Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship - Mental Health (Mental Health)


Institution code	H36
Start date	September
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions, and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
UCAS points A Level BTEC
112-120 BBC-BBB DMM-DDM: in health and social care or other health related subject

Additional requirements

A Levels: at least 112 UCAS tariff points that include two A Levels.
Or
BTEC Diploma: 112 (equivalent tariff, depending on the field) in a health-related subject.
BTEC National Certificate: 112 (equivalent tariff, depending on the field) in a health and social care or a health-related subject.
Access to Nursing Course: 112 (equivalent tariff).
GCSE: grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), to include English and mathematics. Science is required for some fields.
Shortened APL routes
English and Mathematics GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent.
The completion of a foundation degree in health care is achieved while working as a health care assistant/support worker or an equivalent academic qualification and/or relevant practice experience.
Successful accreditation of any prior learning and/or practice experience against the current programme outcomes.
All offers will be subject to the applicant's demonstration of the NHS constitution's 'values and behaviours', satisfactory interviews, numeracy and literacy tests, health screening and the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks. You can view the full NHS Constitution for England on the Government website.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
112-120	BBC-BBB	DMM-DDM: in health and social care or other health related subject

About the course

Apprenticeship Standard: Registered Nurse

Final Award: BSc (Hons) Nursing

Nurses form the largest professional group within mental health services. With around a quarter of the population experiencing some form of mental health difficulty, mental health nurses play a vital role in supporting and empowering individuals. As a mental health nurse, you will take on the rewarding and sometimes challenging responsibility of forming therapeutic relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups

This Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship programme provides a comprehensive pre-registration route into the profession. It equips you with the essential skills to make evidence-based interventions and deliver compassionate, person-centred care-always respecting and valuing the aspirations of those living with mental health conditions.

A career in nursing means working collaboratively with service users, families, carers, and a wide range of healthcare professionals and external agencies to provide care, support, and advice to those who are unwell, injured, or living with disabilities.

This mental health nursing apprenticeship supports apprentices in developing a robust foundation of core nursing knowledge and clinical skills. It offers specialisms in adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities, and mental health nursing-allowing apprentices to pursue a pathway that aligns with their passion and career goals.

Why choose this course?

Mental Health Nursing is a highly skilled, rewarding and caring profession where you can make a real difference to people’s lives. You will gain a well-rounded understanding of all areas of the nursing profession, while having the opportunity to specialise in your chosen field and develop your critical, analytical and reflective skills. Graduates of this Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship programme will be entitled to apply to enter the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the field of Mental Health. Those who have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification in nursing (or a related subject) are eligible to undertake a two-year top-up version of this Level 6 qualification through Accredited Prior Learning (APL).

What will I study?

Mental health nursing is a dynamic and rewarding field that equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges across a variety of healthcare settings.

This mental health nursing apprenticeship combines academic study with real-world clinical experience, providing a comprehensive pathway into the profession while allowing you to earn as you learn. You will be fully supported throughout your training as you develop the essential competencies required to deliver safe, person-centred and recovery-focused care.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Key Concepts, Theories and Debates for Mental Health Nursing	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will examine a range of supporting theoretical and policy perspectives on the nature of mental health, mental illness and wellbeing. Students will explore how contributions from psychology, sociology and philosophy inform our understanding of the evolving, contested and constructed notions of mental health, mental illness, and mental wellbeing.
Communication and Relationship Management Skills for Nursing	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will develop students' existing communication skills in line with the relevant nursing standards. It will enable students to develop their skills in searching and evaluating the literature, critical reading and writing skills aiding students to formulate and communicate scholarly arguments and ideas.
Therapeutic Communication for Mental Health	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students will build upon their empathetic and therapeutic communication skills so that they can effectively engage with a range of service users, families, and carers in different therapeutic situations. Students will learn about counselling and therapeutic interactions that can be used to support service user engagement and recovery.
Foundations of Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will examine bioscientific and professional concepts that underpin nursing practice. It will address how these inform nursing care and health and wellbeing. It will also consider wider social, political and economic issues and their impact on health and care delivery.
Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice 1	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will enable students explore their learning and progression as they begin their journey of becoming a registered mental health nurse. Structured learning activities will facilitate inquiry skills and solution building through experiential learning. Students will attend a range of practice placements during the year that this module runs.
Skills for Professional and Academic Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to develop the academic skills required for higher education and equip students with the ability to identify their learning and development needs. It will facilitate the acquisition of values, knowledge and skills that are essential for learning and effective independent study.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module builds on the knowledge acquired in Fundamentals of Health and Wellbeing. While the focus on the professional aspects of nursing practice continues, ideas of health and wellbeing alongside the social and political context of health and wellbeing are further examined. The focus on bioscience shifts to the pharmacological aspects of health and wellbeing.
Essentials of Mental Health Nursing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module encompasses key elements surrounding recovery-focused care, collaborative working, and evidence-based practice. Learners will develop understanding of person-centred, compassionate care, through research, analysis and critical reflection of theoretical constructs, models, and legislation. Whilst building upon key professional values and ethical principles, to apply these skills in practice.
Research and the Evidence Base for Mental Health Nursing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module focuses on research and evidence as well as its potential impact on mental health nursing. Students will develop ability to access and systematically search the literature from a range of sources, recognising the multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder contribution to research. A key focus of this module is recognition of the centrality of users and carers in the research agenda and how their engagement is shaping the conduct and output generated by research.
Mental Health Nursing Practice 2	30 Credits	Compulsory
Patient risk assessment and care planning as well as reflection is practised through simulated learning in a realistic environment using authentic case scenarios to develop skills and knowledge required for practice. The module content is tailored to support knowledge and development of skills to practice safety at the level of 2nd year student nurse in clinical practice and which are reflected in the Part 2 PAD requirements.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Final Numeracy Exam	0 Credits	Compulsory
Using both lecture based teaching and online resources this module intends to enable the student to develop knowledge of the formulae used for calculating medication dosages for both enteral and parenteral medicine administration.
Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice 3	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to equip students fulfil the requirements of NMC Future Nurse Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses. Emphasis is placed on the use of simulation to enhance the skills needed for leading and coordinating holistic professional mental health care across various care settings, in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
Mental Health Nursing : Mental Health Recovery and Complex Care	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module is arranged around three key themes, each critical to the learning needs of mental health nursing students. The first theme centres on how the mental health nurse can develop and use a range of strategies and approaches to promote service user recovery. This is contextualised around the second theme of complex legal and professional frameworks. The final theme is around the implementation of evidence-based knowledge and skills in relation to medicines management in ways which engage and involve the mental health service user.
Quality Improvement and Innovation in Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students on this module will be supported to create a quality improvement initiative to effect positive change in service delivery, relevant to nursing practice. It represents an exciting opportunity for students to engage in a negotiated quality improvement proposal that will encourage them to focus on a practice issue of personal and professional interest.
Leadership in Mental Health Nursing	30 Credits	Compulsory
Welcome to an exciting journey in our mental health nursing leadership and management module. You will enhance your leadership skills, critical thinking, and grasp of management and leadership dynamics. We will dive into leadership models, deal with uncertainty and complexity and impact of technology for effective collaboration and resilience building.

Professional Accreditations

Entitlement to apply to enter the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Mental Health).

Careers

Following successful completion of the Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship programme, you will be entitled to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the branch of nursing in which you have specialised. You will be able to take advantage of the varied opportunities available to you, to put into practice all you have learned and make a positive contribution to the lives of individuals, and their families.

What job can I get?

The course entitles you to apply for registration as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This opens a range of fascinating and rewarding career options for both work and advancement in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, community practice, individuals’ homes and rehabilitation units. 100% of our mental health nursing students go on to employment or further study within 6 months of graduating.

Typical career paths for graduates of this Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship include:

Community Nurse
Practice Nurse
Public Health Nurse
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurse Practitioner

Employability is at the heart of this course, equipping graduates with the leadership, analytical, and strategic skills employers need across a wide range of sectors.

Programme specifications
Nursing (Mental Health) (Degree Apprenticeship, Semester A Intake) BSc (Hons) 2025-26	Download
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) (Degree Apprenticeship)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

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