
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with NMC Registration
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: Uxbridge
- Duration: Three Years
- Start Date: September 2023 and January 2024
Mental illness requires just as much care as physical illness – sometimes even more so. As a mental health nurse, you’ll be crucial in helping people get their lives back on track. You’ll learn from our experienced lecturers and technicians using state-of-the-art simulation facilities, coupled with time out on clinical placement.
This combined learning approach of theory and practice will prepare you to provide safe, compassionate care and become a confident nurse. Upon completion of the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for admission to Nursing & Midwifery Council.
The teaching is incredible, we have a 72 hour turn around on responses which is great to know that your lecturers will get back to you so quickly if you have any problems. They’ve done amazingly at making sure everyone is able to access the teaching, no matter what difficulties they may have.Jasmine Ashraff

Student nurses shortlisted
BNU students have been named a finalist across four categories in the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards.

Tips for your Nursing Selection Day
People forget that nursing isn’t just about your stellar grades and achievements, it’s about who you are as a person and the selection day digs a little deeper into what makes you tick and why you chose nursing.
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.

Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
To support your studies, the UK Government are continuing to provide mental health nursing students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year which will not need to be paid back. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Once you graduate from this course, you'll be able to join as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), which enables you to practice in the UK.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
At Buckinghamshire New University, from your very first welcome, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly, like-minded students and staff – all passionate about nursing and healthcare.
We've been running nursing programmes for many years and students benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University. Our lecturers maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is always kept up to date.
You will receive personal tutoring and also be able to take part in our annual one-day inter-professional conference, focused on safeguarding. In addition, guest speakers regularly deliver sessions for students within the University to ensure we give a diverse range of views and experiences to our students.
At BNU, we recognise roles in this field are hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences throughout the course using our specialised facilities at our Uxbridge campus. This will enable you to recreate authentic scenarios and practise your skills in a safe environment.
Alongside your studies, you will take part in a range of clinical placements with our NHS partner hospitals and homes. We work with a range of partners across the region and our students are highly respected whilst out in practice. We consistently see a high rate of employability after completing the course, with 98% of our students either in employment or further study six months after graduating (HESA 2020). Many of our students are employed by the Trust that they worked with during their time at the University.
As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students’ Union giving you access to a wide range of services that we offer for free as part of our exclusive Big Deal package – including joining the Nursing Society. We are the only university in the UK to offer our members free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities, allowing them to experience new things, socialise with broader groups of people and boost their employability – all to enrich your university experience.


What facilities can I use?
At our Uxbridge campus, we utilise state-of-the-art simulation facilities for learning, development and practicing of skills – our purpose-built wards include real equipment, just like you’d find in hospital.
Simulation is an important aspect of our nursing and healthcare programmes. You will regularly spend time in the simulation labs, taking part in realistic scenarios to practise a broad spectrum of technical skills in a safe and supportive environment
We offer a free campus-link bus service between our Uxbridge and High Wycombe campuses, meaning you’ll be also be able to use everything our High Wycombe Campus has to offer too.
What will I study?
We believe in giving you the best chance for employment when you graduate, so our courses are carefully designed to ensure that you’re equipped with everything you need to start your career.
During your time on the programme, you will understand the theory behind diagnosis that can help you to make crucial decisions when looking after a patient. You will be able to lead changes in practice, improving the quality of delivery of care.
On placement, you’ll be able to put your theory into practice where you’ll be mentored in the art of patient care.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This programme integrates academic and practice learning underpinned by collaboration between practice partners and the University. It adopts a student-centred approach, enabling the development of the required knowledge, skills and professional values required to deliver compassionate, safe and effective nursing care.
Students spend approximately half of their programme learning in clinical practice and the other half with the University. We work closely with a number of NHS Trusts and independent care partners in the region to provide students with clinical placements – view the full list of partners we work with.
When you’re on campus, your academic study will be undertaken through varying modalities including seminars, lectures, simulation and virtual learning. Our team of experienced and dedicated lecturers have a collective wealth of knowledge from working in a number of areas, including:
- child mental health
- dementia
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- community mental health care
- acute mental health inpatient care.
Across the three years, you will be assessed through a number of means:
- Year 1: Reflective assignment, presentation and exams.
- Year 2: Academic poster presentation, assignment and exams.
- Year 3: Literature review/work-based learning project, reflective assignment, OSCE and exams.
You are also required to complete the knowledge skills and behaviours included in the Practice Assessment Document in each year of practice.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 112 - 136
The requirements for this course are equivalent to:
- A level grades at BBC or above
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at DMM
- International Baccalaureate at 30 points
- FETAC / QQI 5 Distinctions in health care-related subjects
- Access to HE Diploma in Nursing qualification (Minimum 60 credits overall with 12 Merits and 30 Distinctions at Level 3 and 15 Credits at Level 2 at Pass)
You will also need 5 GCSE’s including Maths, English and Science at grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
Relevant experience
All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of academic study within the last five years and Health Care experience is an advantage but not essential.
If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with at least 7.0 in Writing, 7.0 in reading, 7.0 in Listening and 7.0 in Speaking. For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
If you’re looking to study this course then we will require an overall PTE score of 58, with a minimum of 50 in all areas.
Interviews
As well as meeting the stated academic requirements, shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an online interview (Subject to current Government Guidelines) as part of the selection process to ensure that your values match those of the NHS Constitution.
All offers are subject to Academic, satisfactory Occupational Health and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is an opportunity for prospective students to gain credits for their previous study. It avoids you having to duplicate your previous learning, whilst ensuring students have attained the learning outcomes appropriate to their awards.
You might be considered for APL if you have successfully completed any of the following programme in the last 5 years. Please refer to our Credit Accumulation pages for further guidance.
- FDSc Nursing Associate with NMC Accreditation (Apprenticeship or UCAS entry route)
- FDSc Assistant Practitioner (Apprenticeship or Direct entry route)
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Foundations of nursing and evidence based healthcare
Health and Social Care in a Contemporary World
The Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing Practice
Year 2 Modules
Approaches to Research; methods, appraisal and application
Public Health in Action
Developing Mental Health Nursing Practice
Year 3 Modules
Innovations in Evidence-based Nursing
Leading and Co-ordinating Care
Leading Complex Care in Mental Health Nursing Practice
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024
£9,250 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024
£16,000 per year
NHS Learning Support Fund
To support your studies, the UK Government are continuing to provide mental health nursing students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year which will not need to be paid back. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising and skilled leaders and support you in your search to find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
On successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council. With this qualification, you may find employment within the NHS or with private healthcare providers.
Opportunities for mental health nurses are continually expanding and you'll have the chance to go into many areas, such as:
- general practice surgeries as a mental health nurse
- community settings, for example home treatment team and recovery service
- nursing homes
- mental health services
- forensic mental health services including high secure services
- private health care providers
- prison nursing
- Armed Forces
- teaching and assessing roles
- working abroad
- researcher – promoting advances in health care and health promotion practice.
You can also choose to stay on at Buckinghamshire New University and study one of our postgraduate or professional courses or choose from our range of short courses to continue your professional development.
Course leader



- Associate Professor Education and Professional Practice
- Associate Head of School: Nursing and Midwifery
















