BSc (Hons)Registered Nurse (NMC 2018) Degree Apprenticeship - Mental Health
- 2026
- 2027
Course overview
The Registered Nurse - Mental Health apprenticeship can help you gain the knowledge, expertise and the clinical experience to become a skilled, thoughtful and authentic mental health nurse who is confident you are making a positive difference to people lives and the wider communities you work within.
This apprenticeship is underpinned by Solent's BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing, and has been designed to encourage future nurses who have a compassionate, caring and recovery focussed approach to patient care, whoever and wherever that patient may be. We promote nursing as a dynamic profession that requires continual curiosity, enquiry and growth and we encourage students to develop reflective habits, seek feedback and engage in lifelong learning.
Nurses uphold high ethical standards, display professionalism and understand their accountability. We help foster skills to promote strong moral reasoning, confidentiality, integrity, and the ability to advocate for everyone - this course has been designed key clinical practice partners with valuable input from service users and people with lived experience of health and social care services. Our stakeholders remain central to the delivery of the course and their regular feedback informs development and ensures the curriculum remains relevant in an environment which moves at pace.
We want our learners to be future focused and aware of the global response to disease, cyberattacks and acknowledge their part in a healthcare system that is both sustainable and environmentally aware. Over the course of the degree programme, you will use a range of reading, writing, numerical and information retrieval skills to develop your digital skills, preparing you for a healthcare world where electronic health records, telehealth, digital medicines management platforms and data security are already key services supporting the nursing role.
The curriculum is aligned to the Nursing & Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency for Registered nurses (2018) and the Standards for student supervision and assessment (2023).
For successful completion of this apprenticeship, you are required to undertake an end point assessment (EPA). This is organised once your employer is satisfied that you are working consistently at, or above, the level set out in the occupational standards for a registered mental health nurse. The assessment is woven into your final summative placement.
During your course you will complete a practice assessment document that will demonstrate you have completed the required skills for registration as a nurse. The EPA is designed to show your understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you will have gained in the seven platforms of the assessment document.
Any questions?
Contact the apprenticeships team
Email:Â
For employers
Apprenticeships can add value at all levels of your business:
- Upskill your staff with industry relevant qualifications.
- Drive an increase in productivity.
- Promote long-term loyalty and reduce staff turnover.
- Reduce the cost of qualifications and training.
- Develop staff with a minimum of interruption to day-to-day operations.
- Offer genuine opportunities for personal development.
For apprentices
Here's what a higher or degree apprenticeship can offer you:
- A combination of on-the-job and academic study which is relevant and applied.
- A continued wage and contract of employment which includes all the same benefits as any employee.
- A higher or degree qualification which is recognised, transferrable and the same level as if achieved through traditional study routes.
- A debt free future with zero tuition fees. (Please note, as apprenticeships are funded by employers, apprentices are not eligible to apply for Student Loans Company loans)
- An opportunity to develop new skills and progress within your industry.
What does this course lead to?
Registered Nurses can undertake nursing roles in primary, private or acute care, both in the UK and overseas. Graduates could also pursue a career in charity or aid work, or within the armed forces or the prison service.
With further experience, future careers can include advanced practice nursing and non-medical prescribing, nurse education, teaching, and healthcare management, such as charge nursing, lead nursing and consultant nursing. Many nurses have gone on to secure roles in health and social care management roles across the private, voluntary and independent sectors.
Who is this course is for?
This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to pursue a career to become a Mental Health Registered Nurse within the NHS, private or community healthcare services.
We welcome applications from people with all kinds of life experiences and at all stages of life.
For more information about careers in mental health and the professional standards of practice and behaviour for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates, please refer to the Code of Professional Standards issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Facilities
Throughout your studies, you'll have access to our specialist nursing facilities, including two nursing simulation suites with a six-bed ward, a GP consulting room, a nurse's treatment room, a care home bedroom, and a range of clinical equipment including a full range of interactive and dynamic simulation mannequins.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms and sports halls in our Sports Complex.
Come to an open day
Fancy a sneak peek? Take a look around!
Meet the team
Your nursing course is primarily delivered by Registered Nurses who bring with them a breadth of experience from cross health and social care to ensure you are taught by a team who are up to date with current methods and strategies underpinning the current health and social care workforce.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
What you'll study
Core modules
Scientific Principles for Nursing Practice
This module introduces you to the scientific foundations of nursing practice, combining essential knowledge of anatomy and physiology with psychological perspectives on health and wellbeing. You will explore the structure and function of the human body across major systems, developing an understanding of how physiological processes support life and respond to illness or injury. You'll also be introduced to the concepts of taking, tracking and escalating observations, recording them using foundation numeracy and digital skills required to support your first placements.
Health Assessment and Wellbeing
This module introduces you to public health with health promotion and prevention components, enabling you to build an early understanding of how health is shaped by biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Nurses are central to reducing health inequalities, promoting wellbeing, and preventing illness across diverse populations and emphasis is placed on health promotion and selfcare strategies for society, enabling you to recognise how nurses can empower patients of all ages to monitor and maintain their own wellbeing while recognising the social determinants of health.
Contemporary Nursing Practice
In this module you'll gain the essential foundation skills required for entering the profession of nursing, focusing on the development of professional identity, communication skills, and ethical practice. You will explore key nursing theories and develop the central communication skills required to build compassionate, respectful, and effective relationships with patients and service users from diverse backgrounds. You'll also be introduced to fundamental clinical nursing skills and provide you with basic physical first aid and basic life support.
Portfolio: Nursing Practice 1 Mental Health Nursing
In this module, you'll focus on achieving the NMC proficiencies in Practice by attending placements in a range of practice areas. The module is designed to provide you with the essential foundations of the Registered Nurse and will equip you with the professional, legal and ethical knowledge required for this highly regulated role. You'll be prepared for stepping into the health and social care environments as a student nurse and achieving a solid foundation of fundamental care skills by the end of your first year.
Successful apprentices will graduate with a:BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
How you'll study
You will learn through block teaching - you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Essays
- Reflective accounts
- Written assessments
- Case studies
- Individual presentations
- Practical activities
- Written exams
- Practical exams
Students are assessed through a combination of academic assignments and occupational standards assessments. Coursework assignments can include presentations, essays, exams, case studies, practical assessments, and reflective accounts.
Apprentices area also expected to go through an end-point assessment within three months of completing the course.
Find out more
Fees and finance
Businesses with an annual payroll above £3million will be classed as a levy paying employer and will be able to use funds accrued in their digital apprenticeship service (DAS) account for payment of the training. Please contact us for guidance on fees if you are a non-levy employer which will cover at least 95% of the costs.
- The maximum funding drawdown for this course is: £26,000
Apprentices pay nothing towards their course fees
The course fees will be covered by your employer.
Optional Costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice you'll earn while working and studying towards your degree.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Entry Requirements
To study for an apprenticeship, you must be employed and have a contract that will cover the duration of your apprenticeship.
All apprentice applications need to go through apprenticeships@solent.ac.uk in the first instance. Applicants will be expected to provide the following documents during the onboarding process:
- CV
- Job description
- Maths and English certificates - GCSE/GCE/Functional Skills*
- Completed skills assessment (template provided by Solent's apprenticeships team)
- Passport/visa (showing access to public funds if non UK passport), or birth certificate
- Share code to show immigration status if applicable
Please note: if any certificates are from outside of the UK, you will need to have a Naric Equivalency Statement alongside the certificates.
Maths and English delivery to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 can be provided for some courses and should be discussed at onboarding stage if you do not have Maths and English certificates at Grade 4/C and above.
- Successful applicants may be able to transfer credits from another course or experiential learning. Recognition of prior learning must be capable of being mapped to the standards of proficiency for registered nurses and programme outcomes, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the programme. Applicants who hold registration with the NMC as a nurse may be able to transfer more than 50%.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you must:
- have a contract of employment that spans the length of the apprenticeship
- hold a UK passport, or if you are a non-UK national, have valid passport and Share code to demonstrate residency
- have lived in the UK for the past three years
- have access to public funds (residency status/visa status)
Ready to apply?
If you are an employer or a potential apprentice and would like to have an in-depth conversation with us about potential opportunities, please email apprenticeships@solent.ac.uk.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship offers a unique blend of work experience and academic study. Candidates on an apprenticeship will work a paid job while simultaneously working towards a relevant qualification in their chosen field.
Apprentices are employees with a contract of employment that must cover the duration of the programme being studied. Apprentices have guaranteed time from their employer to complete their studies, at a minimum of six hours a week, known as off-the-job training hours. The University will provide each apprentice with a tracker to ensure these off the job hours are logged to demonstrate compliance with this funding rule.
Higher and apprenticeships
Solent offers a diverse range of higher and degree apprenticeships, some of which will include an additional qualification that will be studied within the Apprenticeship Standard, eg: HNC, BA or BSc.
Our apprenticeships give employees the opportunity to upskill in their chosen field or retrain for a new career while working.
Employers will see an increase in knowledge and skills, improved productivity, and a boost in the expertise of the workforce.
Find out moreThinking of applying?
Visit us on campus and explore Solent University by registering for one of our apprenticeship events.
Come to an open daySupport at Solent
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Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.
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