Our BSc (Hons) Nursing - Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) (Mental Health) allows you to invest in your workforce by combining university education, work-based learning and ongoing professional development. While working as valuable team members, your apprentices can develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to give care, advice and support to people with mental health needs.

Key information

Award:

BSc (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

3 years

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS points:

104

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

PLEASE NOTE: At present, this apprenticeship is only available to current employees of The Priory Group (a private healthcare provider), Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. We are unable to offer this course to the general public. Please only contact the programme leader for further information about this course if one of these trusts directly employs you or if you represent an employer that wishes to work with the University of Bolton to offer apprenticeship training.

Our BSc (Hons) Nursing - Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) (Mental Health) is designed to support the development of confident, professional nurses able to deliver and lead mental health care within an ever-changing health and social care environment. Your organisation can offer structured on-the-job training and a nationally recognised qualification in nursing, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Your apprentices will be able to put their new skills and understanding into practice immediately, benefitting your organisation and the communities you serve without delay.

This programme has been fully mapped to the Registered Nurse Degree (NMC 2018) Apprenticeship Standard (ST0781), and studying with the University will complement learning in your workplace. We'll work with you to devise individual learning agreements for each of your apprentices, ensuring they fulfil the apprenticeship criteria and develop additional skills and knowledge valuable for your organisation.

Our passionate and knowledgeable staff will support your apprentices as they learn to care for adults with acute and long-term mental health needs in hospital and at home, and gain expertise in health promotion and disease prevention. Upon successfully completing this qualification, your apprentices will possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform as independent, highly competent, compassionate nurses who can be trusted to maintain professional standards and protect the public.

If your employee is a qualified nursing associate or assistant practitioner, then they may be able to join this course at Level 2 (HE5) and top-up their existing foundation degree to achieve the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) and complete the degree apprenticeship in two years or less. This well-recognised route for healthcare practitioners recognises and values their prior learning and experience and allows them to take on full nursing responsibilities more quickly.

If you're looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don't work for an employer that offers apprenticeships, please see our related courses section for details of study opportunities that don't require current employment.

Highlights

The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). On successful completion, your apprentices will be eligible to apply to register as qualified nurses.
When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this RNDA, they will receive a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body and be awarded an academic degree – the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) from the University of Bolton.
We take a blended learning approach using a range of different teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, problem/enquiry-based learning, e-learning, and peer learning and assessment. Clinical skills and simulated learning are also embedded throughout the programme.
Face-to-face training is an essential part of this apprenticeship. In-person sessions and one-to-one support are offered by professional expert academic tutors who come from a wide range of clinical and academic backgrounds.
Face-to-face sessions are held at suitable locations identified and agreed with employers. Some organisations have access to hospital-based teaching facilities that are ideal for training apprentices. We're happy to discuss your organisation's needs and help you identify suitable teaching, learning and assessment facilities. Alternatively, your apprentices could attend their face-to-face sessions at the University of Bolton. Our expert team deliver teaching across the University's sites, including the modern state-of-the-art facilities in Bolton One. We currently have four clinical skills suites and plan to expand this provision further across the University's sites.
We'll guide your apprentices as they gain key skills, values and behaviours, including professional curiosity, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, leadership, research and critical reflection, partnership working, self-care and resilience, record keeping, and workload management.

Key Features

Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work closely with your apprentices, providing them with tailored help and support on an individual basis throughout their studies.
Qualified healthcare practitioners contribute to each of the modules. They are invited as guest speakers so that apprentices have the opportunity to learn from their first-hand examples of current practice.
We also work to help your apprentices appreciate the views of health and social care service users and carers by involving them throughout the course.
Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your RNDA apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.

Professional recognition

The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

On successful completion of the programme, graduate apprentices will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the NMC.

Successful apprentices will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) from the University of Bolton and a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body.

104 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Health and social care-related subjects are preferred.
Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and preferably Science. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
Qualifications gained outside England and Wales will be assessed on an individual basis according to guidance by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) route may be used for entry. If your apprentice has already successfully completed an FdSc Nursing Associate programme approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council or an FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner) qualification, then they may be eligible to apply for exemptions towards the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health). If they apply to join the degree at Level 2 (HE5), they may make a claim for recognition of prior learning (RPL) up to a maximum of 50% of the programme. Please note that they will be required to produce a portfolio of evidence towards this RPL claim. Please contact us for further details.
Each candidate will be considered and selected on an individual basis by both the employer and academic staff.
After successful short-listing, applicants will be invited to take part in our values-based recruitment process. The interview process will involve face-to-face interviews with academic staff, practice staff and service users. Applicants will also be assessed on their values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills, and undertake a numeracy and literacy assessment. We're seeking apprentices who can demonstrate commitment to a nursing career, have excellent communication skills, and are caring, compassionate and courageous.
Applicants who are successful at the interview stage will be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check by their employing organisation.
Applicants must demonstrate that they are of good health and good character and satisfactorily pass occupational health screening.
Apprentices will need to demonstrate that they are of good health and good character prior to enrolment and on an ongoing basis throughout their studies and career.
This course involves regulated activity, so applicants must have an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting their studies. This is confirmed with the employer and does not require an additional certificate.
Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, candidates should not normally have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship, unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Nursing - Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) (Mental Health) is designed to meet the Degree Apprenticeship Standard for Registered Nurse (ST0781). Developed by employers, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates apprentices to provide nursing care for people with complex and concurrent mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural care needs.

Upon successfully completing the RNDA, graduates will possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform as independent, highly competent, compassionate nurses. Employers can expect them to have a wide range of transferable skills, such as the ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to customers and their needs. They will be adept at planning and time management, rational decision making, critical thinking, physical assessment, and possess excellent communication skills.

Our RNDA programme also offers a well-recognised career advancement pathway for qualified nursing associates and assistant practitioners. It may be possible for employees who already hold an appropriate foundation degree to top up their qualifications and become mental health nurses in two years or less (the maximum possible exemption is 50% of the programme). This proven route recognises their prior learning and experience and allows them to take on full nursing responsibilities more quickly.

What can I do with this qualification?

Graduate apprentices from this programme should prove valuable to employers across the spectrum of healthcare environments. Within the mental health field, they will be ready to take on roles across a range of acute, community and specialist services.

Upon successful completion of the end point assessment after completing the course, apprentices will be well prepared for a career in nursing and to work their way up to positions of greater responsibility in the sector.

Course fees

Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.

For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.

Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.

Useful information

Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.

For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

Modern healthcare professionals require a range of skills and values. Our tutors will work with your organisation to ensure your apprentices gain experience in various clinical scenarios designed to develop their skills in a safe and supportive environment. Learning focuses on your workplace environment and builds the transferable body of knowledge and skills required to achieve professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a mental health nurse and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will be supernumerary throughout the programme to enable them to achieve the NMC requirements to enter the register and fulfil the required level of off-the-job training specified for apprenticeships by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

The course explores the concepts of mental health within the population, and the key sciences in nursing, including the biosciences, psychology and sociology. Topics such as assessment, care planning, law, ethics and the importance of communication with service users and healthcare colleagues are covered. Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of research and how its application in healthcare can transform the lives of patients and their carers, along with how to access and assess the latest research and incorporate their findings into care plans and intervention strategies.

We'll work to help your apprentices gain key transferable skills, including the ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to customers and their needs. We'll also encourage them to develop planning and time management, rational decision-making, critical thinking, physical assessment and communication skills during their studies. We aim for your apprentices to grow into compassionate, kind and empathetic practitioners who respect and support patient privacy, dignity and individuality, and make safe and effective clinical decisions.

To complement lectures that introduce the course content, seminars and group-based activities allow apprentices to explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials give them the opportunity to clarify their understanding of the topics we cover in lectures and seminars. We use case studies and practical scenarios to help apprentices apply their newly acquired academic knowledge to their nursing practice and gain valuable insights into contemporary healthcare. Apprentices will also be expected to undertake considerable guided independent study; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for seminar and tutorial activities and working on assignments.

To help support your apprentices' learning, the University offers additional study skills sessions, such as essay writing, library skills and electronic searching, and numeracy. Inter-professional health and social care practitioners will also contribute as guest speakers, offering your apprentices the chance to further develop their knowledge and understanding.

A range of assessment methods will be used, including essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, set exercises via multiple-choice questions, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), traditional examinations, and assessment of practice within the practice setting. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and where they need to seek extra support from course tutors.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Principles of Nursing Practice
Managing Health Through All Stages of Life
Accountability and Professionalism
Wider Approaches to Global Health
Enhancing Clinical Skills: Assessing Planning and Providing Evidenced Based Care and Procedures and Interventions
Medicines Management
Coordinating Integrated Healthcare
Embedding Person Centred Care/Evidence Based Approaches
Advanced Clinical Skills and Procedures
Leadership, Management and Quality in Healthcare

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 56%, Practical exams 23%, Written exams 22%
Level two	Coursework 56%, Practical exams 33%, Written exams 11%
Level three	Coursework 50%, Practical exams 25%, Written exams 25%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 20%, Placement/study abroad 50%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30%
Level two	Guided independent study 20%, Placement/study abroad 50%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30%
Level three	Guided independent study 20%, Placement/study abroad 50%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.