Aston University, Birmingham
UCAS Code: B760 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
• BBB in any three A Levels. • BBC in any three A Levels for contextual offer students.* We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.
Access to HE Diploma
We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must achieve at minimum GCSE Maths and GCSE English Language/Literature at grade C/4. Alternatively, you can complete and pass a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in Maths and English.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSEs: Five GCSEs all at grade C/4 and must include Maths and English Language. If you are taking an Access Course, you will only be required to have grade C/4 in Maths and English Language/Literature. Functional Skills: Please be aware that we also accept Level 2 Functional Skills in lieu of Maths and English GCSE.
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject and you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject and you must also achieve grade B one A Level subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject and you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject and you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
BTEC must be in either Health and Social Care or Science subject and you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects
T Level
We accept grade Distinction in any of the below subjects: • Health • Healthcare Science • Science
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About this course
**This course is pending approval from the NMC**
Do you have the passion and empathy to care for adults, children and young people in a variety of settings? Working as a mental health nurse is an incredibly rewarding career. No two days are the same – it's one of the most rewarding roles in health and social care.
**Course overview:**
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Mental Health Nursing) course aligns to the key principles of the NHS Constitution, derived from extensive discussions with staff, patients, carers and the public. These principles inspire passion in the NHS and provide a common ground for cooperation in achieving shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS.
At Aston you’ll learn in an inter-professional way, developing the theoretical, practical, and interpersonal skills you'll need to be able to register as a nurse specialising in mental health. When you successfully complete the course, you will be eligible to register as a mental health nurse with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
**What skills we teach**
As a student in our Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Mental Health Nursing) BSc (Hons) programme, you will study topics that are fundamental to mental health nursing, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build your knowledge and skills over the course of three years. The programme enables you to explore and develop skills pertaining to mental health and mental illness, evidence-based practices, research practices, critical exploration, leadership and physical health care.
**Integrated placements**
You will benefit from extensive patient contact throughout the course with practice learning placements forming a large part of your study experience. You will spend 50% of your study time in practice, which will be undertaken in various clinical and community environments. There is opportunity for a negotiated placement in year 2 where you can experience nursing in an alternative setting in the UK, or abroad
**How you will learn**
A significant portion of your learning will be the application of theory into practice such as delivering care to people and their families at home, in the community, or in the hospital environment. The programme will help you to understand the key health priorities for adults, children and young people, to consider how you can enable people to have good mental health, to recovery from mental illness and how you can work with people and their families during difficult and vulnerable times.
Practice learning placements are a large part of your study experience. You will spend 50% of your study time in practice in various clinical environments. This will support you in gaining experience in different clinical areas in organisations that offer specialist services. You will also have the opportunity to experience a placement in an alternative setting in the UK, or abroad. We also partner with high-level NHS Trust clinical environments in the West Midlands, which provides a collaborative approach to learning, clinical placements and quality assurance.
This three-year course runs over 45 weeks each year. There are three year-long modules, incorporating both theory and practice.
**What you will learn**
This course is delivered by seminars, lectures, work-based learning, tutorials, and technology-enhanced learning environments such as our new highly advanced clinical simulation suite, an immersive studio room and a simulation flat
You will study topics fundamental to nursing, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build your knowledge and skills over three years. You will develop the skills needed to care compassionately for people and explore theories and concepts to boost and challenge your understanding of mental health nursing and the impactful role mental health nurses can have on person-centred care, recovery, research and service improvement.
Modules
**Year one:** In your first year, you will learn the foundational aspects of mental health nursing on which your nursing knowledge will develop. Learning different theories and conceptual models helps nurses to understand and view good mental health and mental illness from different perspectives. You will learn about the importance of evidence-based practice and how this can be applied to mental health nursing to improve patient experiences, and promote recovery and good mental health. You will develop an understanding of the structure of UK national health services and the different lenses through which health is observed. You will gain an understanding of health inequalities, and community and public health, as well as explore how good mental and physical health can be promoted. You will study anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to enable you to care holistically for mental health patients. Professionalism and ethical and legal values are fundamental to nursing and will be covered throughout the course, starting in your first year. You will be encouraged and supported to develop as healthy and emotionally intelligent nurses. There will be opportunities to work collaboratively with the inter-professional team, service users and their families and you will be supported to reflect on your knowledge, skills and practice experiences to progress into year two. In your first year, you will have a simulated placement at Aston University to prepare you for clinical practice before going into the clinical areas as a year 1 student nurse. **Year two:** During your second year, you will develop your knowledge and skills to provide care for a wide range of mental health conditions, which will be applicable to patients in different healthcare settings, including hospital, community care and home as well as specialist mental health services. You will build on your anatomy and physiology knowledge, ensuring you are prepared to provide safe and equitable physical care for patients and meet the needs of those with comorbidities. Essential specialist mental health nursing skills will be taught across year two, preparing you to work sensitively, compassionately and with patients and their families to foster professional working relationships, built on trust, one that promotes hope and recovery and enables people to be an active part of their own care. You will build on your knowledge of evidence-based practice, developing research knowledge and explore how research informs nursing practice, applying knowledge in simulated situations, and attending placements in areas that meet the complex needs of patients. At the end of year 2, you will undertake a student experience placement which is negotiated with your programme academics. **Year three:** In your third year, you will learn how to effectively assess and manage patients with increasingly complex conditions, analysing and debating a range of options and evidence to inform treatment and management decisions. Critical perspectives in mental health will be explored to ensure your readiness to support person-centred, holistic and individualised care with patients and their families. Year three focuses on consolidating your knowledge and building your confidence for practice, to be ready for professional registration. You will prepare for the role of the Registered Nurse by consolidating your knowledge of care provision, leading teams and supervising others. You will have the opportunity to practise your clinical approaches within simulated scenarios and placements in order to develop your confidence in line with the NMC Future Nurse Standards (2018)
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations, and practical assessments. The assessment strategy is designed to match the module aims and learning outcomes and will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate practical skills, knowledge, and written and verbal communication skills. Assessments follow the same approach in years 1, 2 and 3 so that you can understand what assessment to expect, and be able to prepare accordingly. Our approach to assessments increases opportunities for employability, as it maximises the opportunity to practise skills that are expected in the working environment, such as presenting information and performing clinical skills competently. Academic assessment will be completed alongside practice-based proficiencies, in order to achieve the criteria set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, (NMC 2018). Progression will be confirmed by the practice assessor and the assigned academic assessor. Students must pass all summative assessments and professionalism to pass the course. Professionalism will include assessment of attendance, engagement and professional conduct. On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to apply for registration with The Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Mental Health). We prepare you to be a confident, autonomous practitioner, driven and committed to advocating and meeting the needs of patients and their families.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Medical School
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