Education is a thriving centre for educational research and teacher professional development.
We hold two major research conferences each year - the School of Education Research Conference and the EdD Colloquium. All students are invited to attend our annual Research
Seminar Series (which attracts both internal and external speakers).
The School’s six research groups exist to encourage engagement in research, publication, conference presentations, seminars and workshops:
- Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Policy, Partnership and Leadership
- STEAM pedagogy and learning
- Humanistic Perspectives on Education
- Early Years
- Applied Linguistics
View all staff profiles for School of Education
SEBDA publishes the research journal ‘Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties’ on a quarterly basis. You have access via the Brookes library services. SEBDA is also engaged with national campaigns around social, emotional and mental health.
After you graduate
Career prospects
By completing this course, you've demonstrated a professional interest and commitment to this important area of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). You’ve gained a qualification that builds your expertise and professional knowledge. It supports your career progression in the field of SEND. And it may also open up new opportunities for you to explore.
Below are graduate examples of career advancement in the field of SEND:
- Support staff participating in strategic development groups
- Promotion of mainstream staff to SEMH roles within mainstream
- Mainstream staff securing posts in specialist provision
- Promotion of course graduates to headships of specialist provisions
- Graduates have secured roles in advisory services or gained promotion to advisory services.
Further study
On successful completion of this PG Diploma in SEMH Difficulties, you can apply to join the MA Education with Oxford Brookes. You’ll have 120 credits from the PG Diploma in SEMH and will need to complete a Dissertation (60 credits) in one year, to gain an MA Education qualification.
The MA Education at Oxford Brookes has specialist pathways; giving you a qualification that will further your career as an education specialist.
‘After studying the SEBDA courses it seemed like a natural step to follow and complete my dissertation for the MA. I did an investigation into the SEND code of practice for professionals and for provision for young people with SEND in the FE sector - it was a really good decision - it was a seamless transition. It was great to get an MA qualification while working.’
Mary Campbell, MA Education Graduate
Related courses
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.