Nursing (Mental Health)

Entry requirements

The MSc Mental Health Nursing programme recognises that prior learning and experience is integral to the student’s learning.

ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• A first honours degree (normally 2:2 or above) in any subject
• English Language and Maths GCSE at grade A* - C (discuss with admissions team if you have equivalent qualifications)
• We welcome applications from international students. You can find more information on studying at Keele as an international student, here.
• 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 degree documentation.
• 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.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 770 hours paid healthcare experience (approximately six months full-time work).
• Please note that you will be required to have obtained the academic entry requirements before applying.
• If you do not have all the advertised entry requirements please contact us to discuss your graduate studies and care experience on an individual basis at nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk

ADDITIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• All applicants are required to make a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) claim to demonstrate how their previous care experience and graduate studies have equipped them to undertake an accelerated nursing programme. RPL to the MSc nursing programme will be 770 hours practice and 770 hours theory = 1540 hours.
  
  Applicants are required to provide a portfolio of evidence and to confirm the relevance of your theoretical knowledge and practice experience, applicants are required to map their evidence to the programme learning outcomes, NMC Platform Proficiencies.
  
  An opportunity to attend a workshop and documentation will be provided to support this process following successful interview.
• All applicants must be of good health and good character.
• All applicants selected at interview will have a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check as well as Occupational Health Clearance.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Please note, all course information including entry requirements relates to the 2022/23 academic year.

The MSc for the mental health field of nursing will develop nurses who underpin their practice with best evidence and have the ability to practise using high-level interpersonal and clinical skills within a recognised, values-based framework, which promotes recovery. As mental health awareness becomes increasingly prevalent in society, we prepare students to work with individuals of all ages, with a range of mental health experiences, in diverse settings. Please note applications for this programme are made via UCAS.

If you're a highly motivated graduate with care experience who wishes to become a registered mental health nurse and gain an MSc in an accelerated two year timeframe, the MSc Nursing graduate entry programme is perfect for you.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) introduced new educational standards, which identified the importance of parity between mental health and physical health care (NMC, 2018a). The Mental health nursing field welcomes this and recognises that the lifespan of people with mental health problems is shorter compared to the general population (DH, 2011; Nash, 2010). The mental health field will develop a nurse who is culturally competent, empowered and able to work in partnership with service users, their families and the wider community.

The programme builds your academic skill sets, professional responsibility and technical complexity related to patient care throughout the two years. Successful completion of this innovative programme will ensure you will meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The programme meets the NMC standards for pre-registration nursing education. The NMC (2018a) reviewed their standards with the publication of ‘Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses’ and this programme reflects the comprehensive range of subject knowledge, clinical skills and leadership required of the registered Nurse from September 2020. This programme also meets the requirements of the Higher Education (HE) quality standards. Quality Academic Assurance Standards (QAA) are also met through the Frameworks for HE qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies (QAA, 2014), and the Higher Education Credit Framework for England (QAA, 2008).

The Keele ‘Future Nurse’ MSc Nursing programme has been designed to meet the seven NMC platforms, which underpin pre-registration nursing education (NMC, 2018a). These require you, regardless of your chosen field, to demonstrate core knowledge, skills, standards, behaviours to meet people’s needs, as well as field-specific knowledge and skills as required in either adult, children’s, learning disability or mental health nursing. Two NMC annexes (A and B) detail extensive communication skills and clinical procedures, which are also included in the programme:

• Platform 1: Being an accountable professional.
• Platform 2: Promoting health and preventing ill-health.
• Platform 3: Assessing needs and planning care.
• Platform 4: Providing and evaluating care.
• Platform 5: Leading and managing nursing care and working in teams.
• Platform 6: Improving safety and quality of care.
• Platform 7: Co-ordinating care.
• Annexe A: Communication and relationship management skills.
• Annexe B: Nursing Procedures.

We aim to facilitate your development to become one of the best post-graduate nurses in the country. To achieve this you will develop a skill set which includes:

• Deliver safe, competent, evidence-based nursing practice
• Adopting professional values, attitudes and behaviours
• Developing your interpersonal skills
• Effective team-working
• Improving management and leadership skills
• Demonstrate competence in research and be able to successfully manage a project

Information for international students

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.

Fees and funding

For information related to fees and funding, please visit the individual course page on the Keele University website.