Study mindfulness online with expert practitioners and mindfulness researchers.
Explore the fascinating theory, science and philosophy behind mindfulness.
- Try a variety of mindfulness techniques and investigate the claims, evidence for, and effectiveness of each.
- Find out how to apply mindfulness in your workplace, whatever your sector.
- Blend the academic study of mindfulness with experiential learning.
If you’re an existing mindfulness practitioner, you’ll develop the advanced knowledge and qualities for professional excellence in this field.
If you’re a teacher, you might be interested in our online Mindfulness in the Classroom course.
Study anytime
This is an always-on mindfulness course, so you can start anytime. You have six months to complete the course part-time, at your own pace. Learning materials are available 24/7, so you can study whenever it suits you.
Why study mindfulness online with the University of Aberdeen?
Earn credits towards a Masters in mindfulness
You can use this course to earn credits towards our MSc Studies in Mindfulness.
Mindfulness pioneers
Join the first university in Scotland to offer postgraduate study in mindfulness.
An always-on course
Available 24/7. Study when it suits. Complete anytime within six months.
Earn postgraduate qualifications in mindfulness
You can choose between a credit-bearing version of this course with assessments, and a zero-credit version without assessments.
If you successfully pass the credit-bearing version of the course, you could use the credits you earn towards:
- MSc Studies in Mindfulness, or
- Mindfulness Professional Recognition, a qualification recognised by the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS).
What you’ll study
You’ll work through the following six modules. They blend academic and experiential learning.
- Mindfulness: emergence and context
- Science of the mind
- Embodied mindfulness
- Kindness, compassion and gratitude
- Mindfulness of emotions
- Awareness and insight.
You’ll explore the definitions of mindfulness and debates around it. You’ll look at evidence of its application, potential and efficacy in different settings.
You’ll develop skills to understand academic literature so you can study claims and evidence in more depth.
As well as studying mindfulness, you’ll also practice it. You’ll learn a range of mindfulness techniques. Experiencing these first-hand, you’ll reflect on their personal and professional impact.
With your tutors’ help, you’ll learn to apply mindfulness to a variety of professional and life settings.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…
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Explore the definitions, science and impact of mindfulness.
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Recognise the potential role and applications of mindfulness in managing your mind and mental wellness.
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Perform and reflect upon a range of mindfulness practices.
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Describe the role of mindfulness in emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
How you’ll study
Online learning
Our distance-learning Discovering Mindfulness course is delivered 100% online. You can study with us anywhere in the world and set your own study hours.
The course is delivered at Masters level.
Your teaching
Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- videos
- podcasts
- tutorials via PowerPoint with audio
- reading materials
- discussion boards with classmates and tutors
- audio-based practices
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
University staff will guide you through six course modules with recordings of lectures and guided practices. You can engage with these at your own pace. At the end of each module, you’ll undergo a small assessment that then unlocks the next module.
Study hours
As this is an always-on course, you can study as and when it’s convenient for you. You’re completely free to set your own study hours once you’ve enrolled. You’ll have up to six months to complete the course.
We expect you to spend around 150 hours on the course. As a guide, that’s around 10 – 15 hours per week over 12 weeks. But you’re free to set your own pace and choose your own hours.
This course is assessed entirely online.
If you choose the ‘learning only’ option, you will not be formally assessed.
If you choose the ‘learning and assessment’ option, at the end of your course you’ll complete:
- a 1500-word essay
- a 15-minute online presentation.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your course coordinator throughout your course. This could be by email, MyAberdeen, online call, or phone. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Colette Savage
Colette has over 20 years’ experience in mindfulness, delivering mindfulness employee training and retreats to a diverse range of companies, as well as CPD for teachers.
View Colette’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
If you choose the ‘learning and assessment’ option, you’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) on successful completion. You can use these credits towards further online learning, including:
- Mindfulness Professional Recognition – a 30-credit online course awarding professional recognition from the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS)
- MSc Studies in Mindfulness – a Masters degree in mindfulness that you can study fully online.
Careers
On this online mindfulness course, you’ll gain experience of studying mindfulness at university level.
The course will help you develop the advanced knowledge and qualities you need for professional excellence in this field, whether you’re an existing or aspiring mindfulness practitioner.
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Professional recognition in mindfulness for teachers
If you’re a teacher and complete the credit-bearing version of this course, you can use it towards professional recognition in Mindfulness with the General Teaching Council. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
For me, mindfulness has been a path to greater joy, balance and resilience.
Colette Savage, course coordinator.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening, reading and speaking
- 105 for writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Annual fee increases
Fees for this course will rise a little at the start of each academic year, on 1 August. This increase is typically 5%.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or
- relevant experience that supports this level of study.
Apply for this course
