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Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Our BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year course prepares you for a nursing degree by exploring modern biology, healthcare and nursing science. With experiential learning, early intensive assessment, and feedback, it enhances understanding of health services.

Simulation and support
At Plymouth, our cutting-edge simulation suites let you immerse yourself in healthcare environments, so you can confidently practise complex clinical scenarios in a safe and supportive setting.

Real experience where it matters
You will gain diverse practical experience by working with healthcare providers across coastal and rural communities in the South West, giving you first-hand knowledge of challenges in healthcare, working as a valued member of the team.

Shape future healthcare
You'll get the opportunity to study with students from other healthcare professions, giving you insight into how real teams come together to care for people. Play your part in shaping contemporary healthcare initiatives and latest research to shape the future of mental health.

This course is for you if...

  • you're committed to making a profound impact on individuals' mental health

  • you are good at building relationships with empathy

  • you're keen to develop clinical and communication skills for mental health care

  • you're a team player ready to shape positive change for people through healthcare.

Modules

Course Modules

Foundation year
This programme offers an opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Nursing starting at year zero as an Integrated Foundation Year.
Students undertaking the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year programme will normally progress to BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health).

Year 1 - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
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.

Year 2 - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
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.

Final year - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
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 develop 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.

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

Assessment method

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B769
Institution code:
P60
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level

32 points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels

T Level
P

Pass (D in the Core element). Health or Science profile preferred but not essential.

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 32

Scottish Higher

32 points

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access Course (Health or Science profile preferred but not essential) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent

Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
MM

Health or Science profile preferred but not essential.

Extended Project

Accepted in combination with other qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 24

Maths and English accepted within

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
PPP

Health or Science profile preferred but not essential.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

32 points. Health or Science profile preferred but not essential.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
C

This would be accepted in combination of other level 3 qualifications

5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths, and Science. Functional Skills Level 2 Numeracy will be accepted in lieu of GCSE Mathematics. Functional Skills Level 2 English will be accepted in lieu of GCSE English Language
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C at GCSE level).

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
Health Checks
Interview

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7With 6.5 in all elements.

Full details of English Language requirements can be found on our website.https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees

  • Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
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