Mental Health Nursing students and staff talking in Hipps Cafe, Medical School, QMC

Nursing (Mental Health) BSc

Medical School Building, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Study an innovative nursing course and launch your career with confidence. Mental health nursing is a transformative profession, empowering individuals facing mental illnesses at every stage of life.

As a mental health nurse, you'll work in diverse environments, from hospital settings to homes, offering support and care to your service users and their families.  At the University of Nottingham, we recognise the challenges and rewards of mental health nursing. Our course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to progress in this field.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Biosciences Applied to Nursing (1 and 2)

Mandatory

Year 1

Clinical Learning (1 and 2)​

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Professional Nursing

Mandatory

Year 1

Evidence Applied to Nursing Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

Biosciences and Introduction to Pharmacology

Mandatory

Year 2

Psychosocial Influences on Health

Mandatory

Year 2

Clinical Learning 3​

Mandatory

Year 2

Clinical Practice: Application of Learning​

Mandatory

Year 2

Using Evidence to Improve Nursing Practice​

Mandatory

Year 2

Leadership for Nursing

Mandatory

Year 3

Preparing to Prescribe​

Mandatory

Year 3

Advanced Clinical Learning – mental health field

Mandatory

Year 3

Development of Management and Leadership Skills​ for Practice

Mandatory

Year 3

Extended Literature Review​ (dissertation)

Optional

Year 3

Year three optional modules

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Friday 5 July 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Teaching is delivered through a mix of in-person and online methods.  

Examples of teaching methods include:  

  • Case-based learning 
  • Clinical reasoning sessions 
  • Clinical skills sessions 
  • eLearning 
  • Lectures 
  • Placements 
  • Practical classes 
  • Problem-based learning 
  • Self-study, Seminars 
  • Small group learning 
  • Tutorials 

Assessment methods vary from module to module, but may include:

  • Case studies
  • Clinical exams
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Coursework
  • Written exams
  • Literature review
  • Presentations
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Formative assessments
  • Poster presentations
  • Workplace-based practice assessment

You can expect between 12 to 24 hours of contact time per week, with an additional 12 to 24 hours of independent self-guided study each week.  

You will be required to complete a minimum of 2,300 hours of clinical supervised practice throughout your degree programme (to meet the professional regulatory requirements). During this time you can expect to be working full-time (approximately 37.5 hours), with some weekend, evening and night work also required. 

All our BSc and graduate entry nursing courses are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). After successfully completing any of these courses, you will be eligible to register with the NMC as a registered nurse.

Graduate destinations

You will have the experience needed to work within the NHS, private healthcare or within the voluntary and independent sector. You may also choose to pursue a career in teaching, research or management.

98.30% of undergraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £25,798.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Laboratory staff helping second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Course data

Open Day June 2022