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Mental Health Nursing with Registered Nurse Status

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What you'll need

As part of the application process, you'll need to submit:

  • School or college transcripts/certificates
  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions

Our application process

  • Sign into our online portal, Apply Yourself, and start your application
  • Submit your application
  • We'll email you to let you know we're processing your application
  • Track the progress of your application using the Postgraduate Application Tracker (we'll send you a link to the tracker)
  • We'll email you when a decision has been made
  • If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

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Master of Science

A Master of Science (MSc) is a master’s degree awarded for a postgraduate programme in the sciences.

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Course overview

Gain eligibility to apply for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a mental health nurse on this pre-registration master’s degree. With a grounding in mental health conditions, you’ll discover the professional standards for mental health nurses and how to lead the delivery of compassionate care in hospital, forensic and community settings.

Introduction

This two-year master’s degree equips you with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes needed to become a mental health nurse.

We’ll prepare you to care for individuals across the lifespan, from child and adolescent mental health to conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, the programme will reveal the indivisible link between mental and physical ill health. You’ll discover the principles of mental health nursing practice, local and global determinants of mental health, and how to manage complex care needs.

Your learning will be brought to life through extensive clinical experience, working with patients in a variety of settings, including inpatient wards and forensic and community settings.

Developed in collaboration with leading healthcare providers in the North West, the programme will be taught by experienced, working and registered practitioners. We’ll help you develop into a caring and compassionate nurse, able to support individuals and their families, and ready to lead and coordinate care as part of a multi-professional team.

On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a mental health nurse.

Who is this course for?

The programme is a pre-registration award for graduates wanting to study mental health nursing for the first time at Masters level. Please note, it is not a professional development programme for qualified mental health nurses or a conversion course.

What you'll learn

  • Professional standards for nurses, midwives and nursing associates, as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • Relevant legal, professional regulatory and ethical frameworks
  • Anatomy, physiology, genomics and behavioural sciences
  • Commonly encountered mental health and physical health conditions
  • Local and global determinants of mental health
  • How to assess patient needs and plan, provide and evaluate care
  • How to provide compassionate, evidence-based and person-centred nursing care
  • How to recognise deteriorating health needs
  • Public health principles including the promotion of good health and prevention of ill health
  • Leaderships styles and management skills in mental health nursing
  • Care planning, delivery, interventions and referrals for complex health care needs
  • Collaborative working practices

Accreditation

On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a mental health nurse.

Registration with the NMC is a pre-requisite to practice as a mental health nurse in the UK.

Accreditations in detail

Accreditations

On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a mental health nurse.

Registration with the NMC is a pre-requisite to practice as a mental health nurse in the UK.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Compulsory modules

PRINCIPLES OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE (MNUR700)

Credits: 20 / Semester: semester 2

The Principles of Mental Health Nursing Practice is a Year 1, 20 credit module of the pre-registration Nursing (Mental Health) Programme, delivered across semester 1. This module will provide students with the foundational knowledge, which is fundamental to mental health nursing practice.

Within the module, key elements of nursing practice will be explored, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) professional standards that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must uphold in order to be registered to practise in the UK.
This module is structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Topics also covered will include reflection and health service delivery models, an introduction to health policy and collaborative working practices. Importantly, relevant legal, professional regulatory and ethical frameworks, safeguarding and raising concerns will be incorporated, in order that students have knowledge of the core components of Nursing.

This module also includes anatomy and physiology, genomics and behavioural sciences knowledge to understand human development, commonly encountered mental health conditions and recognising deteriorating health needs to inform person-centred assessments and the planning of care.

In order to set the context for this introductory module of the MSc pre-registration nursing programme, service users and carers will be invited to share their personal healthcare journeys.

Learning and teaching will be delivered via synchronous and asynchronous sessions and assessment will take the form of a written assignment and a video log .

DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING SKILLS FOR PRACTICE (MNUR701)

Credits: 20 / Semester: semester 2

The Developing and Enhancing Skills for Practice is a Year 1, 20 credit module of the MSc pre-registration Nursing (Mental Health) Programme, delivered across semester 1 and will provide students with the knowledge and skills to undertake nursing procedures effectively, in order to provide compassionate, evidence-based person-centred nursing care.

The first practice placement learning opportunity: Practice Placement 1 (10 weeks), scheduled to take place during this first academic year, form part of this module. Students will benefit from practice-based placements across the Cheshire and Mersey region, including Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, whose placement portfolio includes Acute, Forensic (high, medium and low secure), Psychiatric Intensive Care (PICU) and Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Students will be supported in clinical practice by their Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor and their University of Liverpool Academic Assessor.

The theory and skills taught in this module will develop the student’s proficiency in holistic safe practice, in order to assess patient needs and plan care, provide and evaluate care, and work towards leadership and coordinating care utilising a holistic approach to care planning and provision.

Learning and teaching will be delivered via synchronous and asynchronous sessions, engaging a mix of online and classroom-based activities, encouraging both critical reflection and examination of nursing practice. The acquired knowledge and skills will then be consolidated during the ten week practice placement.

The assessments will take the form of a practical exam and a written piece of work, successful completion of the ongoing achievement record which constitutes the practice placement, coupled with assessments which form part of the practice placement.

LOCAL AND GLOBAL DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH (MNUR702)

Credits: 20 / Semester: semester 1

The Local and Global Determinants of Mental Health is a Year 1, 20 credit module of the MSc pre-registration Nursing (Mental Health) Programme, delivered across semester 2, and this module will enable students to understand and apply the principles of public health, health promotion and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people at all stages of life.

The module introduces the student to the global determinants of health, illness and health inequalities. Module content will facilitate students understanding of society’s response to health issues and the influence of this on nursing practice. All students will explore common mental health, physical health and intellectual disabilities across the age continuum. This module will enable the learner to critically appraise and apply knowledge, and information of health outcomes when supporting people and families to manage their health care needs.

The module will prepare students for Practice Placement 2 (11 weeks), where the students will benefit from clinical placements across the Cheshire and Mersey region, including Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, whose placement portfolio includes Acute, Forensic (high, medium and low secure), Psychiatric Intensive Care (PICU) and Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Students will be supported in clinical practice by their Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor and their University of Liverpool Academic Assessor.

The module uses a blended approach to learning, engaging a mix of online and classroom-based activities, encouraging both critical reflection and examination of health promotion practice in relation to holistic, person centred care. Assessment will take the form of a written critical narrative, and the practice placement element.

RESEARCH FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (MNUR703)

Credits: 20 / Semester: semester 1

The Research for Professional Practice module is a Year 1, 20 credit module of the MSc pre-registration Nursing (Mental Health) Programme, delivered across semester 2. It provides the student with the knowledge and skills related to research methods, evidence generation and the utilisation of knowledge in nursing practice and evidence-based practice.
Within the module the theoretical debate around legitimate sources of professional knowledge are explored and students reflect critically on the orthodoxies of what constitutes knowledge in the clinical area and practice-based evidence.

The module uses a blended approach to learning, engaging a mix of online and classroom-based activities, and assessment will take the form of an unseen exam and the completion of an ethics application.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Placement opportunity

This course offers a placement opportunity so you can combine your studies with practical experience with industry professionals. It is a great way to develop key employability skills and get a head start in your career with key industry partners. View more information on the course page.

Explore more about Careers and Employability at Liverpool.

Your experience

The School of Health Sciences provides you with every opportunity to hone your practical skills, with facilities including a virtual reality teaching suite, imaging suite, and a range of clinical practice rooms to facilitate simulated teaching. Our curriculum is developed and assessed by leading healthcare providers throughout the North West, who also provide exciting placement opportunities.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

An exciting place to study

  • Major centre for education and research in health sciences
  • State-of-the-art facilities
  • Opportunities for in-depth study and development of advanced clinical skills
  • Flexible programmes for postgraduate study
  • Active research environment
  • Provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components.

Careers and employability

There are many reasons to consider a career in mental health nursing. It offers you the chance to make a difference to the lives of individuals, their families and their carers and play a vital role in modern health care. You’ll graduate eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a mental health nurse

Career planning

Three career coaches standing outside the Careers Studio

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.

From education to employment

Two graduates in postgraduate robes.

We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.

Networking events

Postgraduate students hold a discussion while sat round a table in in the Liverpool Guild of Students.

You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.

Your future

Owing to the national shortage of mental health nurses, as well as the global demand for British trained nurses, there are many opportunities for graduates to work in mental healthcare settings locally and around the world.

Roles and opportunities in mental health nursing have expanded significantly in recent years in the NHS, with private providers and in the independent and voluntary sectors.

You could pursue a career specialising in areas as diverse as children and young people’s mental health, dementia care, forensic mental health services, or substance misuse.

As a master’s graduate, you’ll be well placed to pursue more advanced roles with greater responsibility. These include working as a:

  • Lecturer practitioner
  • Specialist practitioner
  • Advanced nurse practitioner
  • Consultant nurse
  • Academic lecturer
  • Academic researcher.

Alternatively, you may want to pursue a career in leadership and management or continue your studies at PhD level.

99% of health sciences students from the University of Liverpool find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
International fees
Full-time place, per year £27,200
Tuition fees are for January 2025.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

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Postgraduate Global Advancement Scholarship

  • International students

If you’re a new international student starting this course with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a discount of up to £5,000 off your tuition fees.

This includes £2,500 if you have a first-class degree, or equivalent qualification, and £2,500 if you’re from a Commonwealth country.

Graduate Loyalty Advancement Scholarship

  • Home and international students
  • University of Liverpool current students and alumni only

Completed your undergraduate degree, or studied as an undergraduate exchange student, at the University of Liverpool?

You could get a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off the tuition fees for this course from September 2024 entry.

  • £1,500 tuition fee discount for eligible UK University of Liverpool graduates
  • £2,500 tuition fee discount for eligible international University of Liverpool graduates.

ANID Chile Scholarship

  • International students
  • Chile

Postgraduate taught and research students from Chile are eligible for this scholarship.

Chevening Scholarships

  • International students

The University, in partnership with Chevening, is delighted to offer this generous scholarship to students who are studying a master’s programme and who have future leadership potential. Please note that there is a fee cap applied to MBA programmes that requires applicants to cover any additional tuition costs over £18,000. You will still receive all additional allowances.

CONACYT Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

The University of Liverpool has an agreement with CONACYT to support postgraduate taught and research students from Mexico.

FIDERH Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

20% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate taught and research programmes. Must be Mexico national.

Fulbright Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US and another is available for a postgraduate research student to undertake a three to six month research stay from the US

FUNED Awards

  • International students
  • Mexico

Up to ten awards are available for Masters or Research students from Mexico in receipt of FUNED loans. The award gives students a 20% reduction in fees for all applications received.

Graduate Association Hong Kong & Tung Postgraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • China
  • Hong Kong

The University is able to offer competitive scholarships for both postgraduate taught master’s and research programmes.

HRM Princess Sirindhorn University of Liverpool Scholarship (Thailand)

  • International students
  • Thailand

The University is able to offer one award to a new postgraduate taught master’s student from Thailand.

The scholarship is open to all subjects offered as a one-year taught master’s programme.  However, priority will be given to those students who wish to study in a subject area associated with HRH Princess Sirindhorn such as science, IT, medicine, the arts, geography, history and languages.

JuventudEsGto Scholarship

  • International students
  • Mexico

Residents of State of Guanajuato, Mexico, wishing to study at postgraduate taught and research levels are eligible for this scholarship.

Marshall Scholarship

  • International students
  • University of Liverpool alumni only
  • United States

One scholarship is available for a master’s student from the US to cover the cost of tuition fees. Another, to the value of £20,000, is available for Doctoral study visit: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship

  • International students
  • Turkey

Postgraduate taught and research students from Turkey are eligible for this scholarship, see the Turkish Ministry of Education website https://meb.gov.tr/ for more information.

University of Liverpool Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s Programmes

  • International students

The three awards available cover full tuition fees, visas and support for accommodation and living expenses.

This scholarship is open to support people who have recognised status as either refugees or are under humanitarian protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention. This status must be held outside of the UK.

The scholarship is open for all postgraduate-taught programmes, excluding medicine, dentistry, veterinary and nursing.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

The University of Liverpool will award five University of Liverpool International College students, who achieve the highest academic excellence (minimum 75%) in their UoLIC Pre-Master’s programme, the prestigious UoLIC Excellence scholarship.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

University of Liverpool International College recipients of the Kaplan awards will receive the £3,000 Progression Impact Scholarship, deducted from first-year tuition fees, on successful progression to their UoL degree programme.

To be eligible for our Impact Progression Scholarships, students must apply for one of the Kaplan Impact Scholarships demonstrating their commitment to making an impact across issues of importance to the University and Kaplan. Themes include:

Sustainability
Women in STEM
Community
Career Focus (Employability)

Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship for China

  • International students
  • China

Details are:
1 (one) Full scholarship
2 (two) £10,000 scholarships
5 (five) £5,000 scholarships
10 (ten) £1,000 scholarships
All scholarships will be awarded after the formal registration at the University and will take the form of a fee waiver.

Please note: This scholarship cannot be combined with any other scholarships or bursaries provided by the University.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

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Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

Postgraduate entry requirements

You should include a personal statement of no more than 700 words in support of your application. This should reflect on your understanding of the profession and relevant qualities valuable to a healthcare professional.

Applications are welcome from graduates with an honours degree in any subject. GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics at grade C or grade 4 or above are also required.

An interview forms part of the selection process. The interview follows the values-based recruitment (VBR) process and you will be expected to demonstrate the relevance of the NHS’ values. Literacy and mathematics tests will also be conducted, in line with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning RP(E)L

The NMC stipulate that the training of nurses responsible for general care must comprise a total of at least three years of study, which may in addition be expressed with the equivalent European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. This must consist of at least 4,600 hours of theoretical and clinical training, the duration of the theoretical training representing at least one third and the duration of the clinical training at least one half of the minimum duration of the training.

In order to achieve these hours, successful entry onto the programme includes a portfolio detailing recognition of prior learning (RPL) that amounts to 620 theory hours and 570 practice hours, which must be approved by the relevant RPL assessor. These hours, added to the programme hours, will amount to a total of 4,600 hours. The 570 practice hours should consist of verified prior experience of care provision – this can be through paid work and drawn from one, or a range of, settings in which care of people’s health and wellbeing is provided. This care may include the physical, cognitive, social, learning or developmental needs of children, families or adults.

Demonstration of this experience does not need to be in all areas highlighted here. Alongside working in traditional care environments such as hospitals and care homes, you could also have gained experience as a carer both formally and informally. This can be through paid or voluntary work. Working alongside those who access social care is also acceptable. The emphasis is on the process of providing care for others.

In keeping with NMC guidelines, evidence of such activity will need to be evidenced. Signed verification of these hours by the organisation(s) or individuals involved in the provision/ receipt of care where this work has been undertaken will be required.

In regards to theory, a number of educational experiences may count towards the required theory hours. Courses such as counselling, health and social care courses that can be classed as certified learning will all be considered.

Please note: Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a place on the programme as competition is high. You are encouraged to present the strongest possible application.

Declaration of Criminal Background

You will understand that as a health sciences student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. We therefore need information about any criminal offences of which you may have been convicted, or with which you have been charged. The information you provide may later be checked with the police.

If selected for interview you will be provided with the appropriate form to complete.

Health Screening

The University and the School of Health Sciences has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests. Please visit the Higher Education Occupational Practitioners website for further information.

International qualifications

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new application cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted on the website.

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Why Liverpool?

Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.

Accommodation Postgraduate students walking through the campus.

Accommodation

To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.

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Fees and Finance

Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.

Changes to Mental Health Nursing with Registered Nurse Status MSc

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

23 March 2023: New postgraduate taught course pages

New course pages launched.

18 April 2023: International qualifications update

English language requirements have been updated – IELTS.