Short Courses Content
Stand Alone Module | Nursing
Understanding and Working with People who Self-Harm
LEVEL OF STUDY : 7 - postgraduate level
Module Code:
Self-harm is increasingly prevalent yet often concealed. It can be difficult to understand its underlying causes and how best to provide support. Many individuals describe self-harm as a way of managing overwhelming emotional pain or feelings of numbness. While most do not report suicidal intent, repeated self-harm is associated with an elevated risk of suicide.
| Duration | 1 semester |
| Delivery | Blended |
| Fees from | No Fee |
| Start date | To be confirmed |
This module examines the distinction between self-harm and suicide, and explores the function self-harm may serve in coping with extreme distress. Students will develop the knowledge and skills to respond empathically and effectively to service users who self-harm, alongside strategies to support families through education and skills development.
For provisional timetables, please refer to the section below titled Delivery.
Stand Alone modules give the applicant an opportunity to:
- Return to study
- Update in a new field of practice
- Further develop knowledge and skills in the current area of practice
On successful completion of the module the participant will be awarded CATs points, which may count towards another award. Students may access a number of Stand Alone modules offered within a variety of nursing programmes. The modules may stipulate that participants must be working in a relevant clinical environment.
Please note that courses are subject to a minimum registration, so it may not be possible to run all courses each year.
Fees
| Commissioned Health Trust | No Fee |
| Self Funding / Fee Paying - 2026/27 | £856 |
Tuition fees and other charges are set by the University and are subject to change. | |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery, or Allied Health and Social Care Services. See Selection Criteria for full requirements.
The Programme
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Course Content
This module aims to enable students to develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of self-harm as a complex behavioural, psychological, and social phenomenon. Students will critically evaluate theoretical models, conceptual frameworks, and evidence-based perspectives, while exploring the ethical, attitudinal, and safeguarding dimensions underpinning professional discourse. Emphasis will be placed on fostering advanced analytical, reflective, and theoretical reasoning to enhance understanding of self-harm within contemporary mental health contexts.
Learning outcomes:
- Critically evaluate and synthesise advanced theories of communication and interpersonal engagement within assessment, formulation, planning, implementation, and evaluation frameworks, demonstrating a reflective understanding of their relevance to evidence-informed professional practice.
- Critically analyse and appraise complex theoretical, ethical, and legal dimensions of safeguarding and child protection, synthesising these perspectives to conceptualise person-centred responses to self-harm across individual, familial, and societal contexts.
- Critically examine and evaluate evidence-based therapeutic frameworks and psychometric methodologies, interpreting theoretical and empirical data to understand their implications for the conceptualisation of self-harm and treatment approaches.
- Critically compare and synthesise theoretical and empirical models of self-harm, including the biopsychosocial model, to advance conceptual understanding and inform theoretical perspectives on self-harming behaviour.
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Outcomes
This stand alone module is worth 20 CATs points. Where a clinical skills component is included, there may be a requirement for support and supervision of an experienced practitioner within the student’s clinical area.
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Delivery
Students should note that delivery may be via blended learning, with a mix of online and face to face classes as detailed within the module timetable on Canvas.
Autumn (AUT) teaching commences w/c Monday, 21 September 2026 (Week 1) and finishes w/c Monday, 14 December 2026 unless otherwise advised.
Venue for first class listed below - thereafter, students should check the Weekly Planner facility on QSIS for remaining venues.
First Semester
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Selection Criteria
Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery, or Allied Health and Social Care Services. They shall normally hold a relevant 2.2 Honours degree or above, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Applicants who do not hold a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate evidence of successful study at Level 6 in a healthcare related subject.
Applicants must provide evidence of at least 20 CAT points at Level 3/6. Certificates must clearly state level of study and credit worthiness in order to meet the entry requirements.
In addition, applicants accessing post graduate certificates or standalone modules must be working the relevant clinical area.
International Trained Nurses/Midwives: If you hold an international qualification you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability. This should be obtained prior to submitting your application. You can apply for a statement through the ENIC website: Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk)
Please note that these courses are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.
How to apply
We will advertise again in June 2026 for September 2026 entry.
Please complete the form below if you’d like to join our mailing list and be notified when applications reopen.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST - CPAD PROGRAMMES
For any queries, please email cpadsnam@qub.ac.uk.
Please note that these courses are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.