BSc Nursing (Mental Health)

Why study

Mental Health Nursing at Aberystwyth? Our academic staff are registered nurses and allied health professionals, many of whom are also practising clinicians, providing an exceptional combination of theoretical rigour, professional insight, and practical expertise. We have very strong links with Welsh health boards ( Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board, Swansea Bay University Health Board ) opening up clinical placement opportunities for you in a variety of settings in both urban and rural locations.

Meanwhile, the nearest hospital, Bronglais General and Gorwelion is located in close proximity to our Healthcare Education Centre. By taking a person-centred approach to care delivery, you will initially focus on meeting people's essential care needs and, as you progress through your second and third years, you will develop the skills and capabilities to assess, provide and manage the complex care needs of individuals and groups of people. Students’ clinical and academic skills are developed within a strong and established system of support through personal tutors in the Health Care Education Centre and clinical mentors in placements.

Placements are embedded into the programme to enable you to develop your clinical skills. You will experience a range of clinical settings which may require you to travel out of the local area of Aberystwyth. To develop your skills in academic writing, reflection, critical thinking, and decision making, a small group approach to learning is adopted whereby you are supported by your personal tutor.

This is complemented by lectures, online activities, individual tutorials, directed study, and skills-based learning in the Healthcare Education Centre’s Clinical Skills Unit. Learning in the Healthcare Education Centre at Aberystwyth is enhanced by our newly established Clinical Skills Unit, a simulation suite where you can learn and practice clinical skills in a safe and supportive environment. Our facilities which include the clinical suite allows you to put your theoretical knowledge into practice in an environment that reflects as closely as possible the actual conditions that you will experience when you go on placement in a hospital or community setting.

You can study 50% of your nursing degree through the medium of Welsh and you may be eligible for financial support from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. Our practice-based module is supported by Welsh speaking Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors. You can complete your clinical assessments through the medium of Welsh.

If you’re a non-Welsh speaker and wish to learn Welsh, we offer basic conversational health-related Welsh lessons within the programme. If you are a UK student who can commit to working in Wales for two years after graduating, you could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme, as well as maintenance funding of up to £4,491 and a reduced rate loan from Student Finance. Non-UK students may be eligible for the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme providing they have the appropriate visa status i.e., Indefinite Leave to Remain and are required to have resided within the UK for 3 years prior to the course.

EU Nationals who have and maintain settled or pre settled status in the UK and Irish Nationals will also remain eligible for the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme. However, to confirm if you are eligible to receive the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme, please see further information from NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. Please visit the NHS Funding webpage to check your eligibility for funding before applying.