This MSc provides an advanced understanding of how socio-cultural factors shape mental health, mental illness, and mental health care. With a particular focus on the role of culture in diagnosis and treatment, you’ll explore how cultural contexts influence the experience and expression of distress, as well as the delivery of psychological and psychiatric interventions. Through examining innovative models of cross-cultural care, you’ll develop the skills to critically apply theory to practice, enhancing your ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

What you'll study

This programme is designed to deepen your understanding of how socio-cultural factors influence mental health, mental illness, and the organisation and delivery of mental health care. It will equip you to work in research or mental health care related roles within multicultural settings in the UK and internationally as well as provide a strong foundation for further training as a therapist, social worker, or clinical psychologist.

You will explore how cultural elements - such as belief systems, values, ethnicity, practices, and traditions - affect both mental health vulnerability and resilience. The programme also considers how wider phenomena such as migration, racism, and structural inequalities intersect to shape mental health experiences, and how these can be addressed in clinical practice and mental health systems. This includes consideration of the implementation of innovative therapeutic approaches and the adaptation of existing psychological models and care pathways to better meet diverse needs.

You will also develop your research skills and complete an independent research project on a topic related to culture and mental health.