About the course
Gain hands-on skills and experience on a course where 50 per cent of your learning is practice based and course completion leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a mental health nurse.
The relationship between a person with a mental illness and their nurse is central to helping them back to mental health. On this interactive course, you learn safe, effective nursing care that meets the needs of those with a mental health problem; it also teaches you to adapt your skills to individual situations, keeping the service user and their family at the centre of your care.
It is a hands-on course where you develop your knowledge and skills in practice settings such as hospitals, prisons, service users’ homes, residential centres, specialist clinics and other community settings.
Study areas include assessments and interventions in mental health nursing; mental health care across the lifespan; primary care services in the community; multi-professional care; leading complex care; and advocacy, empowerment and protection.
Successfully completing this course leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, allowing you to practise as a mental health nurse, in accordance with the NHS Constitution (see below).
Why choose this course?
- It has a high overall student satisfaction rating of 90% (NSS 2022), with its teaching rated at 91%
- Develop the practical skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours needed to meet the demands of mental health nursing in an evolving healthcare system
- Learn real-life skills in our on-campus simulation units as well as in a variety of practice settings
- Explore the value of inter-professional working, developing and using leadership and teamwork skills to influence contemporary and future practice
The NHS Constitution brings together details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It sets out the principles and values that guide how the NHS should act and make decisions. The NHS Constitution states that the NHS "aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism". Applicants are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of these values throughout the selection process. View the Constitution here
Course Leader - Marlon Bridgeman
Prior to joining the University Of Bedfordshire in June 2013, I worked at the forefront of mental health service delivery, with an Assertive Outreach Team.
As a qualified Mental Health Nurse for over 15 years, I have worked in a variety of settings within teams.
I have been a mentor and sign-off mentor to students for many years in various clinical settings and have had the privilege of working with students from other disciplines.
Units
- Academic Skills Development For Nursing (NUR022-1) Compulsory
- Care Across The Lifespan In Mental Health Nursing (NMH003-1) Compulsory
- Exploring Health And Primary Care Services In The Community (NUR019-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Nursing Interventions (NUR020-1) Compulsory
- Understanding Health (NUR021-1) Compulsory
- Assessment And Interventions In Mental Health Nursing Practice (NMH020-2) Compulsory
- Exploring Evidence (NUR027-2) Compulsory
- Introduction To Public Health (NUR008-2) Compulsory
- Multi-Professional Care For Mental Health Problems (NMH021-2) Compulsory
- Planning, Delivering And Coordinating Care Across Agencies For People With Mental Health Problems (NMH022-2) Compulsory
- Advocacy, Empowerment And Protection (NUR031-3) Compulsory
- Law And Decision Making In Medicines Management (NUR032-3) Compulsory
- Leading Complex Care In Mental Health Nursing (NMH017-3) Compulsory
- Supporting Learning (NUR007-3) Compulsory
- Transforming Care (NUR033-3) Compulsory
The assessment strategy for this course is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to have: immediate professional relevance to ensure safe and effective practice; foster active learning, be leaner-centred in approach and draw on expertise-by-experience. The choice of assessments is determined by their fitness for purpose i.e. to evidence achievement of unit learning outcomes at undergraduate level (Level 6). You will be assessed across a range of practice settings and learning environments throughout the course. To enhance your understanding and experiences of assessment practices you will encounter a wide range of formative and summative assessment methods including those that enable you to undertake practice-focussed tasks that have the potential to influence care delivery. Many of the assessment tasks are designed so that you can tailor them to your professional interests, experience and development needs. They are also designed so that you can rehearse ways of thinking and acting that are professionally relevant. Examples include: written assignments ranging from reflective pieces to case studies and academic essays as well as assessed practice within your placements. Assessments are also designed to support you integrating learning in theory and practice and in demonstrating that integration. You will be assessed in practice through the use of a Practice Assessment Document which outlines the skills and competencies required as a registered nurse. These assessments are recorded and confirmed by a Practice Assessor, alongside your own self-reflections on your progress. Service users and carers also contribute to your assessments. During each of your placement allocations you will have a nominated Practice Assessor in accordance with the NMC Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment (NMC 2018). They conduct assessment to confirm that you have achieved the NMC proficiencies and course outcomes for practice learning. You will also have a nominated Academic Assessor who is responsible for confirming your achievement of the NMC proficiencies and course outcomes in the academic environment for each part of the course. Together the Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor evaluate and recommend a student for progression for each part (year) of the course, in line with course standards and local and national policies.
Why study in the School of Nursing and Health Education?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff Points
Five GCSEs at grade 4 (or grade C if taken before 2016) including English language or English literature and mathematics (or equivalent), plus one of the following:
- 112 points with at least 96 points from 3 A levels or BTEC level 3 QCF qualifications and other qualifications in the UCAS tariff. AS levels and General Studies A level do not count towards this score.
- Access to HE Diploma - a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science-based course: 15 credits at Level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 12 credits should be graded at distinction level and at least 12 credits at merit.
- Diploma in Higher Education or BSc degree
- IELTS Grade 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each area where English is a second language.
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Advanced Highers or International Baccalaureate
Note: NVQ Level 3 is not accepted for any of our professional healthcare courses.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff Points
Five GCSEs at grade 4 (or grade C if taken before 2016) including English language or English literature and mathematics (or equivalent), plus one of the following:
- 112 points with at least 96 points from 3 A levels or BTEC level 3 QCF qualifications and other qualifications in the UCAS tariff. AS levels and General Studies A level do not count towards this score.
- Access to HE Diploma - a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science-based course: 15 credits at Level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 12 credits should be graded at distinction level and at least 12 credits at merit.
- Diploma in Higher Education or BSc degree
- IELTS Grade 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each area where English is a second language.
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Advanced Highers or International Baccalaureate
Note: NVQ Level 3 is not accepted for any of our professional healthcare courses.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
How will this course improve my career prospects?
As a registered mental health nurse, you can go on to develop a rewarding career in the UK and overseas in acute in-patient mental healthcare; community-based mental healthcare; residential care settings; or specialisms (such as secure care, assertive outreach, drug and alcohol services).
In mental health nursing, we offer postgraduate study at Master's and Doctoral level. The Master's includes the V300 Prescribing course and the Advanced Clinical Practitioner course.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Extra costs for this course
For this course you need to have appropriate clothing and equipment.
- Appropriate shoes for clinical placement (£20-£60)
- Fob watch (£5-£20)
- Smart clothes for community placement (£50-£100)
DBS: You will need to pay up to £55 for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge of £13.
Occupational Health Clearance: You may need to pay for some additional services and vaccinations if not available through your GP.
Study materials
- Stationery (printer ink, paper, pens, USB sticks, files etc (£30-£50)
- Books (£50-£200)
Travel costs
You need to ensure that you budget for travelling from your home to the University; between academic sites and to and from placements.
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
Please note: This course is not open to international applicants.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
Please note: This course is not open to international applicants.
