Helen Simmons
Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
level:PG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Distance Learning
Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing (with Infant-Centred Specialism and Family-Centred Specialism) MA
Key Facts
-
Duration
1 year full time
2 - 3 years part time -
Level
Master'sPG MA
-
Starting
September
SEP
-
Full Time: £8,700
Part Time: £1,450.50 per 30 credits -
Distance Learning
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Updated 19/01/2026
Overview
The MA in Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing is designed to meet the growing need for highly skilled and critically reflective professionals in the evolving landscape of support for infants and families. This course aligns with key international and national initiatives such as the Manifesto for Babies and the Best Start for Life, emphasising early, respectful, and individualised support. The course offers two specialisms: Infant-Centred and Family-Centred. These specialisms allow you to develop expertise in your chosen area while engaging in knowledge exchange and continual professional development.
Highlights
- Aligned with the Association of Infant Mental Health (AIMH).
- You can select an Infant Centred Specialism or Family Centred Specialism.
- Available to study 100% online (Distance Learning).
- Taught from a multi-disciplinary and multi-theoretical perspective.
- The course is available full-time and part-time.
Entry Requirements
Applications should:
- Normally hold an undergraduate degree 2:2 and above.
- Be currently or recently employed in a relevant setting.
- Applications with no first degree but with relevant professional qualifications will be considered.
The Admissions Policy for the MA In Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing is in accordance with the University’s Admissions; and Equality and Diversity policies; and seeks to recruit to the course students from diverse educational and social backgrounds who have the ability to benefit from and motivation to complete the course. The course welcomes applications from those with a wide variety of educational qualifications and will consider on merit applicants with no formal qualifications.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
For International Students, we require IETLS 6.5.
What You'll Learn
The program is aligned with the Association of Infant Mental Health (AiMH), providing opportunities for professional growth and alignment with best practices in the field. Students come from diverse professional backgrounds, including nursing, midwifery, social work, health visiting, early childhood, and more.
This diversity fosters strong inter-professional, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative learning, aligned with the Interprofessional Education (IPE) agenda. The course aims to enhance the skills of those already working in the field and attract individuals seeking new roles in emerging areas such as family hubs and mother-and-baby psychiatric units.
The curriculum is delivered by practitioners and academics with expertise in early childhood, midwifery, play therapy, health visiting, attachment, and psychology. This ensures that students receive a comprehensive and well-rounded postgraduate experience, with current research and critical analysis opportunities designed to support the mental health and well-being of infants and families.
The MA in Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing comprises five modules and a dissertation. The dissertation is an original piece of research which may be presented in a choice of formats. You will be supported to share your research in journals, online or at conferences.
There is a range of assignment formats across the modules, with an emphasis on application to practice. Assignments include individual and group work and might involve essays, presentations, videos or portfolios.
You can tailor assignment titles to your personal and professional interests and explore aspects of infant and family mental health and wellbeing that are relevant to your own professional context.
Students examine the latest debates and controversies in mental health and wellbeing and their implications for practice. The contents of this module, by its nature, will vary from year to year depending on the dominant and current discourses at the time. There will be the opportunity for students to consider mental health and wellbeing from a range of professional perspectives.
This module focusses on the complexities of parenting and family life and the support availble through personal and professional communities. Students evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, including multi professional interventions. Key concepts addressed include contemporary perspectives on the notion of the `family¿, cultural perspectives on parenting and ethical support for parental relationships.
This module considers the elements that shape effective leadership and organisational dynamics in diverse contexts. Students examine the challenges and benefits of advocacy, guided by ethical decision-making and professional responsibility. Initiatives for change which drive policy and practice are explored through a range of theoretical perspectives.
This module supports students in formulating research questions, designing and analysing research in line with contemporary research principles across professional contexts. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation, ethical considerations, and project planning. Students will develop transferable and analytical skills enhancing their employability and aligning academic learning with real-world impact.
In this module students critically consider how culture, and past experiences may shape parenting and family dynamics, recognising the diverse influences and contexts of families. The module examines how practitioners can be supported to develop culturally sensitive and meaningful strategies to meet the unique needs of each family.
This module provides students with an opportunity to apply their research skills to complete an original research project under the guidance of a supervisor. Students will develop and implement a research idea to make an original contribution across professional contexts.
This module explores infant development and the meaning of communication in early relationships. From an infant-centred perspective, students examine the role of local, national and global public health messages and neuroscience insights to establish and enhance secure attachment. Ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity underpin infants’ rights and needs throughout the module.
This module provides students with an opportunity to apply their research skills to complete an original research project under the guidance of a supervisor. Students will develop and implement a research idea to make an original contribution across professional contexts.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
Your tuition fees include membership of Association of Infant Mental Health (AiMH) for the duration of the course. This membership includes full access to AIMH resources (including the latest research and reduced prices for events) as well as access to the CPD framework. You will also be able to, if you wish, submit a portfolio of evidence for assessment by AIMH at the end of the infant mental health course. Successful completion and submission of this portfolio allows you to join the Infant Mental Health Register. Registration fees for AIMH apply after the course has been completed.
How will I be taught on the MA in Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing course?
The course is taught entirely online through online discussions, critical debates, taught content material, guest lectures and watching of relevant videographic material.
What is a CPD course and what’s the difference from the non CPD route?
The CPD route is available via the first two modules on the MA – the students are taught together, the only difference being that students undertaking the CPD route do not undertake the assessments.
Are there any special features on this course?
The special features are that it is taught from by a range of professionals from many disciplines. Student enrolled on the programme also come from a range of professional backgrounds. Furthermore AIMH UK confirms that The University of Northampton has utilised the IMHCF (The Infant Mental Health Competency Framework) in the development of the course for students in practice and addresses key domains at the 3 levels of expertise.
What will I learn on this Infant Mental Health CPD course?
Students will learn and be exposed to a wide range of opportunities to develop their understanding of Infant & Family Mental Health and Wellbeing. They have the opportunity to be exposed to the latest cutting-edge, critically considered research relating to the developing brain, as well as the critical factors that influence human growth and development.
Fees and Funding
2026/27 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 26/27 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £8,700
- UK – Part Time: £1,450.50 per 30 credits
There are no additional costs for Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing MA students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.
If you are starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 2025/26 either full-time or part-time* you may be able to apply for a Master’s loan through Student Finance England**.
*Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £8,500
- UK – Part Time: £1,417.50 per 30 credits
Staff
Samantha Weeks
Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
Helen Caldwell
Associate Professor in Education
Emel Thomas
Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)