2 years Mental Health Nursing

To apply for the MSc Mental Health Nursing an applicant would normally have achieved a 2.2 honours degree in a health / life or social science related subject, within the last 5 years, and be able to demonstrate undertaken 700 hours of healthcare related experience which can be mapped to the NMC progression point one core competencies.  

In addition to the attainment of a suitable degree, the NMC require that all applicants must demonstrate evidence of communication and numeracy, and these must be demonstrated normally via GCSE at C or above in English or Welsh 1st language and Mathematics.

As this is a funded programme by the Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) international students will not be able to apply for this programme of study.

The NMC also require that evidence of ‘Good Health and Good Character’ be obtained, and in addition to the supportive reference to the application, the School has adopted the All Wales Good Character reference. Good Character is further assessed by way of a Full/Enhanced DBS report, and these are risk assessed by the partnership in accordance with the School’s policy. Good Health is assessed by the local Health Board’s Health at Work Unit, and students are monitored throughout the programme and supported where required.

Selection processes: 

Completion of application – direct application with personal statement and references.

Short listing from personal statement and reference against agreed criteria (to include numeracy and literacy at GCSE).

Character references taken and reviewed.

Formal interview with interactive group work activities and MMI.

Numeracy / medication calculation

Written essay on seen question – confidentiality and data protection.

Enhanced DBS disclosure check.

Occupational health review.

Selection events and processes will involve lecturers in Mental Health nursing, Health Board clinical staff, service user participants. Participants in the selection processes undergo training and support in diversity and equality as part of their professional development.

If successful at interview applicants will be invited to progress to part two and complete and submit their RPL/REPL portfolio.  Admissions to the programme are made on a time frame to allow for the completion of the RP(E)L process, so early applications are encouraged. 

Further details on this process can be obtained following interview.

Dyslexia / Disability:

Applicants with particular needs in relation to dyslexia or a disability are encouraged to declare this on the front cover of their RPL/REPL portfolio so that this can be taken into account when reviewing the evidence.  This will be reviewed by a RPL/RPEL panel to ascertain completion of required criteria (see below). 

Additional requirements:

A set number of places on the programme are funded HEIW (criteria for the funding and information is available on the HEIW website).

Students who accept a funded place for this course will be required to work within Wales for two years following graduation.

Students with disabilities, on application, are supported by the University’s Disabilities Officer and the School’s Disabilities Advisor, and relevant risk assessments undertaken and adaptations where required, explored.

Where there may be issues relating to Good Character, Good Health, or Disability that require further exploration or investigation, the School and the local Health Board’s Fitness for Practice Committee would be consulted.

Evidence of achievement:

Applicants will be required to complete a RP(E)L reflective portfolio which demonstrates achievement of the Year 1 progression points indicated in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2018).  As part of this portfolio of evidence applicants will be required to submit the BSc / BA certificate and a transcript of the modules undertaken as part of the degree.

Applicants will be required to complete a reflective portfolio which demonstrates the knowledge and skills gained from previous health related experience and this must be mapped against the NMC Year 1 progression points indicated in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Programmes (NMC, 2018).

Portfolio of evidence:

This reflective portfolio will contain specific examples and evidence of how the claimed health care experience allows the applicant to demonstrate attainment of the progression points.  Evidence can be demonstrated with examples from practice experiences, study days attended, mandatory training and the references provided by employers.

Applicants will be required to complete a Declaration of Own Work to indicate that they have exclusively completed the PRL/RPEL portfolio.

The assessment criteria for the portfolio will be as follows:

Authenticity: is there unmistakable evidence to support the full achievement of the Year 1 NMC progression criteria?

Legitimacy: is the achievement sufficient to meet the required level of part one as specified by the NMC 2018 Standards.

Time Frame: are the claims made against experiences which have currency to the current healthcare setting i.e. in the last 3 years?

Sufficiency: is the evidence sufficient to fully demonstrate attainment of the learning/experiences claimed?

Graduate skills: is the applicant able to demonstrate the expected level of study skills for entry at Level 7.

The portfolio will be reviewed by an academic member of staff and will be assessed as pass or fail. Guidance and support will be provided by School staff to assist your completion of this requirement.

On successful completion of the portfolio the applicant will receive a formal offer of a HIEWS funded place

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more