Nursing (Mental Health) BSc(Hons)

Course in brief

Mental health nurses support people experiencing mental health problems by building compassionate therapeutic relationships. They can then help by offering evidence based therapeutic interventions with individuals, families, carers and friends.

Studying a degree in mental health nursing will allow you to develop a deep understanding of yourself and others, while making a positive difference to peoples lives.

To ensure you can confidently apply theory to practice, you will spend 50% of your year on placements with local NHS trusts in varied settings, and simulate healthcare situations in our clinical skills and simulation suite.

We support you to become caring and compassionate graduates, who deliver competent, skilled, evidence-based care in partnership with patients, clients, families, and communities. These qualities are underpinned by the common values of the NHS constitution where patients come first in everything the NHS does and include respect and dignity, compassion and working together for patients.

Our graduates' employment prospects are excellent, with 96% of our most recent graduates in work or further study six months after completing the course (source: National Student Survey 2014, Unistats).

Nurses are in global demand. To give you the opportunity to experience nursing abroad, we offer overseas placements from two to four weeks, or an immersive three-month international stay.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code B760

Full-time 3 years

This course meets NMC standards and course graduates are eligible for registration.

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

Clearing 2017

This course is now full for international students. UK and other EU students may still apply.

Read our Clearing guide

Applying for 2018: read our guide

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course and should be used as a general guide. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer we may make, if your application is successful.

A-levels
BBB, must include a science or social science subject at grade B.

BTEC
DDM in a health or science subject.

International Baccalaureate
30 points.

Access to HE Diploma
pass with 60 credits overall. Health studies, nursing or science. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at distinction.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)

with Access course – maths and English.
with A-levels, BTEC or K101 – at least five GCSEs including maths, English and science.

A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, eg Open University K101.

For all nursing courses leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nurse, you must demonstrate the following:

completion of 10 years' general education
successful completion of literacy and numeracy assessments during the interview process
evidence of study within the last five years is desirable
evidence of commitment to the profession
passing of occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
ability to meet travel requirements to attend placements
ability to follow a shift pattern that could cover any part of a 24-hour 7-day cycle.

Foundation degree
Our Health and Social Care Practice foundation degree offers two ways to qualify for this course. Successful completion of year 1 enables you to apply for entry to year 1, and completing the course with 120 credits at level 5 may enable students to start in year 2.

Interview and numeracy assessment

If you are invited to interview, we will need to see your certificates that allow you to meet our academic entry requirements for the course you have applied for. If you need copies of exam certificates, please contact the appropriate examination board. Schools do not usually keep copies of exam certificates. However they should have a record of your results and we will accept a certified letter from your school, listing the grades that you achieved.

When will I hear the result of the interview?

Normally, you should hear within two to four weeks of the interview date. However, during busy admissions phases and when public holidays fall in this period it may take a little longer.

What can I expect in the maths and English test?

There is a need for nurses to have the skills to calculate medicines, nutrition, fluids and to apply number skills to other areas. Therefore, on the day you come for interview, you will be set an assessment that tests your number skills. No calculators will be permitted during this test.

The tests last for 30 minutes and are designed to test basic competency in maths and written English. This is now a requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for all prospective nursing students. We recommend the following website to brush up your skills: www.open.edu/openlearnworks.

See a sample numeracy assessment paper (pdf 54Kb).

Course in detail

Course structure

You will be based at the Falmer campus, with clinical placements taking place at locations across Sussex including Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton, Haywards Heath and Worthing.

Our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite allows students to simulate practice in the classroom. There is a 50:50 split between theoretical, classroom-based learning, and practice learning opportunities.

You’ll share learning with other health specialisms, allowing you to benefit from interprofessional collaboration, sharing knowledge and expertise.

In each year of the course you engage with both theory and practice learning. The course alternates between academic terms and blocks of practice. Theory sessions in academic terms take place at the university. You will attend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, with Wednesday often being an independent study day. Practice placement blocks are 24 or 32 hours per week and vary in length from 4–12 weeks. Your communication and interpersonal skills will be developed throughout.

Year 1

In year 1 you will explore the nature of nursing, and develop your clinical and communication skills, which will be assessed in both the university and practice settings. You will also study the biological and behavioural sciences that inform nursing practice.

Modules

The Nurse as a Professional – An Introduction
Human Qualities in Nursing
Introduction to Human Structure and Function Applied to Nursing
Psychosocial Studies in Nursing
Professional Nursing Practice Year 1

Year 2

In year 2 you will continue to share some modules with students from other related disciplines, for example public health and research, and have a choice of one of a range of optional modules, eg. arts and health, global health and international exchange modules. You will also study modules specific to mental health nursing and continue to develop your clinical skills in practice settings.

Modules

Public Health for Nursing Practice
Appreciating the Research Process in Nursing
Values in Everyday Mental Health Nursing Practice
Key Concepts and Theories Underpinning Care in Mental Health Nursing
Professional Mental Health Nursing Practice Year 2

Options:

Introduction to Global Health
Extended International Nursing
International Nursing
Student Community Engagement
Arts and Health
Developing Clinical Research Nurse Careers
Exploring Spiritual Health Needs in a Multicultural Society
Emergency First Aid (Nursing)

Final year

In your final year you will continue to specialise in the field of mental health nursing, and will focus on more complex patient and client needs. You will also undertake a dissertation and begin to develop management and leadership skills as you prepare to enter professional practice.

Modules

Leadership
Dissertation
Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
Enhanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing
Professional Mental Health Nursing Practice Year 3

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite is among the best equipped in the country, and is an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.

You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Provided by the NHS’ South East Coast Ambulance Service, you may have access to our Simbulance, enabling you to work alongside paramedic students in an interprofessional learning environment. On board is a high fidelity mannikin with multiple uses, and a child-size mannikin for paediatric scenarios.

Learning by simulation means you will be confident in your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in your professional life.

Flexible Learning Environment

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where you'll be able to practise skills and learn from other students while taking part in a realistic training experience.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that students can be directed and monitored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

Study abroad

Within the School of Health Sciences we are committed to providing a global perspective to nursing and midwifery education. As such we offer a range of international English-speaking exchange placements to Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice students. All of our international placements are fully supported and academically credited.

International placements are only with partners with which we have an agreement – this ensures a good quality learning opportunity and safe experience.

There are no costs for organising the placement for students who wish to travel to Europe, USA (Midwifery) or Australia (Nursing). If you wish to experience nursing in Africa, Asia or South America then your trip will be arranged through the Work the World organisation, for which there is a cost.

Europe

Active placement of up to three months in year 2 with one of our partner universities:

University College Sjælland, Denmark
University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Two-week observational placement with one of 25 institutions across 13 European countries in our European Nursing Module Network. For more information on our European partners and network please visit the European Nursing Module Network website.

International

Observational placements of up to three weeks in Africa, Asia or South America through the Work the World organisation.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University – two-week summer school experience (not credited) which focuses on Chinese medicine and nursing. There is no cost for attending this summer school.

We provide guidance with sourcing accommodation, visas, occupational health checks and insurance. You will be connected with a key personal contact for each partner and have access to online support from the university whilst you are abroad.

All students who take part in a study abroad experience identify its immense value, whether through hosting visiting students or participating in an exchange. We share all students' experiences through our newsletters and through the student ambassador project.

If you wish to learn more about these opportunities you are welcome to discuss this at interview.

Staff profile

Jessica Mills

Course leader

Jessica has great enthusiasm for nursing and for her subject area of acute clinical practice. She is renowned for the many innovative and fun methods that she uses to teach students.

Jessica started her nursing education at the University of Brighton, in 1998. The novel European nursing course that she undertook meant that she learnt Dutch and worked for 6 months as a student nurse in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Following her graduation she commenced a rotational post in Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre.

Next, Jessica embarked upon critical care training and subsequently became a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Within this time she completed her Practice Teacher qualification and then continued to gain her Teacher status with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Jessica has successfully studied for a masters degree at the University of Brighton. This gave her the opportunity to join the School of Health Sciences in 2011.

Careers and employability

This course provides an excellent foundation for work in numerous healthcare contexts and for further professional development in clinical practice, education, management and research.

Our mental health nursing graduates have developed successful careers in both hospital and community settings. Many of our graduates leave university with a firm offer of employment from their sponsoring trust.

After a period of consolidation and further study you can work as a specialist practitioner in the community in areas such as community mental health nursing. Acute care also offers a range of roles, for example caring for people needing crisis intervention.

Successful completion of the course will enable you to access further academic study at masters and doctoral level.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 13,920 GBP

Funding arrangements for students starting this course in September 2017

From 1 August 2017, new students from England starting this course will have access to the standard government student finance support package which consists of loans to meet the cost of tuition fees and a means-tested loan for living costs. In addition, supplementary funding that is means tested as appropriate includes: travel costs for practice and clinical placements, dual accommodation costs during practice and clinical placements, childcare allowances and exceptional hardship fund. You can find helpful and up-to-date information about these changes on the Funding Clinic website.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2017–18. Tuition fees are payable for each year that you study with us.

Where UK/EU students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance.
Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus.
Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence.
Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field.
Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our Brighton accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field

Moulsecoomb Place

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus and Brighton and Sussex Medical School map

Unistats

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats is an organisation that collects specific data about university courses in the UK which enables you to compare information that is important in your decision-making when choosing a university. All universities publish Unistats data on their online course pages.

Wherever we can we have provided extra information here to help put the data into context so that it is as useful as possible when you are making decisions.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the official university document for each course. They are updated each year, and give a very detailed breakdown of what your course might look like.

Programme specification

Find out more

Nursing and midwifery news

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Student views

Jo Complin

"I had reached a point in my life where I wanted to spend the majority of my time doing something that I felt was worthwhile, something that was people-orientated and not about making money. I also wanted a career with variety, where I would constantly be learning new things and have opportunities for professional progress as well as personal development. Nursing fulfils these criteria and lots more besides.

"I love being on placement, where I can start putting the theory into practice by actually getting involved in procedures and helping the patients; even as a student you can really make a positive difference to someone's day. I have also made some great friends and contacts."

Steve Smith

"Without doubt, I'd say the best aspect of the course has been the university staff – they have been unfailingly helpful, informative and wise.

"I'm truly enjoying the course, although speaking as a very, very mature student, it has been really tough.

"Throughout much of the second year we received direct input from service users; some of the stories these people brought to us will stay with me forever."