Obviously, it is the employer’s responsibility to decide on the local pathway for AMHP preparation and how this will be supported, and some local areas have now got excellent robust pathway / preparation structures in place, which are working well to prepare and support applicants for AMHP training. The selection criteria for a place on AMHP programmes generally is the responsibility for the Social Work England approved University, however we have worked alongside all our partnership agencies to develop and maintain our own admission regulations and we work in partnership with agencies to undertake the selection process.

Admission Regulations

• Applicants must hold a recognised professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or psychology and be currently registered to that profession
• Have completed an appropriate period of suitable mental health work experience (normally 2 years post-registration with a minimum of one year in a community setting where individual responsibility for cases has been held).
• Have observed a minimum of 4 Mental Health Act assessments
• Be nominated and supported by their employing authority
• Be provided with a suitable placement and practice assessor by their employing authority.
• Demonstrate that they possess the level of competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete AMHP training at the required professional and academic level.
• Students must provide evidence of previous study at Masters level 7. This qualification could be in the form of an MA degree award or a postgraduate level 7 award. Previous level 7 study does not need to have been gained through Bournemouth University. 

In addition to the standard application form applicants are required to complete and upload a form containing a manager’s reference, personal statement, and critical reflection on an assessment. A copy of this form can be found on this webpage, under the 'Downloads' section on the right side of the page.

Bournemouth University preparation level 7 courses

Bournemouth University offers the level 7 ‘DPSP’ (Developing Professional Specialist Practice) unit for applicants to demonstrate that they have consolidated their practice and are suitable and ready for advanced practice and AMHP training. It provides an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their own practice, demonstrate their knowledge and skill base in mental health and to focus on the core value requirements and social perspective of mental disorder which are obviously central to AMHP practice. The DPSP unit is recommended to prospective applicants who need to demonstrate their ability to study at level 7, as it assesses at the same academic level as the AMHP programme. 

Bournemouth University also offers the Best Interest Assessor unit the Risk Assessment and Decision-Making unit and the Evidencing Practice Learning unit all of which are level 7 awards that, upon successful completion, would enable applicants to apply for the AMHP programme.

If you have gained awards from another academic institution and you are unclear whether your award would satisfy the academic criteria for the Bournemouth University AMHP programme, please contact our admissions team for guidance. 

For those who are coming from outside of mainstream mental health, the preparation pathway will need additional attention to ensure that these applicants are able to provide the necessary evidence for appropriate suitable mental health experience and more importantly to ensure that they are commencing AMHP training at the same starting point as those from mental health and not disadvantaged.

Consideration to the following areas may also help wider preparation with individuals:

• From their wider practice applicants for AMHP training must be able to demonstrate a focus on those with lived experience of mental distress and a strong value base, including a sensitive approach, the ability to listen to those with lived experience of mental distress and carers and appreciate their feelings and wishes.
• They should be able to demonstrate understanding of the impact of mental disorder on service users / carers.
• They should be able to demonstrate critical understanding and application of a range of models and in particular the social model of mental disorder.
• They should be able to demonstrate a general understanding around mental disorder – signs, symptoms, treatments, professional roles etc.
• They should be able to demonstrate a suitable knowledge base of the legal and policy context for mental health practice.
• They should be able to reflect on practice and critically analyse the key issues that underpin decision-making.

We have found that where a structured pathway is followed that integrates all areas of preparation including pre-course training needs, shadowing, placement experience and DPSP, the students are much better prepared, are more able to demonstrate this at the selection process which draws all the above together and go on to undertake the AMHP training successfully. If you have any comments or questions in relation to this document, please do not hesitate to contact the Programme Support Team on hss-cpdadmi@bournemouth.ac.uk

The selection process consists of application and face to face interview undertaken locally. The interview panel consists of programme tutors, employer representatives and service user and carer contributors. 

The selection process is regularly reviewed at programme management meetings and ensures that the entry criteria for the programme are satisfied and that it is conducted in line with the University admissions (taught programmes) policy and procedure, which includes the dignity, diversity and equal opportunities policy.

Please note – Employers may have any additional selection process that they undertake to confirm applicant suitability for nomination to the programme. Applicants should discuss this directly with their local agency AMHP training lead / agency representative. 

Applicants must discuss with the agency representative any specific contractual arrangements that will apply to them regarding funding and progression throughout the programme, this should include a discussion with the employer about any employment implications should they not complete the programme.

General entry requirements

The normal requirements for embarking upon this course are:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent. Applicants are normally expected to have at least one year of professional or management experience. Applicants for the programme must also meet the professional requirements set out in Schedule 1 of the Mental Health (AMHP) Regulations 2008 and hold a professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or psychology and be currently registered to that profession as laid out in Schedule 1. 

It will also be a course prerequisite that students:

• Have completed relevant masters level study, ideally the DPSP unit or equivalent (as described above).
• Hold a recognised professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or psychology and are registered to that profession
• Demonstrate that they already have the level of professional competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete AMHP training at the PQ Higher Specialist Social Work Award Level
• Have been nominated by their employer, who can provide support and an appropriate placement and practice assessor.

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. Please contact the CPD Programme Support Team for more information:

• Email: hsspostregadmissions@bournemouth.ac.uk

International Entry Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level.

You can also find further details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our study postgraduate entry requirements page.