Nursing (Mental Health) (Conversion)

BN Full-time

Course Overview

UCAS code: 3120
Duration: 16 months
Study type: Full-Time
Napier code: 72123BD

This course has been developed to give you both an academic qualification and the vocational training to become a registered nurse. You will first learn the theory of nursing through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, group work and online support. We aim to provide you with the learning, teaching and assessment experiences that will allow you to become a reflective graduate with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute positively to nursing practice.

Please note it is not possible to apply for deferred entry for any of the nursing courses.

All of the Nursing Shortened Programme for Graduates (SPG) and Conversion courses are at undergraduate level.  Applications must be made through UCAS: http://www.ucas.com

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Forming part of our Bachelor of Nursing suite of courses, this 16-24 month, dependent on recognition for prior learning, conversion course gives nurses registered in other brances the opportunity to specialise in Mental Health Nursing.

This course has been developed to give you both an academic qualification and the vocational training to become a registered nurse. You will first learn the theory of nursing through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, group work and online support.

There are organised sessions for you to learn in a simulated environment before going on to your placement in hospital or community settings within the Lothian and Borders area. Your placements (which are 50% of your course content) will help you relate the theory learnt in the classroom to real life practice. On placement you will be supported by a mentor who will supervise you and assess your achievement.

We aim to provide you with the learning, teaching and assessment experiences that will allow you to become a reflective graduate with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute positively to nursing practice. We support you to become competent, knowledgeable, and skilled in mental health nursing care. You will graduate ready to work in hospitals and in the community.

This course attracts a substantial, non-means tested, bursary.

You will develop your professional knowledge and understanding in the field of nursing. Cognitive skills will be taught, and you will learn how to apply your knowledge to practical situations. You'll gain communication, team working and problem solving and decision making skills. Overall, you will acquire the skills needed to demonstrate your eligibility for registration with the NMC as a nurse, including:

  • care, compassion and communication
  • organisational aspects of care
  • infection prevention and control
  • nutrition and fluid maintenance
  • medicines management across all fields of practice.

What's it like?

Includes a one year job guarantee, within Scotland, from the Scottish Government.

Career prospects

We are one of the top universities in Scotland for graduate employability, with over 93% of our graduates in jobs or further study six months after graduating.

This qualification will give you excellent career prospects, in hospitals, voluntary organisations and the community. It includes a one year job guarantee, within Scotland, from the Scottish Government on successful completion of this course. Almost 100% of our graduates have gone on to gain employment, particularly within NHS Lothian and NHS Borders. However, you will also be able to work anywhere within the UK and EU, and in some cases even further afield.

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What's involved

Modular learning

Our courses are structured by modules which gives our students a flexible learning programme. Modules covered by this course:

On offer

Campus life

World class facilities


Developing our students, both professionally and personally, is at the heart of all learning at Edinburgh Napier and is embedded in our approach to Learning, Teaching and Assessment. We put the employability of our graduates at the core of everything we do and we are regarded as one of the Top 10 Universities in the UK for graduate employability.

We are proud to be investing £100m to provide some of the very best teaching and learning facilities and there are plans for a new student union in 2012/13.


Why I chose Edinburgh Napier

Requirements at a glance

Entry to the course

International students

Full-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study (per year)

The fees listed are stated per annum.

Part-time study

The number of modules studied is dependant on the exit that you wish to achieve, for example:

  • A Grad Cert is 60 Credits (3 modules)
  • A Cert HE/Grad Dip/ HND is 120 credits (6 modules)
  • A Dip HE credit is 240 credits (12 modules)
  • A Degree is 360 credits (18 modules)
  • An Honours Degree is 480 credits

Please note that some part-time courses give modular exemptions for previous study and vocational experience. Advice is available during application.

Part-time study (per module)

  • A Postgraduate Certificate is 60 credits (3 modules)
  • A Postgraduate Diploma is 120 credits (6 modules)
  • MBA is 180 credits

Fees Table

Fees displayed are correct at the time of publication but the University Court reserves the right to make changes in fees at any time, and without notice, before or after the student's admission to the University.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and will rise each year during your programme of study, at least in line with inflation.

Funding your study

We have lots of funding options available such as the postgraduate tuition fee loan for Scottish & EU students, specific scholarships for students from India and Africa, as well as bursaries & grants for those closer to home in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Visit our funding pages to find out what you could be eligible for.

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