Nursing (Mental Health) Direct Entry

This programme is a holistic learning experience, enabling students to become emotionally resilient and transformational Registered Nurses, equipped to meet the unique challenges of Mental Health Nursing. This is a full-time 18-month course for applicants who already hold a Foundation Degree and are Registered Nursing Associates.

Students looking to join the revalidated BSc Nursing programme at the 18 month entry point will start in January 2025. Students looking to join the previous BSc Nursing programme at the 18 month entry point are able to join in March 2024 and September 2024. To do so, please apply directly to the BSc Nursing programme and state in your application that you are looking to join at the 18 month entry point.

Mental health problems currently affect one in four of the UK population. Working in mental health nursing is equally challenging and rewarding. If you’re caring and compassionate, with exceptional communication skills and a real passion for helping people, this programme is for you.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE

APPROVED BY THE NMC:
All of our Nursing programmes are approved against the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and after successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC.

REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE:
A compulsory part of the course is practical learning, where students must complete a range of placements to meet the requirements and to support the application of theory to practice. Throughout, you'll benefit from the support of Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors.

EXPERTISE TO INSPIRE YOU:
You'll be supported by enthusiastic, dedicated and NMC registered academic staff who are immersed in their areas of practice and committed to supporting you at every stage of your studies. The team includes renowned professionals whose work features regularly in leading journals and help shape national policies.

FIRST-CLASS FACILITIES AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY LEARNING:
Our facilities include our outstanding clinical skills suites built to professional standards, with replica wards, counselling rooms and treatment rooms fully equipped with the latest resources. As health care is increasingly delivered by multi-professional teams, we offer opportunities for you to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines to prepare you for flexible working and achieve the best outcomes for patients and service users.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN

You will be taught by qualified health professionals with extensive experience of nursing and leadership roles. Research is an integral part of our work and we make key contributions to the University’s Health and Social Care Research Centre. There may be opportunities for you to work alongside our researchers to gain an insight into the value of research. This course is mapped against the NMC standards to ensure that your learning is up to date and relevant whilst responding to national changes. Assessments are aligned to module learning outcomes and support students to build academic skill and professional development.

YOUR CAREER

Students are eligible to apply for registration with the NMC. You may choose to work in hospitals, community services, primary care services, mental health services, children’s services, learning disability services, general practice, and private, voluntary, and independent services across the NHS or other health and care organisations.

Graduates may wish to return to academic study, further developing their skills and knowledge to undertake a range of specialist or advanced roles. We have a wide range of post-registration provision for postgraduate study, both at masters and doctoral level and for continuing professional development.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027