Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Mental Health Nursing) BSc (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B760 | 3 years View KIS data set |
| BSc (Hons) | UCAS: B761 | 4 years with foundation year View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | B760 | S85 |
| BSc (Hons) with foundation year | B761 | S85 |
Why choose this course
- Access our Clinical Simulation Centre, including our wards and community flat, to practise scenarios created with people who have lived experience and actors.
- Spend half of your training in clinical placements, to practise your skills in healthcare settings like acute inpatient, community and specialist mental health services, under the supervision of qualified practitioners.
- Learn from a multidisciplinary team of lecturers, who are all healthcare professionals with experience of working in the NHS. Many are also active researchers, investigating topics such as clinical risk, service user involvement in care and behaviour change.
- Get the academic requirements needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to work as a mental health nurse once you’ve graduated.
What you will study
On this course, you’ll learn to meet the diverse needs of people with mental health difficulties and their families and carers.
In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to mental health nursing, including anatomy and physiology, public health promotion and explore self-awareness and the ability to use the self therapeutically, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.
During your second year, you’ll begin to plan and deliver effective, evidence-based care to people experiencing specific mental health difficulties. You’ll learn how to empower people on their recovery journeys, utilising mental health policy and multi-agency approaches. You’ll also explore the interrelationship between physical and mental health comorbidities integrating with other health professionals and partner agencies like the police and social care.
In your third year, you’ll develop your decision-making and leadership skills, and will gain an interesting perspective into how psychosocial, spiritual, ethical and legal influences have an impact on the way patient care is provided.
You’ll be exposed to a variety of mental health clinical practice experiences where you’ll learn interpersonal engagement and assessment strategies to use with service users, and how to effectively provide care when patients are in crisis.
Related courses
Facilities
You’ll benefit from our multi-million pound facilities, home to our Clinical Simulation Centre, that includes two wards, an ambulance and a community flat. You’ll get to use equipment found in the NHS to learn how to improve your interpersonal communication skills and assessment abilities.
Our virtual environments and actors will transport you into the centre of healthcare scenarios, so you can practise your skills and get a taste of what you may face during your training and when you’re fully qualified.
You’ll also get exclusive access to our independent clinical learning room, set up each week with the necessary equipment required to practise the techniques you’ll be learning.
Teaching staff
You’ll be taught by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers who are all healthcare professionals with experience of working in the NHS. Many are also active researchers, investigating topics such as dementia, ethics and compassionate practice. These may include:
- Professor Elizabeth Barley, an acceptance and commitment therapist with nearly 30 years’ experience
- Laurence Drew, a mental health nurse who’s worked in community mental health, forensic services and psychiatric liaison.
You’ll also be taught by guest lecturers, made up of local doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers as well as partner agencies like the police and social care.
Throughout your placements, you'll have an educational supervisor, who’s a senior clinician. They'll guide you through your experience and feed into your evidence portfolio.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse (mental health).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
100% of our graduates from this course go on to employment or further study.*
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which means that on successful completion of your studies, you’ll have the academic requirements needed to register to work as a mental health nurse.
Our alumni can be found working for NHS trusts across the UK, with recent graduates working for Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
Nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the UK and is home to a diverse range of roles in hospitals, GP surgeries, people’s homes and the wider community. There are also specialist areas that nurses occupy in care homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the military and in industry. You may also want to explore alternative paths, including education, management, mentoring and research. Visit the NHS careers website for further information.
You can also use your qualification to work outside the UK.
*Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the School of Health Sciences.
Accreditation
Academic year structure
This three-year course runs over 49 weeks each year, with seven weeks holiday usually over the winter, spring and summer vacations. The length of the course year and the holiday entitlement are requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATION STUDIES FOR NURSING | Core | Year-long |
Optional modules for Foundation - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 please view the programme specification for the full-time BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Mental Health Nursing).
This structure offers a sequential learning experience that enables students to build and develop knowledge, understanding and skills. Utilising learning and teaching strategies that encompass dynamic learning experiences and reflection.
The programme will consist 1 level 3 120 credit module with 4 summative assessments. This equates to 1200 hrs of study, pass mark for each summative point will be 50%. Students not achieving a passing mark at first attempt will be entitled to re-take the assessment once. In order to progress onto the 3 year Nursing studies programme the overall average mark for the whole year across the assessment points must be 50% or more. Students will be issued a transcript of their marks but the Foundation Year does not lead to an award.
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 1 | Core | Cross Year |
Optional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
NA
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 2 | Core | Cross Year |
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
NA
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 3 | Core | Cross Year |
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
NA
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
Day-to-day learning
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Group work (e.g. discussion groups)
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Practical simulation classes and clinical skills scenarios
- Role plays
- Seminars
- Tutorials.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays and reading.
For some modules, you’ll learn alongside students from other health sciences courses, so you can develop an understanding of inter-professional teamwork.
When you’re on placement
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Demonstration
- Discussion groups
- Observation
- Practice under supervision
- Reflective dialogue
- Role modelling
- Shadowing.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:
- Case studies
- Examinations
- Presentations
- Simulated learning experiences (objective structured clinical examinations – OSCEs)
- Written work.
When you’re out on placement, your knowledge, skills and professional behaviour will be assessed by your mentors.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Shortlisting
Admissions staff will review the information provided within your personal statement and reference to assess applications for evidence of academic ability, insight and motivation.
Relevant work experience in a care setting and/or evidence of other involvement in the community (for example, school, voluntary or charity responsibilities) is normally required. We will also consider relevant skills gained from non-healthcare related roles (such as communication, counselling, teamwork or organisation).
Your personal statement should be comprehensive, with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. If you are shortlisted you will be invited to an interview and selection day.
Interviews
Multiple mini interviews (MMIs) will be conducted by University academics, assisted by staff from clinical practice areas. These are conducted through an online system of pre-recorded questions.
If you are selected to participate in the interview, you will be sent detailed guidance on these selection activities with your invitation.
All of our offers will be made subject to a health screening and DBS checks. Occupational health services are provided by Cordell Health on behalf of the University of Surrey.
References
Read our guide to references (doc) to support your health sciences application.
Declaration of criminal convictions
This is a regulated course that requires declaration of criminal convictions at the application stage, please visit our criminal convictions web page for more information.
Deferred entry
The course does not accept applications for deferred entry.
Covid-19 vaccinations
On 15 March 2022, regulations revoking the Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) for Healthcare Workers came into force. This means that it will not become a requirement for people to have received a COVID-19 vaccine in order to deliver face-to-face CQC-regulated activities in wider social care settings. Whilst we still encourage everyone to get vaccinated where they can, it is no longer a requirement for this programme.
Foundation
On this course, you can choose to study a foundation year, which is designed to equip you with important foundational knowledge, confidence and good learning habits to transition successfully to university study.
As a foundation year student, you will study full-time for one year. During this time, you will gain an understanding of a nurse’s role, developing awareness of the values and beliefs used in modern healthcare. You’ll also become familiar with person-centred care and gain insights into interdisciplinary working. Aspects of your programme will include basic anatomy and physiology, writing and working with healthcare evidence.
On successful completion of the year, you will move automatically onto your chosen nursing programme.
Find out more about our entry requirements, fees and how to apply.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BSc (Hons)
- UK
- To be confirmed
BSc (Hons) (with foundation year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this course:
- Commuting (local travel expenses): Students are required to pay upfront cost of travel and accommodation expenses incurred when on placements, these may vary depending on the location. Students starting their studies in 2023/24 will be able to apply for reimbursement of travel and dual accommodation expenses through the Learning Support Fund as a result of attending practice placements (this model may not apply for the duration of students' studies). Essential expenses incurred over and above a student’s normal daily travel costs to the University are covered. NHS rules on expenses must be followed and the rates applicable are to be confirmed by the NHS Business Services Authority. Students are also able to claim travel and accommodation costs via the NHSLSF if they undertake the additional elective placement
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: Although a uniform (tunics and trousers) is provided, you are required to supply your own suitable footwear and any additional uniform. You are also responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing your uniform. All students receive a name badge free of charge before they go out into practice, if a replacement is required (lost/damaged etc) there is a fee of £4
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: The University will meet the cost of one DBS check, completed at the start of each new student’s programme or earlier where applicants indicate they have a conviction in their application. The DBS check is a programme requirement: it is mandatory that the DBS process is completed and the student is approved to attend before they can start placement. Applicants offered a place on the programme will be contacted to complete the online process by the deadline specified. The process is not completed until all original documentation has been approved by an appointed DBS approver. This should be completed in advance of applicants starting their programme using main branches of the Post Office, where there will be a £6 administration fee.
These additional costs are accurate as of September 2022 and apply to the 2023 year of entry. Costs for 2024 entry will be published in September 2023.
Clinical placements
You’ll spend half of your training in clinical placements, allowing you to develop your knowledge, skills and practice within healthcare settings, under the supervision of qualified practitioners. You’ll complete 37.5 placement hours a week, for approximately 16 weeks in your first year, 26 weeks in your second year and 25 weeks in your third year.
Previous students have completed their placements in the NHS, with private healthcare organisations and with charities. These have been across several settings, including hospitals, residential homes and out in the wider community.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surry opens up a world of opportunity. We want you to take advantage of our international partnerships, explore the world and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
View our study and work abroad information to find out more and see where you can go.
Partner institutions
On our international exchange programme, you can study abroad at one of our partner universities for two months.
Our partner institutions include:
- University College Dublin, Ireland
- University of Stavanger, Norway.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Kate Granger BuildingOur Medicine (Graduate Entry) BMBS degree, nursing and midwifery, and health science courses are taught at the Kate Granger Building (30 Priestley Road), on the Surrey Research Park.
Placement location
You’ll be expected to attend clinical placements off campus. Please see the placements section for more details.
Additional information
Some modules on this course will be taught on Stag Hill campus.University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH