Degree type: BSc (Hons)
UCAS Code: B760 (BSc/MHN)
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
How to Apply
Why choose this course?
Mental Health Nursing combines university-based study with practice-based clinical placement. With over 30 years experience in delivering nurse education Abertay prides itself on giving a highly relevant education. The University has an established reputation for research in mental health and counselling, which will inform your learning experience on campus. Clinical practice extends across the summer period. Students travel across both Tayside and Fife when on placement, although every effort is made to find placements near your term-time address. In clinical practice, you are supported by a practice mentor and clinical staff from the University.
The core areas for study focus on the domains of professional and ethical practice, care delivery, care management and personal and professional development. Subject specialists in nursing, public health, counselling, psychology, physiology, computer sciences and research contribute to the course. This provides you with experience of multi-professional, collaborative health care and teamwork.
Year 1 is a common foundation programme, which offers a basic introduction to health and nursing. Years 2 and 3 focus on the development of specific mental health nursing skills and knowledge including a COSCA validated counselling certificate. In year 3 you may have the option to arrange an elective clinical placement in the UK or abroad.
On successful completion of year 3 you will be eligible for Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Mental Health Nurse. An Honours degree may be attained by satisfactory completion of year 4 on either full or part-time basis.
During clinical placement, you will work alongside healthcare professionals in a range of settings, gaining experience of working with individuals, their families and carers.
You will be able to take advantage of our state-of-the art library and information technology facilities, as well as the knowledge and expertise of subject specialists.
How you learn
Our aim is for you to develop the knowledge and expertise required for work in the ever-changing healthcare environment. As such, we will help you develop critical thinking, team-working and problem-solving abilities along with practical clinical skills.
During the theoretical part of the course, you will typically spend around 18 hours per week attending classes in the University and will undertake approximately 20 hours of private study.
The practice component of the course is made up of over 60 weeks of clinical practice, based on a 37.5-hour working week.
How you are assessed
Assessment involves a variety of strategies including clinical assessment, essays, case studies, examinations and class tests. These are designed to assess clinical competence and theoretical understanding as it develops across the course. These assessments encourage you to think and inquire in a way that demonstrates independence and comprehensive understanding of key issues.
Higher BBB; A Level CC; ILC (H) BBB; UCAS Tariff 195 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: English or a literate subject (e.g. History), and a science subject.
Applicants with non-standard qualifications should contact the admissions tutor for advice.
Additional requirements: In addition to the entrance requirements of the University, candidates must satisfy the requirements of the professional body for Nursing. The minimum entry requirements for numeracy and literacy are GCSE Grade A–C in Maths and English; SCQA Standard Grades 1-3 or equivalent.
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are:
Overseas: IELTS 7.0 (no individual test less than 7.0)
EU: IELTS 6.0 (no individual test less than 5.5)
In addition, all applicants satisfy a Disclosure Scotland and health screening check.
Mature
Applicants with non-standard qualifications should contact the admissions tutor for advice.
Your future
Mental Health Nursing graduates go on to work in a range of settings including the NHS, the private and voluntary sectors. Career opportunities for graduate nurses include clinical practice, teaching, research and management. The University also offers opportunities for students to go on to study at both masters and doctoral levels.
Professional accreditation
On successful completion of year 3 of the course, students are eligible to register as Mental Health Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) on part 1, RN3, RMH of the professional register. Registration is further dependent on meeting the NMC requirements for good health and good character. On successful completion of the counselling skills modules, students are also eligible to apply for COSCA accreditation.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
The 2012 fee will be announced Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
