2024/25 entry Applications also open for 2025/26
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing with Registered Nurse Status Top Up
Why study Mental Health Nursing with Registered Nurse Status Top Up at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Best Student Experience' Winner, Student Nursing Times Awards 2020 & 'Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration)', Student Nursing Times Awards 2018
- Clinical work experience with four placements guaranteed per year in a wide variety of healthcare settings
- £4m invested in the Faculty's teaching and learning environment, including £1.6m developing professional-standard clinical practice suites
- £6,000 NHS grant as standard for Mental Health Nursing students living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland plus another £2,000 for students with dependent children (eligibility criteria apply. Please note: you will only receive a grant for the first 12 months of your course, not per year)
- Please note, we also offer a degree apprenticeship route for the Registered Nurse Top-Up. If your employer is supporting you to apply for the apprenticeship route, please use the following link http://daaf.ljmu.ac.uk
About your course
Designed specifically for qualified Nursing Associates, our BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing top-up degree will lead you to qualify as a Registered Nurse in 18 months.
You will join the course at Level 5, and study alongside second year (Level 5) students on the standard three-year BSc (Hons) Nursing programmes. Registered mental health nurses work in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals and high security services to drug and alcohol services and community mental health services for people of all ages.
Your key role and challenge as a mental health nurse will be to engage in, develop and disengage from therapeutic relationships with service users and their families through the use of effective communication and interpersonal skills. Your aim will be to promote health and wellbeing for individuals alongside assisting them to achieve their full potential in recovery.The Faculty has a therapeutic suite where you will perform, observe, record and play back a variety of interactive simulations based on a range of teaching methods. Work-based learning is integral to this programme so you will undertake supervised and supported clinical practice and experience the full 24-hour shift working pattern.
Your clinical and theoretical experiences will assist you in the development of a range of skills such as communication, decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, case management and team working, all of which are underpinned by the professional values of mental health nursing.
LJMUs professional-standard clinical practice suites enable you to train on-campus using outstanding facilities, including with virtual patients. The suites replicate a patients journey from a home environment through to rehabilitation. They cover a range of areas with the latest clinical equipment for simulations and clinical skills development in child nursing, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery. This environment will help prepare you for the rigours and realism of actual practice, giving you the confidence to deal with real service users in the NHS, private and voluntary settings.
"LJMU has provided me with outstanding support and a variety of learning opportunities. This has allowed me to fulfil my dream of becoming a children's nurse and not let my disability hold me back."
Professional accreditation/links
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK. Successfully completing an NMC accredited Registered Nurse degree allows you to apply to the official register.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Travel costs to placements and parking if using a car whilst on placement. However, you may be able to claim reimbursement of travel costs through the Learning Support Fund provided by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
Students who would like to buy extra uniform items, further to their standard uniform which is included in the course fees, have the option to do so. International experience may incur costs.
Employability
Qualify as a registered nurse in 18 months!
Successful completion of the course allows you to apply for registration on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register. This can lead to careers in the health sector at home or abroad and in the private and voluntary sectors.
With the BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing top up degree, you will enjoy exciting career opportunities both in the UK and have the opportunity to participate in overseas placement.
There are a growing number of nurse specialist posts in some clinical areas too. Some graduates prefer to pursue careers in teaching, research or management, or continue their studies with a masters programme.
100% of LJMU's child nursing graduates go on to employment or further study within 15 months of completing the course (Source: discoveruni.gov.uk).
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 5
Core modules
Developing Practice in Mental Health Nursing 2
20 credits
The aim of this module is to build upon 'Developing Practice in Mental Health Nursing 1' to further reinforce your engagement with knowledge, attitudes, values and skills associated with safe and effective care.
Evidence and Evaluation in the Development of Nursing Practice
20 credits
This module aims to support your development of evidence-based thinking with regards to decision-making for effective nursing. You will:
- Apply methods of inquiry to nursing related issues.
- Be able to examine the link between evidence, leadership, and decision-making in nursing.
- Be able to review processes for the safe and ethical construction and use of evidence in nursing.
Partnership Working and Care Co-ordination in Mental Health Nursing
20 credits
In this module you will examine strategies and approaches for service improvement in mental health nursing.
Level 6
Core modules
Leadership, Management and Supervision
20 credits
This module supports your journey towards leadership roles in nursing. Through interactive lectures, discussions, group tutorials, action learning workshops, private study, and practice, you will foster practical skills of reflection, personal development planning, empowerment, teamwork and leadership.
The Proficient Mental Health Nurse
40 credits
In this module you will learn a range of values, attitudes and skills that underpin safe and effective clinical practice to support your development as an independent practitioner.
Globalisation, Health and Healthcare for Mental Health Nursing
20 credits
This module enables you to support patients from different cultural backgrounds in a holistic approach to care.
Co-ordinating Safe, Quality Mental Health Care
20 credits
This module establishes how complex care can be delivered safely in mental health nursing.
Professional Practice and Coordinating Complex Care in Mental Health Nursing
20 credits
This module will prepare you for the management of the care of mental health patients with complex needs.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
50% of your programme is theory and 50% is clinical practice. Both are equally important elements. Blocks of academic study can be up to six weeks depending on what point in the programme you are at. You will work 30 hours a week in clinical practice and will have a weekly study day of 7.5 hours.
Underpinning all aspects of the training is a commitment to ethical and anti-oppressive values, values and principles of the NHS Constitution and Professional Body requirements. In a full year, you will have seven weeks holiday, and may be required to attend sessions outside the normal university hours of 9am to 5pm.
Work-related Learning
This includes work-based learning in primary care, nursing homes and acute settings, and gives you an invaluable opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners while experiencing the full 24-hour working pattern.
Most of your placements will be in the local area but we cannot guarantee that they will all be close to your home. In addition there is work related learning once per year in our simulated practice experience.
All students will undertake one simulated formative placement per year, which is a key feature of the programme. This placement occurs within the LJMU purpose build clinical skills suites and allows for interprofessional learning to take place, in addition to specific simulated learning.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
As soon as you enrol at LJMU, you will be assigned your own personal tutor, and will meet with them regularly throughout each year. Your personal tutor will give you feedback on how well you are progressing with your studies and encourage you to plan for your educational and career development. During your clinical placements you will work alongside experienced nurses and registered healthcare professionals and be supervised by practice assessors and supervisors, as well as having the support of academic link lecturers. Additional support is always available within the Faculty or from student support workers if you need it. All new students coming in to the faculty will have a student mentor allocated to them. Student Mentors are second and third year students who have been selected and trained to mentor new students in all aspects of university life. The student mentor service offers an exciting opportunity for personal and professional development.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
You will be assessed through a combination of practice placements, exams, essays and assignments and presentations.There will also be clinical assessment, which will be undertaken whilst in clinical practice where you will be assessed by practice supervisors and assessors.
You will be offered feedback at various points during the course and support will always be readily available from your individual module tutors should you need advice or guidance at any time. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
Part of the City Campus, the School of Nursing and Allied Health works with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design and deliver a dynamic suite of courses. In addition to specialist clinical practice suite facilities, you will find high quality seminar rooms, IT suites and lecture theatres, plus a café and social spaces. The Schools flagship Tithebarn Building adjoins the Avril Robarts Library.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required: N/A
BTECs
- National Certificate (RQF): N/A
Access awards
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: N/A
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: N/A
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: N/A
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: N/A
NVQ
- Are Level 3 NVQs acceptable? Not Acceptable
Additional requirements
-
Interview required
Interview is required
International requirements
-
IELTS
- If English is not your first language, IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0, including least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections. The University may be able to accept alternative English Language qualifications from applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) on a case by case basis in line with the appropriate Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines.
-
Accepted as an alternative to IELTS is Occupational English Test (OET):
We'll accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved:
- at least a grade C+ in the writing section
- at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections
Further information
-
DBS, Occupational Health requirements
Can this course be deferred?
No
OCR National Acceptability
- National Certificate: N/A
Occupational Health
All applications subject to a satisfactory Medical Clearance/Examination. We will contact you directly to undertake this.
Is a DBS check required?
Yes.
Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service - formerly CRB). We will contact you directly to undertake this and further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
In addition, applicants will have to follow Faculty procedures for declaring any convictions after interview.
Nursing Associate qualification
- Applicant must hold the Nursing Associate qualification.
-
Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
The Nursing Associate to BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing top up programme recognises that prior learning and experience is integral to your learning.
Applicant must hold the Nursing Associate qualification.
Any overseas qualifications should be equivalent to UK qualifications which meet our entry requirements. If you have completed your degree outside the UK, we will require a clear copy of your degree documentation to ensure NARIC comparability. Please note that all applicants who are invited to interview will be required to present their original documentation.
English and Maths GCSE at grade A* - C (discuss with admissions team if you have equivalent qualifications).
If English is not your first language, IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0, including least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections. The University may be able to accept alternative English Language qualifications from applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) on a case by case basis in line with the appropriate Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.