Nursing (Mental Health) - Clifton Campus BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): B760
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: 3 years
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment: these core NHS values are embedded in our teaching. The World Health Organisation has declared 2020 as “Year of the Nurse”, recognising the huge part they play in day-to-day healthcare. It’s an important and deeply rewarding role.
Through our flexible curriculum and blended learning approach – building up your theoretical knowledge of mental health care strategies, and then putting it into practice on placement with service users and providers – you’ll develop your holistic, therapeutic and decision-making skills in line with the demands of modern nursing. Taught by experienced practitioners – and with the additional input of service users and carer groups – you’ll learn from the very best on your journey towards accreditation as a Registered Mental Health Nurse.
We also offer:
What you’ll study
Our course gives you a robust knowledge of mental health nursing practice – as well as the wider sector – both in and outside of the classroom. It’s the perfect combination of theory and practice, allied to great facilities, modules built around the latest research, and teachers who’ve worked for years in professional healthcare. You’ll develop your nursing knowledge based around:
- A holistic view of a person’s’ psychological and physical needs to support recovery
- The chance to refine and apply your therapeutic skills
- A practice-learning environment, with simulated exercises and activities
- Placements in a variety of healthcare settings
- Some fantastic opportunities for career development.
Our nursing degree isn’t just distinguished by the amount of time you’ll spend on placement – it’s how early those placements opportunities arrive on your course. From the outset, we’ll ensure you’re in hands-on, practice-based environments, supporting local healthcare providers and putting your theoretical skills to the test. Alongside the “interprofessional” nature of our teaching – which connects you with experts from across the sector, broadening your skills and knowledge – you’ll have the perfect grounding in mental health nursing.
The five strands of nursing at NTU
Our course combines foundational healthcare knowledge with teaching that’s specific to the field of mental health nursing. With this approach, we’ll help you to develop a well-rounded understanding of the sector, as well as the specialist skills you’ll need as a registered mental health nurse. Our course is built around five “strands”, namely:
- Applied bio-, psycho- and social sciences
- Clinical practice and nursing skills
- Professional concept, philosophies and theories
- Preparation for practice
- Personal and professional development
Across these strands, you’ll develop the core knowledge, skills and attributes you’ll need for a successful career in mental health nursing – both at home and abroad. You’ll have the chance to complete care-based work placements – bedding in your theoretical skills – and pick from an exciting range of specialist electives, outside the specific field of mental health. This way, you’ll have you the chance to broaden your knowledge and experience even further, making you a great candidate for a huge range of nursing roles.
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. You’ll also create your own professional portfolio, whilst getting to grips with the basics of academic writing and research. This module is the perfect introduction to your studies in person-centred mental health care.
Integrative Nursing Practice
On this module, you’ll build 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 sharpens your therapeutic nursing skills – you’ll continue to work on your own reflective practice as you build up 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
You’ll round off your second-year studies with 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, following your qualification. Once again, 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 – allying 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.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you’re taught
Your learning is based on two things we’re very proud of – a “blended” approach of classroom theory and hands-on practice, and our incredible new facilities. We know what’s needed for the toolkit of the “future nurse”, and we’re committed to giving you the skills, knowledge and experience you need. Our teaching delivery is flexible and diverse, and includes:
- Working with personal tutors – individually, and in larger groups
- Collaboration with “expert patients” – those who’ve accessed health services directly, and can guide your skills in person-centred care through their own experience
- Large and inclusive lectures, and smaller, more intimate seminars
- “Interprofessional” learning, with industry experts from across the healthcare sector
- Clinical skills practice / simulated skills application, in our Clinical Skills Suites
- Virtual reality, and a wealth of online learning communities and resources
- Problem-based learning (PBL) and project-based learning (PrBL)
- Experiential practice and work-based learning (WBL)
- Off-the-job training
Programme structure and activities
- Year One: Clinical Skills / Practical Activity / Numeracy Exam / Written Work
- Year Two: Clinical Skills / Practical Activity / Numeracy Exam / Presentation / Written Work
- Year Three: Clinical Skills / Practical Activity / Numeracy Exam / Presentation / Written Work and Independent Study
Contact hours
Your time is split roughly in half between classroom-based learning and practice learning placements. You’ll have a minimum of 4,600 hours’ contact time throughout your course – how that’s divided up depends on the programme you’ve chosen, and the year of study. Whilst the hours are always subject to change, here’s some examples:
BSc Nurse Degree [ND]
- Year One: 318 hours classroom based, 518 independent study, 678 on placement
- Year Two: 318 hours classroom based, 472.5 hours independent study, 790.5 hours placements ,
- Year Three:288 hours classroom based, 390 hours independent study, 903 hours in practice placement
BSc Nurse Degree Apprenticeship [NDA]
- Year One: 318 hours classroom based, 518 independent study, 678 on placement
- Year Two: 318 hours classroom based, 472.5 hours independent study, 790.5 hours placements ,
- Year Three:288 hours classroom based, 390 hours independent study, 903 hours in practice
Hands-on nursing: your work experience opportunities
Placements are the foundation of our nursing courses, and a crucial part of your learning. No other experience gives you the applied, hands-on insights into modern mental health nursing – from decision making to the building of therapeutic relationships. It’s on placement that you’ll apply the theoretical principles of holistic assessment, values-based practice, recovery-orientated care, and effective collaboration between service users, their families, and other providers. You’ll work across a variety of health and social care settings, in a wide range of public and private sector environments – all the time developing your understanding of the person’s journey and the services they access.
You’ll benefit from our reputation in the healthcare sector, and our fantastic professional links throughout mental health nursing. The range and diversity of experiences on offer means you can properly explore the role – and in your second and third years, you’ll even get the chance to complete an “elective” practice learning placement in an alternative field. It’ll deepen your understanding of nursing and improve your job prospects even further.
Learn from the experts
As tomorrow’s professionals, you’ll be taught by today’s experts – people who’ve worked (and are still working) across the healthcare sector. Tutorials and personal contact time are an important part of our nursing courses, and we ensure you’re supported in both one-to-one and group-learning environments. You’ll have your own personal tutor, and a range of module leaders. As these are new courses, we’ve had the opportunity to build them from the ground up, ensuring they’re informed by the latest research and practice – and meaning that you’ll learn at the forefront of modern nursing.
Throughout the programme, we’ll give you all the support you need: from advice and feedback, to securing practice learning placements, to helping you deal with any unforeseen personal circumstances or difficulties.
Clinical and nursing skills
Your registration by the Nursing and Midwifery Council hinges on proving you’ve got the required therapeutic and nursing skills – the practical components of this course. You’ll develop these skills in our suites, through a range of simulated exercises that bridge the gap between the classroom and your practice placements. You’ll then keep a record of the skills you’ve acquired and contact hours you’ve completed in your ePortfolio.
How you’re assessed
- OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) – practical demonstrations of your hands-on nursing skills in a simulated environment
- Observations by Practice Educators of your competency in practice
- An ePortfolio (PebblePad)
- Case studies
- Reflective accounts
- Presentations
- Essays
- Multiple-choice and short-answer exams
- Simulated multi-disciplinary meetings
- Your own independent nursing project
This is a multi-disciplinary programme, and you’ll be assessed through a range of methods and activities. These include:
Careers and employability
With the House of Commons Health Committee announcing the need for 22,000 new nurses by 2021 – and NHS England raising funding to £20.5 billion – the opportunities for young professionals in the healthcare sector are huge. As a graduate, you could pursue a career as a:
- Registered Mental Health Nurse
- Community Mental Health Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Non-Medical Prescriber
- Training in psychological therapies
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Consultant Nurse
- Lead Nurse
From here, you’ll be able to practice as a mental health nurse – and with the networking opportunities you’ll get on your placements, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build a professional reputation with healthcare providers across the region.
Our Employability team
Our dedicated Employability team will help you to improve your marketability and professional prospects. Alongside your studies, they’ll 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 sits outside of your studies, and helps you to develop a broader range of transferable skills, knowledge and experience.
Campus and facilities
The purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre is home to our world-class teaching, practice, research and scholarship in the Institute of Health and Allied Professions (IHAP).
Entry requirements
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.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
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.
There may also be other recommendations, such as a vaccination programme, before any placements can be undertaken.
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.
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.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
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.
There may also be other recommendations, such as a vaccination programme, before any placements can be undertaken.
Interview dates
Interview dates may be subject to change and will be confirmed to successful applicants when they are invited to interview.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
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:
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:
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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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.
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.
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.
Placements
When 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.
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.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Tuition fees
| Mode of study | International tuition fee |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £16,500 |
Please note the fees shown are for 2023 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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
If you want to be a registered nurse in Adult or Mental Health, apply today 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:
- Top Universities - Nursing- Scholarships - Around the World
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.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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:
- Top Universities - Nursing- Scholarships - Around the World