Mental Health and Wellbeing: NQ (Level 5)

A woman in a green polka-dot dress with a colorful embroidered vest wears a VR headset and holds controllers while engaging in a virtual training session, surrounded by other students.

Qualification

Study Mode

Full Time

Duration

1 Year - 2.5 Days p/w

Start date

Aug 2026

Campus

Springburn

Applications open January 2026

Course overview

Explore how mental health affects us all — and build the understanding and confidence to support others.

This nationally recognised qualification gives you a broad introduction to mental health, wellbeing, and care practice. It’s ideal for those who want to learn more about how to maintain positive mental health, support others, and understand the wider factors that influence wellbeing in society.

You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers who have worked across a range of health and social care settings — including mental health, counselling, and forensics — bringing real insight and professional experience into classroom discussions.

This course offers a supportive and engaging route into further study or a career in health, care, or social sciences.

This course is ideal for:

Learners interested in mental health, wellbeing, and social care.
Those who want to understand people, emotions, and resilience.
Students thinking about careers in healthcare, counselling, or psychology.
Adult returners with life experience looking to re-enter education.

What you will learn

You’ll study a range of units that explore mental health, wellbeing, and care in depth, including:

Understanding Mental Health Issues – examining how mental illness is experienced and supported.
Influences on Mental Health and Wellbeing – exploring social, biological, and environmental factors.
Coping Strategies and Building Resilience – developing practical ways to improve emotional wellbeing.
Care: Values and Principles – understanding person-centred approaches to care and respect for others.
Prevention of Infection – learning safe practice in care environments.
Care Essentials and Best Practice – applying core skills for working in care and support settings.
Understanding Loss and Grief – recognising emotional responses to change and bereavement.
Healthy Eating and Lifestyle – exploring nutrition and wellbeing.
Communication and Counselling Skills – improving how you listen, respond, and support others.
Numeracy for Care – building confidence in everyday maths used in care work.
Care: Human Behaviour and Social Influences – understanding how people think, act, and relate to others.

The course combines practical learning, class discussions, and reflective activities that help you understand both theory and real-life care situations.

Entry requirements

✅ Three National 4 qualifications at grade C or above OR

✅ Successful completion of Senior Phase Mental Health and Criminology OR

✅ NQ Level 4 Mental Health and Criminology OR

✅ Consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant life experience.

All applicants are assessed based on their application, personal statement, and performance at interview.

ℹ️ You must be 16 years or older at the start of the course.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

you need to have SQA ESOL National 5 (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)

If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.

Applicants will be offered a place on the course, based on their application, personal statement and performance at interview

Career Opportunities

This qualification can support progression into roles such as:

💡 Support Worker

🧠 Mental Health Assistant

🤝 Community Support Assistant

🌿 Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

🩺 Care Assistant or Practitioner

It also strengthens your understanding of mental health for careers across education, social work, and community settings.

Future prospects

After completing this course, you may progress to:

NC Health and Social Care (Level 6) at Glasgow Kelvin College.
Further study in Social Sciences or Psychology-related subjects.
Longer-term progression to HNC Care and Administrative Practice, or relevant university degrees.

You may also choose to enter employment in the care sector, supporting individuals and communities in a range of health and wellbeing roles.