Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

You will be introduced to the most common psychological disorders, explore contemporary issues with regard to both diagnosis and treatment. You will receive a basic understanding of the causation, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.

Teaching involves a blend of lecture and seminar methods, and you will have the opportunity for small group work, interacting effectively within a team, exploring key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health. For each group of psychological disorders, you will learn about diagnostic criteria, key theories of causation across a range of models (such as biomedical, cognitive and psychological models), and the efficacy of therapies and/or treatments available.

Typically (but this can change from year-to-year) students will explore anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety), mood disorders (e.g., depression), and psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), but coverage of disorders is not limited to these groups. You will also have the opportunity to consider the societal consequences of medicalising mental health and explore contrasting non-mainstream approaches.

Target group

This module will appeal to students who are currently in or are progressing onto psychology, biology and public health.

Course aim

- Demonstrate an understanding of the theories applied to explain the causation, maintenance and treatment of the most common mental health disorders

- Demonstrate an understanding of key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health

- Analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives and/or research evidence

- Interact effectively within a team, giving and receiving information and ideas and modifying responses where appropriate.

Credits info

15 EC
All our modules have been formally approved for 15 Sussex credits; equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3-4 US credits. This means that your study at Sussex over the summer can count towards your degree.

Sussex modules are accepted for transfer credit towards degrees at most colleges and universities. But policies and degree requirements vary, so you should obtain approval for transfer of module credit before you apply.

Please consult with your study abroad advisor before choosing your modules to ensure you are able to transfer any credit you need.

Fee info

GBP 2605: The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2605. If you wish to study for both sessions then you can do so.

This is made up of:

Tuition fees of £1,735 per session include:

- All teaching and assessment for one module of study. Where field trips or course excursions are required then the cost of this is included in the tuition fee, however travel costs may be required
- A minimum of 150 study hours, with a minimum of 40 hours class/teaching contact hours
- Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits
- A transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements).


The accommodation and campus programme fee of £870 per session include:

- Your own bedroom in on-campus East Slope student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities
- Bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow and pillowcase
- Programme of free campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will be provided on Fridays and weekends.

Scholarships

If you are applying from one of our partner institutions, you will be entitled to a reduction in tuition fees. Please contact your study abroad office or summer@sussex.ac.uk for more information.