PGCert Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health

Why study this subject?

Would you like to explore your relationship with your deepest self? Would you like to live in greater harmony with nature? Does living meaningfully matter to you? Are you wanting to give something back or serve something bigger in life? Our PGCert in Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health may be the course for you.

Together we will explore the science, philosophy and ancient wisdom behind some of the biggest questions in life for you to discover your own answers.

This innovative programme involves both a personal journey of discovery and experiential journey of transformation, taking place in a community of like-minded passionate teachers and practitioners linked to the Centre for Positive Psychology, based within the School of Human and Social Sciences.

You will be guided in deepening your knowledge of spirituality through enjoyable and accessible modules that explore theory, develop practice and invite reflection. You will gain support to apply your understanding of spirituality, ecology, and mental health to your own life and career path. 

We encourage you to make a meaningful difference by creating or taking part in projects in your community or in the wider world.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At Buckinghamshire New University you will learn about the psychology, philosophy and wisdom of spirituality and its relationship to Nature and mental health in a supportive community.

At BNU we have some of the best student union opportunities in the UK. We were voted 2^nd in the UK by our students for the quality of our student union. The union gives you opportunities to join sports clubs, volunteer, go on trips and get involved with the university, all for free. There are very little fees compared to other universities and you will be able to feel at home from day one.

We are bringing together a specialist team of lecturers, visiting experts and practitioners linked to our Centre for Positive Psychology with passion and expertise in the area of spirituality, ecology and mental health for this unique course. We have 3 core values for this course:

We will create a safe, supportive and reflective space in which you can learn and grow as a community in dialogue.

We will foster authentic, trusting and respectful relationships so you can succeed in your studies.

We will help you achieve your aspirations for your learning and careers so you can make a positive difference to your life and our world.

What facilities can I use?

The Centre for Positive Psychology at Buckinghamshire New University has an international reputation so this new programme has been designed with a worldwide cohort in mind.

No matter where in the world you are:

You will have access to recommended resources such as books, journals, websites, media, and podcasts, and a monthly programme of live online lectures from visiting experts from around the world. You will have access to recorded lectures, live online seminars and a live hybrid workshop for each module.

As a student at Buckinghamshire New University you will have access to our facilities in person, the main campus is only 35 minutes from London. Hybrid Workshops are often held at one of our professional facilities such as our beautiful Missenden Abbey conference centre in the picturesque town of Great Missenden, which is an idyllic, relaxing, and atmospheric retreat for learning together, should you wish to join these sessions in person.

What will I study?

If you can bring the passion and commitment to the discussions and your studies, we can give you the grounding and skills you need to apply your knowledge in a critically reflective way. We know not everyone will come with an academic background and yet we all come with our unique talents, perspectives and experiences, which adds to the magic of a shared learning journey.

Together, we will explore spirituality, ecology and mental health from perspectives such as transpersonal, humanistic and existential psychology, ecopsychology, parapsychology, counselling and coaching, complementary and alternative medicine and the wider physical and social sciences.

We will explore topics such as the varieties of spiritual experience, the variety of spiritual practices, the science of meaningfulness, wellness & wholeness, the power of belief, intention & attention, the importance of responsibility, ethics & values, ideas of connectedness, sacredness, discernment & resonance, and models of spiritual transformation & growth, to name a few.

We will draw on the latest research to uncover pearls of wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions: the variety of spiritual practices, the relationship of spirituality with nature, the relationship of spirituality with mental health, the different pathways to spiritual development and different spiritual worldviews.

And, we will support you in applying your learning to your life through developing an evidence-based approach to spiritual practice at home and work. You will apply your knowledge and skills to creating or participating in community projects in the module ‘Serving Gaia’, as well undertaking a piece of ‘Dissertation’ research in the form of a literature-based or interview-based or work-based or resource-based or performance-based project.

How will I be taught and assessed?

The teaching approach can be characterised by empowering learning through ‘meaningful activity’, ‘learning by doing’ and ‘learning as research’. To this end, you are at the centre of your learning experience so you get to choose. You will be encouraged to explore the practices and perspectives that resonate with you. In essence, we will invite you to become your own expert in the topics / fields of your choice.

Weekly learning takes place online through recorded lectures, access to resources and live seminars, taking place on weekday evenings. Additionally, there is a hybrid (live online and face-to-face) workshop for each module in Buckinghamshire, UK, that will typically take place on a Saturday or Sunday

Also, there are two hybrid workshops each year that will form an opening and closing ceremony. Finally, there will be a monthly programme of graduates / visiting lecturers / practitioners presenting online.

You will be assessed in a number of ways throughout your studies including reflective accounts, media presentations, written essay, research proposal, ‘how to’ video, blogging and your dissertation.