Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
A nurse comforting an older woman sat on a sofa with her head in her hands.

The Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) course is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career where you can support people with their mental health.

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

B760

Start date

September 2025

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

The course aims to help equip you with the hands-on clinical and care skills to prepare you to practise autonomously and compassionately, providing person-centred and compassionate care and support for service users to be physically safe and emotionally secure.

  • You’ll spend up to 50% of your time on clinical practice placements5 in a range of healthcare environments such as within the NHS in hospitals and community placements, at private hospitals and independent care providers.
  • Study and develop specialist skills in communication, comprehensive health assessment, equality and issues related to professional practice.
  • All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.

 

 

Why you should study this course

Mental health nursing is a values-based and very rewarding profession working with children, young people and adults of all ages with a variety of mental health problems and from numerous cultures and backgrounds. These specialist nurses are usually based in hospitals or work in the community, for example, in community services, in-patient facilities, specialist forensic mental health services, residential care and patients’ own homes.

This course aims to develop your knowledge of mental health, various disorders and innovative nursing care approaches. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and competence to understand the experiences of people with mental health problems and to assist and facilitate their journey to recovery.

You will gain hands-on experience with real service users under supervision from qualified practitioners, spending 50% of your time on clinical practice placements5. These will take place in a range of healthcare environments within the NHS in hospitals and community placements, at private hospitals and independent care providers.

Placing equal value on practice and theory, undertaking 800 hours of both per year, you should study a wide range of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology and research methods. You’ll become immersed in learning about the needs of populations, individuals, related health and nursing services with an emphasis on using research to enhance and improve services.

The course focuses on integrated care for people with mental health needs in a variety of settings. You should develop skills in communication, health assessment, professional practice, evidence-based practice, knowledge of public health and policy, and legal and ethical issues.

The collaborative curriculum, which you’ll study alongside students from our other health-related courses, has been developed in response to the need to produce professionals who are effective communicators, caring and compassionate, with good relationship-building skills. It recognises the importance of inter-professional working within the health and social care workforce.

1st

Coventry University ranked 1st for Mental Health Nursing

Guardian University Guide 2023

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council

The course is currently fully accredited by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for 2023/24 and, providing you also meet the NMC requirements, on successful completion you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (additional costs may apply).


How can we help?

How can we help?

Chat with an advisor now or leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Every CU Scarborough nursing graduate secures local work

Each and every nursing student who graduated from CU Scarborough last year has now found work within local NHS services.

Find out more about this achievement
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What you'll study

The first year prepares you for further study and facilitates the understanding of the core principles which underpin mental health nursing. From the offset, you are introduced to the impact of social determinants, cultures and environmental factors on the nursing industry. This introductory year aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key issues and problems in the contemporary development of learning disabilities nursing. You’ll explore biological and pharmacology principles, the industry context and nursing basics providing a solid foundation for progression into years two and three.

Modules

As the course progresses, you will seek to build on the knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. At this level, you’re working on more complex issues and advancing your capability of autonomous working. Enhancing your fundamental understanding of nursing theory, you’ll put your knowledge into practice in a number of interactive modules. You will explore different pathways of care, therapeutic approaches, and evaluate decision making established on evidence collation.

Modules

Your degree culminates with a literature review related to one aspect of nursing practice, equivalent to the standard dissertation, for which you will be required to write a 4,000-word report. Past students have covered topics as diverse as the link between childhood trauma and adult mental health, suicide prevention in adolescent care, cannabis and psychosis, dementia and music therapy.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course uses a wide variety of stimulating approaches to teaching and learning to suit individual learning styles. All modules are mandatory to enable you to demonstrate the knowledge, values and skills to be able to work within integrated care settings and enhance the delivery of care for service users, their families and carers after successfully completing the course.

Gaining experience using simulation across a range of care settings is aimed at building your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations. You can practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment. We may also use actors to enhance these experiences in scenarios such as breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict, management of actual or potential aggression, teaching and child protection conferences.

Teaching methods include interactive lectures with associated seminars, skills lab activities and practical placements.


Teaching contact hours

As 50% of the course is practice-based, this requires 40 hours per week when you are on placement5. Over the duration of the course, you will have around 20 contact teaching hours per week, however this can vary. This will consist of lectures, seminars, workshops, practical skills training and online classes and tutorials. In addition, you will be expected to undertake approximately 20 hours of private study each week, which could include group learning and online activities.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

Assessment methods vary and may include:

  • Coursework
  • Practical placement
  • OSCE (observed structured clinical exams)
  • Presentations
  • Assessed discussions
  • Formal examinations

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BCC excludes General Studies
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English, Mathematics and Science
BTEC DMM in a Health, Sport or Science subject
Access Diploma 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Health units plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
IB Diploma 27 points with 14 at Higher

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. Applicants are expected to show academic attainment at the required level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective teamworking in delivering excellent patient care. That’s why you will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process.

All offers are subject to satisfactory health clearance, enhanced disclosure and barring service/criminal conviction checks5 and a successful interview.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed.

You may also want to consider studying a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. Applicants are expected to show academic attainment at the required level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective teamworking in delivering excellent patient care. That’s why you will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process.

All offers are subject to satisfactory health clearance, enhanced disclosure and barring service/criminal conviction checks5 and a successful interview.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - as UK per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£19,850 per year
Not available

All eligible home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home students), if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

You’ll be able to make use of our simulation facilities4. You will use equipment found in the real world of practice, such as medical devices to assist with all elements of care including medication administration, to help build confidence before you go on placement.

Mock hospital ward

Gaining experience using simulation across a range of care settings is aimed at building your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations. You can practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment.

Realistic scenarios

We may use actors to enhance your experience, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations including breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict and aggression.


Careers and opportunities

During your three years on the programme you will undertake six mandatory placements (two in each year) in a range of service settings, working with and alongside qualified mental health nurses, and therefore potential local and regional employers. These are sourced by the university5.

After successfully graduating from this course, you can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (additional costs apply), which enables you to practise immediately if successful.

As well as helping you to find suitable work placements and give you advice on how to get the most out of them, the university can support you when you are ready to begin your professional career for the time you are registered as a Coventry University student.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

Where our graduates work

Some of our graduates find employment as qualified nurses in the NHS with a growing emphasis on community settings, in acute hospitals, military nursing or within the private and independent healthcare sector, in private hospitals, nursing or care homes. As your career progresses, a number of options are open to you as a lecturer or specialist practitioner, advanced nurse practitioner, consultant nurse or manager. You could specialise as a primary mental health worker and work with children, adolescents or women, for example.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in such settings as child and adolescent mental health services, regional forensic units, early intervention psychosis, older adult care and acute in-patient care.


How to apply

Applications open for this course in May 2024. Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU198B

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

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