Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship

Enabling you to be a registered mental health nurse, to help clients take the first steps to changing their lives
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult)

How to apply

The potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Assessment (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the Apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs. On completion of the INA the University will assess the information provided and determine the next steps. 
To request the Initial Needs Assessment please contact apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk
 
Applications for September 2023 are now open
INA Submission deadline is Friday 30 June 2023.

Fees and funding

  • Apprentices do not pay any course fees.
  • By studying a degree apprenticeship, students will obtain a full honours degree registrable with the NMC and not incur any costs.
  • Fees are paid for by the employer.

Funding models

There are currently two funding models:
  • fully funded: Levy paying organisations
  • co-funded: Non levy organisations and Levy who have exceeded their Levy contribution. 

Course cost 

Estimated course cost £27,000 for three year route and £18,000 for shortened programme – final fees pending.
Example of costs for funding model based on 2018 fees:
Fully funded
If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please contact us.
Employer contribution £27,000.
Apprentices contribution £0.
Co-funded
If you are a non-levy paying organisation (the annual pay bill of your organisation is less than £3 million) or you are a Levy organisation who has exceeded their pot, the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training – they will contribute 90% of the costs and the employer will contribute 10%. 
  • Government contribution £24,300.
  • Employer contribution £2,700.
  • Apprentice contribution £0.

Experienced Health Care Professionals – shortened degree apprenticeship

GCSE's: GCSE grade C/4 (or equivalent) in mathematics and English.
Functional skills level 2 mathematics and English will be considered as an alternative.
Foundation degree: Completed a relevant FdSc programme leading to Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate status (or equivalent) with an overall grade of 60 per cent or higher.
Experience: 800 – 1150 hours in a relevant clinical practice.
Evidence of learning within the last five years.

Three year degree apprenticeship

GCSE's: 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including mathematics, English and Science at grade C/4 or above.
Functional skills Level 2 mathematics may be considered.
Plus one of the following Level 3 qualifications below: 
UCAS tariff: 104 – 120 UCAS points from a minimum of two A levels (excluding General Studies).
Access Course: Passed a named Access to Higher Education Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, 33 at merit/distinction which must include 15 Level 3 credits in Science/Social Science/Psychology/Sociology. 
BTEC National Diploma
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall to include a minimum of two higher level at 4 (preferably from Biology/Human Biology/Applied Science). 
 
In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required.
You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
Evidence of learning within the last five years.
Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
Please note: equivalent qualifications may be considered, please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.

Information for employers

At the University of Plymouth we understand some of the challenges employers have in developing and retaining highly skilled employees and we are excited to be offering the Registered Nurse (Adult Health, Child health, Mental Health) Degree Apprenticeship, which has been designed to offer a flexible degree level work based learning programme which meets the standards set by the NMC and which It aligns with Health Care Employers strategic objectives and goals around workforce planning.

Typically, the programme is offered over three years, however experienced health care practitioners with relevant experience and qualifications (800 – 1150 hours clinical experience, mathematics and English minimal level 2 functional skills and relevant FdSc programme leading to Assistant Practitioner/Nursing Associate status or equivalent with an overall grade of 60% or higher) can complete the programme within 18 months to two years.

This programme meets the standards set by the NMC, we are in the process of re-approval based on the 2019 NMC standards, as part of re-approval we are offering a full time and part time flexible programme.

Degree apprenticeships in practice

Your apprentice will have ongoing support of an academic tutor for the duration of the programme as well as receiving guidance and support from their mentors during clinical placement.

Your organisation will be supported by a named nurse academic and our apprenticeship manager who is responsible for the contractual and tripartite arrangements with the employing organisation.

They will be able to guide you through the contractual process and will arrange to meet with the apprentice and a representative from your organisation on a 12 weekly basis. As per NMC requirements the apprentice will be supernumerary for the duration of the programme and will be required to have clinical placements in a variety of settings.

Fees and funding

Funding models

There are two funding models:

  • fully funded
  • co-funded.

Levy paying employer

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account and is fully funded by you as the employer. Once you have exceeded the spend on your Levy account you will then move to the co-funded model where you will pay 10% of the cost and the government will co-fund this by 90%.

Non levy paying employer

If you are a non-levy paying organisation the government will financial co-fund your apprenticeship training by contributing 90% of the costs and you will support this with the remaining 10%.

Additional financial incentives:

Employers with fewer than 50 employees will have 100% of the training and assessment costs covered when training a 16-18 year old (or 19-24 year old formerly in care or has Local Authority Education, Health and Care plan. The government will pay £1,000 to employers, and a further £1,000 to training providers if they train a 19-24 year old leaving care or who have a Local Authority Education, Health and Care plan. By studying a degree apprenticeship, students will obtain a full honours degree, at no cost to the individual. Fees are paid by the employer and supported by government funding (up to 90% of the cost).

Course fees

Total course cost £27,000 for three year route and £18,000 for shortened programme. Note: to be confirmed for 2019

Example of costs for funding model:

Fully funded

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please make contact with us.

Employer contribution £27,000, pending confirmation of 2019 fees.

Apprentices contribution £0.

Co-funded

If you are a non-levy paying organisation (the annual pay bill of your organisation is less than £3 million) or you are a Levy organisation who has exceeded their pot, the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training – they will contribute 90% of the costs and the employer will contribute 10%.

  • Government contribution £24,300.
  • Employer contribution £2,700.
  • Apprentice contribution £0.

Find out more

For further information contact Enterprise Solutions at the University of Plymouth on enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk or +44 800 052 5600, to be put in touch with the relevant Degree Apprenticeship Account Manager.

Programme overview

Mental health nurses have a unique and profound impact on the lives of the people they care for, building and maintaining therapeutic relationships across all aspects of people’s lives. Undertaking the BSc (Hons) Nursing degree apprentices in Mental Health with the University of Plymouth will enable you to achieve a bachelors honours degree and register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in mental health, enabling you to progress on to a rewarding career and work in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally.
During the programme you will develop the clinical and communication skills required to support the individual within their own recovery process. You'll develop the knowledge and experience to work within community, primary and acute care settings, and gain the confidence to help clients take the first steps to changing their lives. Alongside preparing you to be an expert mental health nurse, our course recognises that all nurses need to be able to work with people suffering from physical health conditions and learning disabilities across the lifespan. We will give you a broad range of knowledge and skills pertinent to all the fields of nursing. This will include detailed knowledge of physical health care and essential physical nursing procedures as well as the skills to work with people who have learning disabilities.
The flexible four-year part time degree recognises the challenges a full time programme presents to some prospective apprentices. Both the full time and part time degree comprises of three parts. Each part is delivered over approximately 12 months for the full-time programme and 16 months for the part time programme.
Apprentices studying the full time programme are supernumerary for the duration of the programme engaging in academic learning (theory/supernumerary practice).
Apprentices studying part time will engage in academic learning (theory/supernumerary practice) three days per week, with the remaining two days per week working as an employee in your substantive role. This flexible and accessible degree gives you the option to study at our Plymouth Campus, our Knowledge Spa Campus, Truro and our School of Nursing in Exeter. 

Programme details
Year 1

Your first year introduces you to being an accountable professional, whilst developing the knowledge and skills required to become a confident, academic and independent learner. You will gain an understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care. A range of effective therapeutic interpersonal skills to promote engagement and helpful collaborative person-centred conversations will be nurtured within the theory and the two practice components during the year. You will be introduced to the importance of assessing, planning, providing and evaluating health and wellbeing in a broad range of contexts. You will learn and develop the values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the first NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.
Core modules:
  • NRS410: Being an Accountable Professional
  • NRS411: Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
  • NRS412: Assessing Healthcare Needs
  • NRS413: Planning Nursing Care
  • NRS414: Applied Human Biology Across the Lifespan
  • NRS415: Providing and Evaluating Care

Year 2

In your second year you will be introduced to research methodology and methods in order to develop your knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. You will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions to support nursing interventions. Your knowledge and understanding of co-ordinating care for complex health needs will be developed, as well as in relation to public health, policies and legislation. You will become a knowledgeable practitioner with an understanding of pharmacology and safe practice in the management of medicines. The theory and two practice components of the year will develop your values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the second NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.
Core modules:
  • NRS501: Applied Pathophysiology
  • NRS502: Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making 
  • NRS503: Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health 
  • NRS504: Pharmacology and Medicines Optimisation
  • NRS505: Co-ordinating Care for Complex Health Needs
  • NRS506: Developing Nursing Practice

Final year

Year three allows you to critically explore the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. You will extend your knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. Within four field specific modules you will develops knowledge and skills in a range of key therapeutic approaches for working with people with serious mental health problems or complex needs, and appropriate service approaches. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the ‘lived experience’ of those engaging with mental health and social care services and develop your competence in nursing clients with complex needs in a range of care settings. You will build on and develop the values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the final NMC progression point. Your final module will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to perform as a capable and autonomous practitioner, fit for registration in your field of nursing practice. 
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Rebecca Richards 
BSc (Hons) Nursing – Mental Health

"Do it, but know why you want to: you’ll need that when you're up all night, or stressed out. It's not an easy course; it challenges and changes you in a lot of different ways, so you have to want to be there."
Rebecca Richards
Inside of Roland Levinsky Building