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Nursing (Mental Health) - NTU in Mansfield BSc (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): B761
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time
  • Campus: NTU at Mansfield
Information for 2024

Introduction:

Mental health nursing is central to the NHS Workforce Plan (2023), and to meeting the health needs of the nation. It is a unique profession providing care to people across the lifespan who are experiencing mental distress, and promoting mental wellbeing for the entire population.

Mental health nurses work in a diverse range of settings including the community, hospitals and the the voluntary sectors. They also work across boundaries to support people they care for with physical comorbidities.

Our teaching is delivered by experienced practitioners with input from patient and carers. By doing this, we help students develop the technical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving and compassion required to provide high-quality mental health care.

Taught at NTU in Mansfield, the core NHS values of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment are embedded in our teaching. Through our flexible curriculum and blended learning approach, you’ll develop the core knowledge, skills and attributes needed for a successful career in nursing – both at home and abroad. You’ll have the chance to complete care-based work placements – putting into practice your theoretical skills.

Taught by a team of experienced healthcare practitioners and with the additional input of service users and carer groups, you’ll learn from the very best on your journey towards becoming a Registered Mental Health Nurse.

We also offer BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult at our Mansfield site.

  • You'll taught by a dynamic team of lecturers who are also qualified nurses. Becoming a nurse is an exciting journey we are privileged to take you on.
  • Our amazing facilities in the Centre for Health and Allied Professions allow you to learn effectively and become part of the NTU Nursing community.
  • Service users and carers are involved in the development of our curriculum and take part in face-to-face sessions.
  • NTU in Mansfield is your alternative route into higher education. We've built this qualification with the local job market in mind. Each of our higher education courses is relevant, hands-on and work-focused.

Course accreditation

  • NMC Logo

What you’ll study

Our facilities allow us to promote learning using traditional, creative and innovative teaching methods. This ensures you will be able to relate to the theory you encounter at University, and apply it to clinical practice while you are on placement.

This course provides you with the opportunity to engage with a wide and diverse curriculum including:

  • a holistic view of a person's psychological and physical needs to support recovery
  • an understanding of person-centred care
  • the Mental Health Act (1983).

Core modules

Introduction to Nursing Practice

This module introduces you to the values and responsibilities of mental health nursing, as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You’ll cover a wide range of key foundational areas – from professional accountability to reflective practice and emotional intelligence. This module is the perfect introduction to your studies in person-centred mental health care.

Integrative Nursing Practice

This module builds on your general healthcare knowledge with learning that’s specific to mental health nursing. You’ll focus on the biological, psychological and social processes that maintain people’s health, as you learn from experts who’ve worked throughout the sector. You’ll also study body systems to help you understand physiology and development. This module gives some valuable context and background to the key role nurses play in alleviating mental health problems. It will help you to understand the various drivers of mental health problems.

Foundations of Applied Nursing Practice

This module helps you develop your therapeutic nursing skills – you’ll continue to work on your own reflective practice as you build your independence and confidence. Through a range of practical sessions and workshops, you’ll learn how to deliver fundamental nursing care, whilst developing your communication skills. This will help you to develop effective therapeutic relationships with people who use mental health services.

Core modules

Evidence in Nursing Practice

To begin your second-year studies, we’ll be exploring research methods and evidence-based practice in greater detail. This will help you to understand how evidence – alongside clinical expertise – drives quality in mental health nursing care and service development. We’ll also be looking at how to build resilience as a nursing professional – one of the field’s most important and valued attributes.

Biopsychosocial Approaches in Nursing Practice

This module explores a number of social and psychological models, helping you to understand a wide range of perspectives on the development of mental distress in different populations. You will also study anatomy, physiology and body systems, as well as the effect of medications on the body. Supported by experienced professionals from across the sector, you’ll examine the impact of mental health conditions on individuals, families and communities.

Applied Nursing Practice in Complex Care

In this module you will take a deeper look at delivering care to individuals with complex needs – as well as their families. To do this, you’ll explore a range of therapeutic skills within the classroom, our simulation environment, and real-world practice settings. Through this, you’ll develop your understanding of the kinds of interventions – such as psychological therapeutic techniques – that can improve service users’ health. You’ll also explore the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health care for people with complex and / or long-term conditions.

Core modules

Innovating and Improving Healthcare Practice

This module looks at the strategies that help mental health nurses to maintain and improve quality in healthcare – including a focus on managing change within the healthcare setting. You’ll also develop your knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice to a deeper level: with the support of our academic team, you’ll undertake an independent written project to generate your own recommendations for healthcare practice education or research. In turn, your work will provide new learning opportunities for your peers and colleagues in mental health nursing.

Leadership in Nursing

The module examines the role and responsibilities of registered mental health nurses as leaders in healthcare, and mangers of interprofessional teams. You’ll examine the key concepts that underpin successful leadership, drawing on the reflective skills you’ve developed throughout the course to develop your own leadership style. This will prepare you effectively for the role of Practice Supervisor, once you are a registered practitioner. You’ll benefit from our “interprofessional” approach, as you learn from – and work directly with – experts across the healthcare sector.

Leading and Managing Applied Nursing Care

This final module consolidates everything you’ve learned throughout the course – combining the hands-on experience you’ve developed on placement to the theoretical and academic skills you’ve acquired in the classroom. With this approach, you’ll be fully prepared to practice as a registered mental health nurse. By completing this module, you should be able to show values-based, evidence-informed decision making within multidisciplinary teams, ahead of your registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

How you’re taught

The BSc Nursing (Mental Health) course is taught by experienced staff used to working with students from a range of backgrounds and with varying levels of skill and experience.

To provide you with a first-class learning experience and to guarantee you have an opportunity to make the most of your time at university, you will receive contact time through a diverse range of delivery methods that include lectures, seminars, clinical skills sessions, workshops, and one-on-one supervision.

Core lectures and seminars

Core lectures are in person and introduce the up-to-date evidence, underpinning policy, theory and guidelines, and expert opinion. Lectures are complimented by small group seminars and clinical skills sessions that provide a safe space to apply this learning to healthcare provision.

Each year you will study 3 modules; 2 short modules and one that is a yearlong module.

Virtual learning environment

You'll use our virtual learning environment NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students and submit coursework electronically. The VLE provides you with the opportunity to further develop knowledge on areas of interest outside a formal learning environment.

Personal tutor groups

You are allocated a personal tutor for the full duration of your course and from the welcome week we meet with you to help you settle into University life and highlighting key activities that are needed for you to be able to progress on the Nursing course (for example DBS and Occupational health clearance which is required for placement). Your personal tutor is your key ‘go to’ person during the course.

Clinical placements

The course is fifty per cent in clinical practice and these placements are organised by our placement team. During your placement you will always have a practice assessor, a registered Nurse, in the clinical area where you are working to help you achieve the necessary elements during your experience.  We use a variety of placements from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, North Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. We offer a placement choice once in the programme, during the third year.

Clinical skills sessions

Learning and practicing your clinical skills in our excellent facilities at the University is a key part of our programme. This allows you to learn safely and then be able to transfer these skills when you are on placement.

Contact hours

The Nursing and Midwifery Council state you need to successfully achieve 2,300 hours of theory and 2,300 hours of practice to be able become a registered practitioner.

Your practice hours are covered by the three placements you have each year.

The theory is a mixture of classroom / clinical skills based with you taking accountability to explore the topics as outlined on the VLE for each module. This will enable you to complete the 2,300 hours of theory which includes passing all of the assessment points in the programme.

How you’re assessed

Year One

  • Written work (total of 4 essays)
  • Exams (total of 2 exams)
  • Poster Presentation (total of 1)
  • Practice Assessment document (this is achieved across the three placements during the year)

Year Two

  • Written work (Research diary, Essay)
  • Exams (total of 2 exams)
  • Presentation (a recorded presentation)
  • Observed Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)
  • Practice Assessment document (this is achieved across the three placements during the year)

Year Three

  • Written work (Dissertation, 2 essays)
  • Exams (1 exams)
  • Microteach (recorded teaching session)
  • Practice Assessment document (this is achieved across the three placements during the year.

Careers and employability

Nurses are part of the multidisciplinary team that provide healthcare across the lifespan. They work in a diverse range of settings to promote health and support individuals to meet their health needs.

Our nursing graduates have secured employment in community and inpatient settings both within the NHS and the private sector.

NTU works closely with local healthcare providers to ensure our students graduate with the skills required by employers and are prepared for a career in nursing.

The NHS have produced some videos that you may find useful to find out more about life as a student nurse, and your future career in nursing:

Our Employability team

Our dedicated Employability team are available to help you alongside your studies. They can give you advice and guidance on everything you need to stand out from the crowd – from voluntary and work experience opportunities to bespoke, specialised support for student nurses. They also help to coordinate our Acceler8 Award which you make decide to take part in to help you to develop a broader range of transferable skills, knowledge and experience.

Campus and facilities

We are continually investing in our facilities and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere. Teaching will take place at the University Hub's £6.5 million University Centre, which opened in 2016 and which is equipped with the latest facilities and state-of-the-art technology. Facilities include:

  • Centre for Health and Allied Professions
  • On-site Café
  • Teaching and Learning Centre
  • Library
  • Social spaces
  • Student support services
  • Dedicated study zones including PC suites.

Entry requirements

What are we looking for?

  • Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
  • Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
  • GCSE English, Maths and a Health or Science related subject at grade C / 4.

Personal statement

You will be expected to detail evidence of transferable skills that may include academic study, voluntary or work experience, and should detail this in your personal statement along with how this makes you a suitable candidate for nurse training.

You should also consider including the following information in your personal statement:

  • Evidence of professional knowledge, attitudes and behaviours
  • Evidence of communication and interpersonal skills
  • Evidence of transferable skills and practice
  • Understanding of the role of a nurse specific to the route that you are applying for i.e. Adult or Mental Health, and current nursing issues
  • Insight into the professional, regulatory and statutory aspects of nursing and current nurse training

Other requirements

You will also need to:

  • be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course. This is the minimum age requirement set by our placement providers. If you will be under 18 at the start of the course, your application may be declined, or you may be offered the opportunity to defer your application until next year
  • undertake an interview with a lecturer, clinical practitioner and service user
  • provide a satisfactory health declaration
  • complete an enhanced-level Disclosure and Barring Service check

Nursing students will be expected to provide evidence of digital literacy skills specific to a variety of digital technologies at the start of the programme. A self-assessment task will provide evidence for support from the programme team and a personal development plan to be used throughout the programme.

Vaccinations

As a healthcare student, you have a duty of care towards patients and other staff, including taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself and others from communicable diseases. We therefore require you to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases if you do not already have immunity to them. Whilst we cannot force you to have a vaccination, the University and our practice partners strongly recommend you do.

Failure to undertake the required immunisations and blood screening may lead to you not being able to be placed in certain clinical areas which may adversely impact your ability to complete the required practice hours and clinical competencies.

Interview dates

Interview dates may be subject to change and will be confirmed to successful applicants when they are invited to interview.

Important information

Nursing courses at NTU have a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry.

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

This course is not suitable for Student visa (tier 4) applicants. Applicants requiring a Student visa (tier 4) should apply for BSc (Hons) Nursing based at our Clifton Campus.

What are we looking for?

  • 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
  • GCSE English, Maths and a Health or Science related subject at grade C / 4.

Personal statement

You will be expected to detail evidence of transferable skills that may include academic study, voluntary or work experience, and should detail this in your personal statement along with how this makes you a suitable candidate for nurse training.

You should also consider including the following information in your personal statement:

  • Evidence of professional knowledge, attitudes and behaviours
  • Evidence of communication and interpersonal skills
  • Evidence of transferable skills and practice
  • Understanding of the role of a nurse specific to the route that you are applying for i.e. Adult or Mental Health, and current nursing issues
  • Insight into the professional, regulatory and statutory aspects of nursing and current nurse training

Other requirements

You will also need to:

  • Undertake an interview with a lecturer, clinical practitioner and service user
  • Provide a satisfactory health declaration
  • Complete an enhanced-level Disclosure and Barring Service check

Nursing students will be expected to provide evidence of digital literacy skills specific to a variety of digital technologies at the start of the programme. A self-assessment task will provide evidence for support from the programme team and a personal development plan to be used throughout the programme.

Vaccinations

As a healthcare student, you have a duty of care towards patients and other staff, including taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself and others from communicable diseases. We therefore require you to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases if you do not already have immunity to them. Whilst we cannot force you to have a vaccination, the University and our practice partners strongly recommend you do.

Failure to undertake the required immunisations and blood screening may lead to you not being able to be placed in certain clinical areas which may adversely impact your ability to complete the required practice hours and clinical competencies.

Interview dates

Interview dates may be subject to change and will be confirmed to successful applicants when they are invited to interview.

Important information

Nursing courses at NTU have a limited number of places available to ensure that you receive a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for the following year’s entry.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

NHS Learning Support Fund

As an NTU student you would be eligible to apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) which offers eligible students additional support while studying for their degree.

The new package includes:

  • training grant of £5,000 per year
  • parental support payment of £2,000 per student per year to help with childcare costs
  • specialist subject payment of £1,000 per year for students on degrees that struggle to recruit, including mental health and learning disability nursing
  • help towards additional travel and accommodation costs to clinical placements over your normal daily travel costs
  • an exceptional hardship fund of up to £3,000 per student per academic year.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course.  If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on telephone +44 (0)115 848 2494.

This course is not suitable for Student visa (tier 4) applicants. Applicants requiring a Student visa (tier 4) should apply for BSc (Hons) Nursing based at our Clifton Campus.

Tuition fees

Mode of studyInternational tuition fee
Full-time£17,150

Please note the fees shown are for 2024 entry.

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

How to apply

If you want to be a registered nurse in Adult or Mental Health, apply by clicking the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

This is your opportunity to sell yourself by telling us who you are today and who you want to be in the future. Write about why you want to be a nurse and why your knowledge, skills and previous experiences are important to this profession. What subjects have you studied that are important to you and to nursing; what work experience have you had that has made an impact on you and may help you in nursing; what hobbies and interest do you have. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side as a student nurse will be very important as you will be studying for 45 weeks of the year, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

Additional costs and funding

The government revised the funding stream for nurse training in 2017 where student nurses would be eligible for student loans toward their education as the bursary system is no longer in place within England. Students will be funded for and provided with NTU’s practice learning placement uniforms although: additional items may incur a cost; and some placement providers may not require uniform but professional clothing that will not be funded.

Assistance with funding, scholarship and financial awards may be available via independent sponsors, please visit:

This course is not suitable for Student visa (tier 4) applicants. Applicants requiring a Student visa (tier 4) should apply for BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) based at our Clifton Campus.

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

Additional costs and funding

The government revised the funding stream for nurse training in 2017 where student nurses would be eligible for student loans toward their education as the bursary system is no longer in place within England. Students will be funded for and provided with NTU’s practice learning placement uniforms although: additional items may incur a cost; and some placement providers may not require uniform but professional clothing that will not be funded.

Assistance with funding, scholarship and financial awards may be available via independent sponsors, please visit: