STUDY

Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing

Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B760
Start date:	September 2025
Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

Institution code:	S82
UCAS code:	B760
Start date:	September 2025

Duration:	Three years full-time
Location:	Ipswich
Typical Offer:	112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level)

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Overview

Mental Health Nursing students are encouraged to develop skills in independent learning, critical analysis, leadership, management, and decision-making. Students will acquire the knowledge, values, understanding, and skills necessary to care for individuals to enhance their recovery from mental illness and promote mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health nursing entails working closely with individuals to help them achieve self-care and independence within a professional context. This developmental process for the individual being cared for, demands the nurse to possess the highest levels of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

Personal insight and emotional maturity stand as essential attributes of a qualified mental health nurse. This course aims to cultivate both these qualities, recognising them as vital to effective practice.

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health is steadfast in integrating the NHS Constitution Values into every aspect of our endeavours. These values define the conduct and expectations of both our staff and students, serving as the foundation for our work within the University and in practice settings.

This course provides students with an opportunity to focus on the distinct health needs of service users and their families/carers. Nursing inherently involves collaboration with diverse individuals accessing healthcare services, encompassing a wide spectrum of ages and circumstances, including short or longer-term mental health experiences, along with the associated complexities of physical, social, and emotional needs.

Each semester comprises an equal distribution of 50% practice and 50% theory. Students will need to travel across various sites in Suffolk as part of their placements. Hence, access to transportation or a car would be advantageous. Nonetheless, alternative options are available for non-drivers, and the course team can provide additional information upon request.

For further details regarding the University's affiliation with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), please refer to the Professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

14

places climbed in the UK for Mental Health Nursing

(Guardian University Guide 2024)

6th

in the UK for spend on academic services

(Complete University Guide 2024)

2nd

in the East of England for graduate prospects

(Complete University Guide 2024)

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend', more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.

Each semester consists of 50% practice and 50% theory. The focus is to develop core skills and knowledge on meeting the needs of service users and their family/carer(s) as well as promoting health and wellbeing.

Emphasis will be placed on keeping the service user at the centre of care delivery by supporting them to make informed choices and promoting individual recovery and wellbeing. A range of interventions and approaches, that address a wide range of short, acute and longer-term health conditions and that are used by both nurses and other members of the wider health and social care professional team, will be considered.

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Records.

This is a mandatory module of Year 1.

This is a mandatory module of Year 2.

This is a mandatory module of Year 3.

The dissertation module enables students to consolidate their learning throughout the curriculum, and apply the principles of research in an area related to practice enquiry. It further develops students’ understanding on how evidence is generated, retrieved, critically appraised and applied to practice. As a student progresses to registration they will be able to use clinical reasoning skills to guide and inform best practice decisions, and develop evidence-based practice for service users.

This is a mandatory module of Year 3.

This is a mandatory module for Year 3.

Waterfront Building reflecting in the marina

WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024

Group of nursing students — Nursing students

Lift shaft of the Health and Wellbeing Building — Health and Wellbeing building

Community flat stimulation bedroom — Simulation flat in the Health and Wellbeing building

Close-up of a laptop with student listening to heart rate in the background — Hospital wards in the Health and Wellbeing building

Entry Requirements

2024/25

112 UCAS Points (or above)

BBC (A-Level)
DMM (BTEC)
Merit (T Level)
Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Merit grade or above

How to Apply Entry Requirements Explained

All applicants are required to hold five GCSE's at grade C/4 or above including English and Maths at Grade C/4 (or Level 2 equivalents).

Non-Academic Requirements

Any offer of a place will be subject to:

Successful interview
Satisfactory Health check
Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Two satisfactory references

As part of the selection process, you will be expected to demonstrate good knowledge and a clear understanding of the scope of work that a nurse is required to undertake as well as the significance of the NHS Constitution and its core values.

IELTS 7.0 is required and a minimum of 6.5 in each component, where English is not the students' first language. You can read more about our English language requirements here.

Applicants whose first language is not English, but who have been living in the UK for 2 years or more will be expected to hold GCSE English at Grade C or above, (grade 4-9 for the new GCSEs) or the relevant Level 2 equivalent (if applicable).

Please select your country of permanent residence from the list below, specific requirements for your country will then be shown.

International Home

GO TO COUNTRY PAGE

Transferring Credit

If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

Further information on Recognition of Prior Learning

Career Opportunities

Mental Health Nursing students are highly employable and acquire diverse skills during their degree. Graduates can enter various careers, including community, hospital, education, and research settings. Abundant options for ongoing professional development and advancement to higher degree study exist.

Your Course Team

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,250

per year

International Full-time Tuition Fee

£18,380

per year and including placement fee

The decision to study a degree is an investment into your future, there are various means of support available to you in order to help fund your tuition fees and living costs. You can apply for funding from the Spring before your course starts.

UK Fees and Finance NHS Learning Support Fund International Fees and Scholarships

Facilities and Resources

The Health and Wellbeing building provides students with a variety of state-of-the-art clinical simulation facilities, including two simulated hospital wards, a midwifery birthing unit, physiotherapy teaching spaces, a sports and exercise facility and a working radiography imaging suite. The building also hosts the Institute of Health and Wellbeing Research and the Integrated Care Academy.

A student paramedic using phlebotomy training equipment

A nursing student and lecturer using a manual resuscitator bag

How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Apply Now Further Information on Applying

A silhouette of a student in their cap and gown

"The University of Suffolk empowered me to be better, to aim high and to make positive changes. I found people here that inspired me and supported me through my journey."

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Neuron cell in the brain under a microscope

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