Join us online for our PGCert in Trauma information events. These will cover this course in detail, as well as the PGCert in Psychological Trauma. They're specifically designed to help you find out more, give you the chance to meet academics, and have your questions answered.
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Join our online information event to find out more about our part-time Childhood, Education, and Professional Development (CEPD) postgraduate courses.
Our Mental Health, Trauma and Attachment course looks at the root causes behind the behaviours that we see. It outlines theory, investigates causality, and looks at trauma, attachment, and mental health in scrutinous detail. It asks the question “what really sits behind the actions of this individual,” and it teaches us how, as professionals, we can support the people who are affected. It's a course designed for those who have not only wondered “Why?” but have found themselves asking “How could I help?”.
Sitting within Chester's School of Education, the course investigates the impact of adversity, trauma, attachment and mental health difficulties and will not only highlight your role in mitigating this impact but will also equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver support across all of the children, young people, and adult sectors. It is delivered by experienced Childhood, Education and Professional Development (CEPD) academics who have a range of educational backgrounds, and who are still firmly embedded within this rapidly evolving field.
All three of your modules will utilise theory to support your critical understanding of key research and current debates within society, and you will have regular opportunities to reflect on your professional practice and experiences. You will explore the role attachment has in developing a child's inner working model of themselves and how this influences their view of the world (including the relationships they have with others across their lifespan). You will discuss how traumatic experiences can affect brain development and consider how this may impact a person’s ability to learn. You will investigate how mental health and behaviour are impacted by attachment difficulties and traumatic experiences. And you will discover attachment-aware, trauma-informed practices, learning how they can be used to nurture positive relationships and safe, inclusive environments. Across all three modules, you will consider how these practices enable the development of resiliency skills to maximise the potential for positive outcomes.
This on year course consists of three 20-credit modules. There are two entry points: September and January. Core themes are explored, enabling contextualisation for students.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.
You will participate in interactive lectures, which you can attend either on campus or online, allowing you flexibility in how you engage with core content and key theories. Small group tutorials and seminars will allow for in-depth discussion, critical thinking, and collaborative learning, where you can apply concepts and share insights with peers. Throughout the module, you will also engage in reflective practice, encouraging you to critically evaluate your own learning and experiences to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Additionally, guided independent study, online resources, and personalised feedback sessions will support your individual learning needs, helping you build confidence and mastery over the material.
You will be assessed through coursework, which will allow you to demonstrate your understanding and application of module concepts in practical situations. Assessments are designed to be authentic with an emphasis on practical application, enabling you to directly apply your learning to your current or future professional role.
2:2honours degree
Applicants should normally hold a Bachelor's degree, 2:2 or higher, in an area broadly related to Education / Mental Health, trauma or attachment.
Those with a degree in a different area or non-traditional qualifications but with experience of working in a setting with children, young people or adults with mental health, trauma and attachment difficulties will also be considered.
£2,925for the full course (2025/26)
Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2025/26 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.
Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.
The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.
Students who have previously undertaken this course come from a wide range of backgrounds including education staff from early years to higher education, health care professionals, foster carers, professionals from the criminal justice system including police officers and youth offending teams. Additionally, some students chose this course to further their own personal understanding.
Others have secured leadership roles following completion of the PGCert.
A growing number of our students go on to complete a full Master's degree. The most common progression is the MA SEND or MA Education with research often in the field of mental health, trauma and attachment.
Some of our students are also able to APEL credits from other professional qualifications, or level 7 courses, into the MAs.
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.