Mental Health Nursing  BSc (Hons)

Overview

This BSC prepares you for a rewarding career in mental health nursing. As a mental health nurse you can make a real difference to the lives of people of all ages who experience mental health problems.

Mental health nursing focuses on the provision of holistic care that enables people with mental health problems to be physically safe and emotionally secure. It is all about helping people to make positive changes to their lives and about supporting them on their journey of recovery.

  • Broaden your knowledge through clinical placements which take place mainly within the East London NHS Foundation Trust covering the diverse communities in that area. 
  • Enhance your career prospects - City ranks high for graduate employability and has excellent opportunities for further general and specialist postgraduate study within nursing.
  • Learn via our flexible and innovative virtual learning environments and clinical skills platforms - ensuring you are prepared for a hospital environment.
  • Gain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and entry to a respected profession.
  • Gain with tuition fees paid by the NHS - bursaries are also available.

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for home and EU students

Start Date:

September 2012

UCAS code:

B702

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Tariff Points

Typical offers require one of the following:

  • A-AS-level: 280 UCAS tariff points at least 160 at A2, for example 3 A levels at grades BBC or above or 2 A levels at CC and 3 AS levels at C grade or equivalent, plus 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and mathematics. A/AS-levels in biological science or social science is preferable.
  • 14-19 Advanced Diploma: 14-19 Advanced Diploma, Society, Health and Development minimum grade D/150 points topped up with ASL points to a minimum of 270 points.
  • Access course: on an individual basis. 

Please check the UCAS website for information on QAA/OCN, BTEC, AVCE and IB. Comparable overseas qualifications are acceptable subject to verification.

In addition: You will be required to have occupational health and enhanced Criminal Records Bureau clearance. Academic and character references are also required.


English Requirements

One of the following:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall; with at least 7.0 in the listening, reading, writing and speaking sections
  • TOEFL: 110 internet-based total
  • GCSE: English language grade C.

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

Course Content

During the course you will combine theoretical study with clinical experience. At City you will gain experience of care delivery across a range of settings and environments in East London. You will have a unique opportunity to learn how to provide culturally sensitive care within a diverse world city.

 The degree is delivered by experts who are leaders in the field of mental health nursing practice, education and research.

Course Structure

Year one

This includes an introduction to the University and School and the core curricular themes of the course including biology, physiology, pathology, sociology and psychology of health and illness for people with mental health problems, professional practice and working with people with mental health problems, clinical and communication skills and preparation for practice in simulated learning environments. Students will also undertake clinical learning in practice environments during the first year of the programme.

Year two

You will develop your identity as a mental health nurse and healthcare practitioner. You will consolidate your knowledge and understanding of mental illness including different types of treatments and pharmacology, undertake a more in-depth analysis of the social and psychological determinants of health and illness and the regulatory frameworks governing professional practice. You will be given the opportunity to learn in community and hospital settings.

Year three

You will develop and apply the knowledge and skills you need to become a nurse and healthcare practitioner, and to develop professional autonomy. You will be introduced to leadership and management skills, consolidate your clinical skills and develop an appreciation of health policy. Honours degree students will undertake a 6,000 word dissertation.

During the practice-based module students spend the final 12 weeks of the course on a practice area of their choice, subject to availability. Students undertake client attachment, an alternative to location based placements; whereby students are supervised working with a case load of service users.

Teaching and Assessment

You will be taught by expert staff through lectures, facilitated group work and enquiry-based learning.

Our Virtual Learning Environment allows flexible and innovative e-learning and e-communication opportunities. Students have access to online course materials, resources, interactive activities, assessment and communication tools.

We are also using an innovative method of group work to support students and help them to develop the ability to understand and process the emotional impact of working in mental health.

The Clinical Skills Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital provides clinical skills teaching and learning in a simulated ward.

Assessment includes multiple-choice and short-answer exams, reflective essays, case-studies reports, lab reports, care studies, group presentations, drug-calculation tests and a seen-scenario exam. Practice is assessed by the student's mentor and personal tutor and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in a simulated environment.

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £Tuition fees are paid by the NHS for home and EU students

Your tuition fees will normally be paid for by the NHS, subject to you meeting the residency requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary. Please see the NHS Student Bursaries website for details.

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Scholarships

New for 2012 entrants: Up to £500 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here  to see if you might qualify.

Bursaries

You may also be eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary. Please visit the NHS Bursaries page of our website, or the NHS Student Bursaries website for details.

Placements


You will spend around 50% of your time on clinical placements. This mainly takes place within the East London NHS Foundation Trust covering the diverse communities of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

Your clinical experience supports you to explore the service user's journey - which can include older people, those with severe mental illness, those who are working on recovery, as well as those detained in secure settings. You can customise your clinical experience according to your own interests towards the end of the course. Placement blocks run from eight to 12 weeks.

Career Prospects

Successful graduates will be registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The BSc Mental Health Nursing will accelerate your career progression and open up a variety of fascinating career opportunities, including the chance to study an MSc after two years' experience.

Find out more about City University London

Mental Health Nursing

UCAS code: B702

You can apply via the central UCAS applications system that supports all undergraduate applications within the UK for both home and overseas students. 

It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible.

How do we make our decision?

  • In reaching our selection decisions we will take into account your:
  • Exam performance (actual or predicted)
  • Personal Statement and reasons for choice of course / career
  • Evidence of intellectual ability
  • Tutor references
  • Relevant work experience

Selection and interview day

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and selection day. You must be able to demonstrate maturity and excellent interpersonal skills, have the ability to be empathetic and to work in different settings with people who have varying needs. Previous experience of working within a caring environment or situation may be advantageous.

Literacy and numeracy tests

You will also be required to undertake a literacy and numeracy test. In order to proceed forward to interview, you will be required to pass both of these assessments.

For further information and example literacy and numeracy tests please visit our literacy and numeracy tests page.

Enquiries

For enquiries about the admissions process, please contact our undergraduate admissions team: