Nursing - Dual Registration in Children and Young People and Mental Health

Year 1

Students in all fields will study the core themes of nursing, sciences, health, and practice learning. They will explore values-based professional, compassionate and family-centred care, health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and learn the essential skills to deliver safe nursing practice in a variety of settings in today’s multi-cultural environment.

Year 2

The core themes advance to a more complex level. Students in all fields will develop their ability to link and apply theory to practice, providing care to people who may be at any stage of life and who may have a range of mental, physical, cognitive or behavioural health challenges.

Year 3 

Year 3 allows students to focus more on integrating the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for working autonomously in Children and Young People’s nursing. The themes from Years 1 and 2 will be explored at a more complex level. Management, leadership and research skills in the healthcare environment is a key focus. 

Year 4

Students focus more on integrating the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for working autonomously in Mental Health nursing. Themes from Years 1 and 2 will be explored at a more complex level and will be assessed at level 10. Again, healthcare management, leadership and research skills are a key focus.

Learning Methods

How long is a Dual Registration degree?

The BSc (Hons) Dual Registration degree is taught over four years and each year has three terms, with 45 weeks of the year, either in University or on placement in health and social care settings. In each year you will study four modules, one practice learning and three theory modules, which are distributed equally in terms of time and divided up throughout the year.  In Year 4 you will study alongside Year 3 students in your secondary field of nursing but with assessments at level 10. 

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 220 students per group
• Tutorial - 30 students per group
• Practical class or workshop - 30 students per group
• Placement / Work Based Learning - Students per group varies on placement, equivalent to 37.5 hours per week

Independent Study

Self-study, including learning in practice, is an important factor in your success. The modules of this course are delivered face-to-face and online. You will be expected to engage with online learning, access and complete all elements, and work independently through guided directed study. Strong organisation and self-direction skills are essential.

Clinical Simulation

A key part of the course is experiencing real-life clinical situations in a realistic and safe simulated environment. Using volunteer patients and a range of facilities across campus, you can practice your nursing care and deliver within various scenarios.

Watch our video on simulated learning:

Staff Delivering on This Course

A large percentage of Lecturers who teach on this course are registered Nurses themselves. They have a wide-range of experience from varied healthcare settings and have educational and research experience. As 50% of the course is delivered in practice, the School has strong links with all practice partners and some of the University teaching will be undertaken by nursing and healthcare staff who work locally. We also have Technology Enhanced Advisors who support all our teaching and learning activities.

Many of our staff contribute nationally to enhance nursing and within the University are recognised by students within the STAR awards.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 1 practical skills assessment
• 1 computer aided exam

Year 2

• 1 written exam, typically for 2.5 hours
• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 3

• 1 written exam, typically for 2.5 hours
• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 project output
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 1 written exam, typically for 2.5 hours
• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 1 project outputs
• 1 practical skills assessment

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

This course offers a practical learning experience with 50% of your time spent on placement.  We have strong partnerships with healthcare providers so we can offer a diverse range of high-quality practical learning opportunities.

You will undertake practice learning experiences from Year 1 giving you valuable experience across a range of urban, remote and rural clinical settings in a range of geographical locations including Grampian, Highland, Orkney and Shetland, and each placement is the equivalent of 37.5hrs a week.  The course comprises of an equal balance of theoretical and practice-based learning, ensuring a varied and challenging range of learning opportunities.

You will also learn within dynamic collaborative working teams which may consist of Doctors, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Radiographers, Social Workers, Social Care Workers, Carers, Charities and Volunteers.

• Year 1 has 3 placements
• Year 2 has 3 placements
• Year 3 has 2 placements
• Year 4 has 2 placements

Study Abroad

In Years 2 and 3 there are opportunities to have an overseas experience such as an exchange visit to one of our overseas partners or attending an overseas conference. This is a perfect opportunity to experience healthcare provision and education in a different country and meet other local and international students.

Job Prospects

Is studying this Dual Registration course a good career choice?

You will have eligibility for NMC registration in both Children and Young People and Mental Health fields which will increase your employability particularly in the very remote and rural areas including the Islands as the skill mix addresses local healthcare needs. Dual Registration is also seen to have value in general practice, emergency and unplanned care, child and adolescence mental health services and eating disorder units.

You will have the potential to work in the UK as well as abroad across a range of health and social care settings in hospital and community general or specialist services, outpatient departments, in people’s homes, health centres, schools and voluntary agencies.  For further nursing careers, visit NHS Careers

What is needed for a Nursing - Dual Registration in Children and Young People and Mental Health degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: BBBC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths or Applications of Maths and a science subject are required at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BCC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths and a science subject are required at GCSE grade C or above if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H3H3H3 to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths and a science subject are required at grade O3 or above if not held at Higher.
• IB Diploma: 27 to include Higher Level English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).  English, Maths and a science subject at required at Standard Level if not held at Higher

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BBC/BCCC to include English or a written subject requiring the use of English. English, Maths and a Science subject are required at National 5 grade C if not held at Higher. 

Alternative Qualifications

• HNC in a related subject e.g. Healthcare Practice, Social Services, Applied Science, Social Sciences accepted in combination with other qualifications
• HND in a related subject e.g. Healthcare Practice, Social Services, Applied Science, Social Sciences accepted on its own
• Advanced (SCQF Level 6) Healthcare (NESCOL) or NC Level 6 in Health and Social Care (other college providers) accepted in combination with other qualifications                   
• SVQs/NVQs (level 3 and above) accepted in combination with other qualifications   
• QQI/FETAC level 5 – at required grade and in relevant subject area accepted in combination with other qualifications
• Equivalent overseas qualifications

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of 7.0 with a score of 7.0 in all elements apart from writing where minimum score is 6.5 Appropriate equivalents will be considered.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees.

All Students

• The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
• Costs associated with your placement / study abroad
• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing

Additional Cost for International Fee Paying Students

• Approximately £65 for uniforms (including polo shirt for clinical skills)
• Approximately £300 to £500 for occupational health checks. Actual cost will depend on the immunisations required
• £52 for Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) check

Student Funding

If you are a Scottish resident  you can apply to SAAS for funding.

Nursing and Midwifery students who meet the criteria are entitled to a non-income-assessed bursary which is administered through the Student Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS). 

Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website: