Mental Health Nursing

The PgCert comprises the following core modules:

• Foundations of Nursing (core, 20 credits)
• Nursing Values in Practice (core, 20 credits)
• The Nursing Profession (core, 20 credits)

In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2010) students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 1 before progressing to Part 2.

This equates to students having met NMC Progression Point 1 Criteria together with 60 credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Professional Requirements

The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the first progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.

These criteria cover:

• Safety, safeguarding and protection of people of all ages, their carers and their families
• Professional values, expected attitudes and the behaviours that must be shown towards people, their carers, their families, and others

Achievement of Part 1 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:

• Completion of Part 1 NMC practice hours
• Completion of safeMedicate™ (100% Pass)
• Evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
• Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3

Academic Requirements

• 60 credits at SCQF Level 11

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Students meeting the academic progression criteria will be entitled to a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Studies if exiting the programme prior to completion. The PgCert Health Studies award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Successful completion of the PgCert allows you to proceed to the PgDip, which consists of the additional following core module:

• Mental Health Nursing Practice (core, 20 credits)
• Contemporary Mental Health (core, 20 credits)
• Working with Vulnerability (core, 20 credits)

In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2010), students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 2 before progressing to Part 3. This equates to students having met the NMC Progression Point 2 Criteria together with 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Professional Requirements

The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the second progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.

These criteria cover:

• Working more independently, with less direct supervision, in a safe and increasingly confident manner
• Demonstrating potential to work autonomously, making the most of opportunities to extend knowledge, skills and practice

Achievement of Part 2 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:

• Completion of Part 2 NMC practice hours
• Ongoing evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
• Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3

Academic Requirements

• 120 credits at SCQF Level 11

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Students meeting the academic progression criteria will be entitled to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Health Studies if exiting the programme prior to completion. The PgDip Health Studies award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

• Research in Practice

Award of MSc Adult Nursing

Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2010) and 180 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to Award of MSc Adult Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as an adult nurse.

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Professional Requirements

Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:

• Completion of Part 3 NMC practice hours
• Evidence of achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
• Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 3.1 and PLE 3.2

Sign Off Mentor has declared achievement of the required NMC Standards of Competence (NMC, 2010)

Academic Requirements

180 credits at SCQF Level 11

Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Mental Health Nursing

Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2010) and 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to the Award of Post Graduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as a mental health nurse. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Professional Requirements

Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:

• Completion of Part 3 NMC practice hours
• Evidence of achievement of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters
• Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 3.1 and PLE 3.2
• Sign Off Mentor has declared achievement of the required NMC Standards of Competence (NMC, 2010)

Academic Requirements

120 credits at SCQF Level 11

Award of MSc Health

Students who accrue 180 credits at SCQF Level 11 but do not achieve the NMC Standards for Part 3 will be entitled to the award of MSc Health. The award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Award of Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Health Studies

Students who accrue 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 and either do not achieve the NMC Standards for Part 3 or do not complete the programme will be entitled to a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Studies. The award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Our ongoing assessment strategy aims to support learning and has been designed to assess your knowledge of nursing at SCQF Level 11. The strategy also ensures that the professional requirements for competency to enter the NMC professional register are achieved.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

• Scheduled learning: 14%
• Independent study: 32%
• Placement: 54%

ASSESSMENT

• Exam: 11%
• Practical: 0%
• Coursework: 89% (includes clinical placements for Part 1/Part 2/Part 3)

Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

MSc Mental Health Nursing Course Structure

You must:

• possess an appropriate Ordinary bachelor's degree in biological, health, social science, nursing or related subject obtained within five years
• be able to provide an academic reference, as well as copies of your formal university transcript and award certificate

All applicants must satisfy the entry requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) including having the capability to meet the numeracy requirements of the programme and proficiency in English language and literacy (NMC Future Nurse Standards 2023).

IMPORTANT NOTE

An offer to study is also dependent on the outcome of the selection process and background checks:

• personal interview
• health screening
• membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.

* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:

• native speakers of English
• Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
• non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
• students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country

In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).

UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)

At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:

Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)

• the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.

† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information). 

IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)

RESEARCH DEGREES

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 6.5
• no sub-test score of less than 6.0

HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
• score of at least 6.5 in writing

PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test score of less than 6.5

BIOMEDICAL DEGREES

For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test less than 6.5

SOCIAL WORK DEGREES

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 7.0
• no sub-test score of less than 7.0

CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• overall score of 5.0
• no sub-test less than 4.5

OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS

UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.

Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

• 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
• 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
• English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).

Find out more about our English language Courses.

Part 1 of the programme comprises the following core modules:

• Integrated Human Development (core, 20 credits)
• Self, Society and Nursing (core, 20 credits)
• Health and Society (core, 20 credits)

In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2010) students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 1 before progressing to Part 2.

This equates to students having met NMC Progression Point 1 Criteria together with 60 credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the first progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.

These criteria cover:

• Safety, safeguarding and protection of people of all ages, their carers and their families
• Professional values, expected attitudes and the behaviours that must be shown towards people, their carers, their families, and others

Achievement of Part 1 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:

• Completion of safeMedicate™ (100% Pass)
• Evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Platforms and Proficiencies for Part 1
• Achievement of Pass in Practice Learning Experiences PLE 1 & 2

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• 60 credits at SCQF Level 11

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 1 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Students meeting the academic progression criteria will be entitled to a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Studies if exiting the programme prior to completion. The PgCert Health Studies award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Successful completion of Part 1 of the programme allows you to proceed to the Part 2, which consists of the additional following core modules:

• Resilience in Health (core, 30 credits)
• Managing Mental Health Care (core, 30 credits)

In order to meet the NMC standards (NMC, 2010), students must successfully complete all theory and practice elements of Part 2 before progressing to Part 3. This equates to students having met the NMC Progression Point 2 Criteria together with 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 11. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The NMC has identified skills and professional behaviours that a student must demonstrate by the second progression point. These criteria must normally be achieved during the students Practice Learning Experiences.

These criteria cover:

• Working more independently, with less direct supervision, in a safe and increasingly confident manner
• Demonstrating potential to work autonomously, making the most of opportunities to extend knowledge, skills and practice

Achievement of Part 2 NMC Progression Point Criteria also include:

• Ongoing evidence of progression and achievement of the NMC Platforms and Proficiencies
• Achievement of Pass in Practice Learning Experiences PLE 3 & 4

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• 120 credits at SCQF Level 11

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 2 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

Students meeting the academic progression criteria will be entitled to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Health Studies if exiting the programme prior to completion. The PgDip Health Studies award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Successful completion of the Part 2 allows you to proceed to the Part 3 of the programme:

• Research and Practice (core, 60 credits)

AWARD OF MSc Mental Health Nursing

Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2010) and 180 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to Award of MSc Mental Health Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as a Mental Health Nurse.

Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:

• Completion of all NMC practice hours
• Evidence of achievement of the NMC Platforms and Proficiencies
• Achievement of Pass in Practice Learning Experiences PLE 5 & 6

Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors have declared achievement of the required NMC Platforms and Proficiencies for Part 3 of the programme (NMC, 2018)

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• 180 credits at SCQF Level 11

AWARD OF POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGDIP) MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

Students who have met the NMC Standards (NMC, 2010) and 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 will progress to the Award of Post Graduate Diploma Mental Health Nursing and be eligible to enter the NMC Register as a mental health nurse. Any student not meeting these requirements will incur a period of programme interruption and will be supported to complete Part 3 in line with the University Assessment Regulations.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Achievement of NMC Standards for Part 3 and includes:

• Completion of Part 3 NMC practice hours
• Evidence of achievement of the NMC Platforms and Proficiencies
• Pass Practice Learning Experience clinical assessments in PLE 5 and PLE 6
• Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor have declared achievement of the required NMC Platforms and Proficiencies (NMC, 2018)

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• 120 credits at SCQF Level 11

AWARD OF POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGDIP) HEALTH STUDIES

Students who accrue 120 credits at SCQF Level 11 and either do not achieve the NMC Standards for Part 3 or do not complete the programme will be entitled to a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Studies. The award is academic and carries no professional recognition from the NMC.

Our ongoing assessment strategy aims to support learning and has been designed to assess your knowledge of nursing at SCQF Level 11. The strategy also ensures that the professional requirements for competency to enter the NMC professional register are achieved.

 The programmes embrace a variety of teaching and learning strategies which include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, self-directed learning, professional development planning and reflection.  

A recognised innovative feature of the programmes is the approach of clinical simulation whereby students can practise nursing skills in artificial healthcare environments/community environments (Skills Labs) with patient simulators that are interactive and can replicate human anatomy/physiology and clinical signs of developing illness. The Communication/Multi-sensory Suite and the Domus initiative will also be used for skills demonstration practice and evaluation within the programme. Through clinical simulation, students can practise in a safe, realistic environment. Activities can be recorded and students engage in facilitator debrief, peer review and self-review in order for them to identify their level of competence accurately and most importantly identify errors. This method of learning provides a crucial preparation for PLEs and real patient encounters and consequently students can more readily identify and address learning opportunities that are safe and therapeutic.  

Academic staff facilitate learning in the skills laboratories through the use of small group teaching and assist students to develop nursing skills through the simulation of clinical events. Reference material, clinical guidelines and policies/procedures for laboratory-based modules will be delivered via e-learning in conjunction with tutorial support.

UWS Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors

Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject. 

View our Programme Specifications & Module Descriptors