Mental Health Nursing - BSc (Hons) *
Currently viewing course to start in 2027/28 Entry. Switch to 2026/27 Entry
This course is being reviewed for 2027. It will remain NMC approved but there may be some changes in structure and delivery. Your journey to becoming a confident, compassionate, and future focused nurse starts here. The BSc (Hons) Nursing Course has been designed to enable you to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2027, January 2028
- Subject
- Location City South
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
It always starts with a reason. A moment that makes you realize you want to show up for people when they need it most. In the UK, there are over 750,000 nurses and midwives forming the backbone of the NHS and wider care system. At Birmingham City University, you become part of that story. As one of the largest providers of undergraduate nursing education in the UK, BCU is helping shape the workforce the country depends on, not just with skills, but with patience, empathy, [music] and courage. Here you learn how to step into the hard moments, the ones that stay with you long after the shift ends. Every person we care for is different. Every story, every smile, every challenge. [music] With our practice-based learning, you don't just learn how to care, you learn how to lead. In the West Midlands alone, thousands of nursing students train each [music] year to support one of the UK's most diverse and fast growing populations, making a real difference in the communities around them. Some days push you, we practice, we repeat. [music] We get it wrong. We get it right together. Then you look around and realize you're part of something bigger, stronger, and making an impact. Nursing doesn't stay [music] inside hospitals. Across the UK, over half of all patient care happens in community and primary care settings, reaching classrooms, community centers, and care homes every single [music] day. Join our community and make a difference. Search BCU nursing.
This course is being reviewed for 2027. It will remain NMC approved but there may be some changes in structure and delivery.
Your journey to becoming a confident, compassionate, and future focused nurse starts here.
The BSc (Hons) Nursing Course has been designed to enable you to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses. When you successfully complete the course, you will be eligible for entry onto the NMC register in one of the four fields of nursing: Adult, Children, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health.
The course integrates evidence-informed education and high-quality practice learning environments to shape nurses who will lead, advocate, and innovate within diverse health and social care environments whilst meeting the complex needs of people, families, and communities across the lifespan.
The course will equip you with the practical skills, knowledge and experience you need to become a confident professional nurse. Your time is evenly balanced between campus-based learning and practice learning experiences, ensuring strong confident integration of theory to practice.
On the mental health nursing course, you will develop the knowledge, skills and values you will need to meet the mental health and physical needs of a diverse population.
Once registered as a nurse with the NMC, you could choose to work with people in hospital and community settings as well as in their own homes across a variety of specialisms, including child and adolescent services, mental health services for adults or older people, forensic settings for offenders with mental health problems, or perinatal services.
What's covered in this course?
Practice Learning Experiences
Your practice learning experiences will be based in a variety of settings such as in the community; primary care; social care settings; hospital or in home environments. Practice learning environments will be in the main in the Midlands and at locations where you can be exposed to the learning required.
Your professional practice modules will run across each year of your course and in parallel to your theoretical modules to support strong integration and application of theory to practice. You will be prepared for practice learning to ensure you feel confident when entering each stage of the course.
Teaching and Learning
You will experience excellent, innovative, learning, teaching and assessment experiences using technology to enhance your learning, through lectures, seminars and group work. Practical skills sessions and simulation will underpin your learning, supporting you to regularly apply theoretical concepts in a variety of different ways. Engaging with practice partners and people who use services throughout the course is also integral to our approach.
Virtual learning is critical to being able to perform in today’s increasingly digitally supported healthcare systems, therefore your digital literacy and development are explored within online and virtual learning environments. Online learning will be independent, guided and directed, allowing for flexibility of learning.
Accredited By
This course is approved by:
Why Choose Us?
- Funding - Nursing students who are eligible for a student loan will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs. Download the funding FAQs
- Experience different placement opportunities - benefit from our excellent relationships with medical institutions including the NHS and private, voluntary and independent sectors for your work placements.
- You will study at our City South Campus where we’ve recently invested nearly £5 million to update our skills and simulations facilities, complete with real-life hospital environments (wards, operating theatre), basic and advanced life support training facilities and simulation equipment to practice your practical skills.
- Learn from experienced mental health practitioners, who will be there to support and guide you every step of the way.
- Strong links with some of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, including Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and Forward Thinking Birmingham. These partnerships provide unique experiences and the opportunity to build a network of invaluable contact
- Student finance - have you already had a student loan to study an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second degree in nursing? You may still be eligible for funding.
Clearing Open Days
Join us for our next Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Days: 15, 17 and 18 August
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Developing Your Nursing Identity: Skills for Academic and Professional Growth 20 credits
Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing Assessment 20 credits
Principles of Mental Health Nursing 20 credits
The Nurses Role in Health Promotion and Reducing Health Inequalities 20 credits
Professional Practice 1 in Mental Health Nursing 40 credits
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Advancing Academic Skills and Professional Development in Nursing 20 credits
Acute and Crisis Care in Mental Health Nursing 20 credits
Assessing and Providing Care for People with Long-Term Conditions in Mental Health Nursing 20 credits
Nursing Leadership and Advocacy 20 credits
Professional Practice 2 in Mental Health Nursing 40 credits
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Research and Quality Improvement in Nursing 40 credits
Mental Health Nursing Care for People with Complex Needs 20 credits
- Early Childhood Nursing Practice: A Community Perspective
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Emergency Care in Adult Nursing
- Introduction to Project Management and Innovation in Healthcare
- Postural Care
- Understanding Needs and Supporting Autistic People Across the Lifespan
- Positive Behavioural Support
- Foundations of Adult Critical Care Nursing
- Introduction to Tissue Viability and Wound Care
Professional Practice 3 in Mental Health Nursing 40 credits
Download course specification
Download nowAdditional support
If you have a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia or ADHD), a disability, a long-term health condition or mental health difficulties, our support teams provide advice, information and practical support (such as reasonable adjustments). Engaging with our support teams early on in the application process means that the University is more likely to be able to implement support before your arrival at University. If you require reasonable adjustments in your placement setting, early disclosure will assist the University in securing suitable placements wherever it reasonably can.
Further study
Nursing provides the opportunity for lifelong learning and the BSc (Hons) Nursing award forms the basis for progression onto further study.
Many opportunities exist for post-registration and postgraduate study. As a graduate, you may progress to a masters degree, e.g. Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice, PhD.
A comprehensive portfolio of post-registration courses called Continuing Professional Development is available. These courses allow for academic and/or clinical development.
Many of the courses are taught as part-time flexible modules to fit around your work and domestic commitments.
This course is approved by the following organisation:
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2027/28.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
Applicants will also need to complete an interview for this course; see interview arrangements below.
If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Foundation Year instead. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearance
Enrolment on the course is subject to:
- an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check
- Occupational Health Clearance.
After the initial check, students will be required to self-declare and re-enrol each year.
If you have any queries, please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions, Occupational Health Clearance information or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk.
It is important that you complete DBS and Occupational Health requirements as soon as possible once your offer is confirmed, to ensure that you have the necessary clearances in place before you start your course placements.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Jan 2028
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
-
TBC
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
-
TBC
- Register interest
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Jan 2028
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
-
TBC
- Register interest
This course offers both September and January start dates. If our places for your chosen start date are full, successful applicants will be offered a place for the next available start date instead.
Please note that applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted, so please apply early to ensure you have the best chance of securing your preferred start date if your application is successful.
You do not need to apply for both intakes as we will consider your application for the first available place if there are no places for your preferred intake.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Employability
You will gain direct exposure to real-world nursing practice across varied NHS and private clinical environments, developing core professional skills and learning through multidisciplinary, interprofessional experiences.
Assessments and practice learning are mapped to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses, ensuring you meet all requirements for registration and develop strong employability skills.
The curriculum is shaped collaboratively with students, people with lived experience, and clinical partners. Volunteering, communities of practice, and employability support will help you build your professional identity from the start of the course.
Placements
Placements are a compulsory part of the course.
A placement is your chance to be a part of the working world of health and social care as it really is: your first taste of your career.
Placements help you with your confidence, by putting theory from the classroom into practice. We make sure you get a quality experience and that you are fully supported by a workplace mentor on hand throughout your placement.
Facilities & Staff
Nursing and Midwifery facilities
Take a look around the facilities available to you as a Nursing and Midwifery student at BCU.
Our staff
Dr Paul Millwood
Senior Lecturer and admissions tutor for Mental Health Nursing
Paul has worked in mental health nursing and nurse education for 34 years, with his time in practice being spent in community and specialist forensic mental health settings for children and adolescents. Following completion of his mental health and adult nurse training in the 1980s, Paul worked in a number of senior clinical nurse specialist...
More about Paul