Available for January start
Course details
Study options
Full-time: 18 months
UCAS points
112 (September 2025 entry)
Start dates
September, January, March †
Location
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus
St Helena, Chesterfield
The best bits
- Our nursing programmes are approved against the NMC's Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses
- Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Mental Health Nursing
- Gain essential practical experience on a range of placements in different healthcare and community settings
- Benefit from some of the best university facilities of their kind, including our clinical skills suite and our state-of-the-art immersive suite
- Learn from a highly experienced, enthusiastic and research-active team who provide full support to help you achieve your ambitions
- You could be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund which, if you are eligible, could provide a grant for training, childcare costs and travelling to placements
This programme is a holistic learning experience, enabling students to become emotionally resilient and transformational Registered Nurses, equipped to meet the unique challenges of Mental Health Nursing. This is a full-time 18-month course for applicants who already hold a Foundation Degree and are Registered Nursing Associates.
Mental health problems currently affect one in four of the UK population. Working in mental health nursing is equally challenging and rewarding. If you’re caring and compassionate, with exceptional communication skills and a real passion for helping people, this programme is for you. On successful application, students will develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of Mental Health Nursing and recognise the principles of nursing across all fields and across the lifespan. Modules provide the foundation for students to develop a compassionate professionalism whereby they are trusted in the care they provide. Learning will be facilitated through a range of classroom-based activities, skills laboratories and by electronic means such as online learning, web-based training and technology-delivered instruction.
Expertise to inspire you
You'll be supported by enthusiastic and dedicated academic staff who are immersed in their areas of practice and committed to supporting you at every stage of your studies. All academic staff are current NMC registered professionals with some continuing to work in clinical practice alongside their teaching role. The academic team includes renowned professionals whose work features regularly in leading journals and books and who help shape national policies.
This course is mapped against the NMC standards to ensure that your learning is up to date and relevant. In delivering the programme, we respond to national changes such as the latest government policies. As a result, some of the information about the course may change.
Wide-ranging placement experience
A compulsory part of the course is practice learning which equates to 50% of the overall programme in line with the NMC standards (NMC, 2018). Students must complete a range of placements to meet the minimum hours requirement for practice learning and to support the application of theory to practice.
Practice learning is achieved through a variety of placement experiences to enable you to gain essential practical experience by participating in 24-hour care, including weekends and bank holidays. Throughout, you'll benefit from the support of Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors who will help you get as much out of the experience as possible.
Students experience a wide variety of simulated learning activities throughout the programme to prepare for the real world of nursing. This also ensures students continually link theory to practice and feel supported for entering the clinical environment.
First class facilities in Derby and Chesterfield
You can take this course at our Derby Campus or our Chesterfield site. Both offer outstanding facilities, including clinical skills suites built to professional standards, with replica wards, counselling rooms and treatment rooms fully equipped with the latest resources.
As health care is increasingly delivered by multi professional teams, we offer opportunities for you to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines. This is really important in preparing you to work in more flexible ways after graduation. By learning to work together, you can help achieve the best outcomes for patients and service users.
You will participate in learning that is specific to your field but is also co-taught across the four fields of nursing. There is opportunity to study at different academic levels to learn with, and from each other. This provides opportunity to meet the NMC standards whilst replicating professional relationships that you will encounter in clinical practice.
Top15for Mental Health Nursing
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
How you’re assessed
There are a diverse range of authentic assessments within the programme. Assessments are aligned to module learning outcomes and support students to build academic skill and professional development. Assessment feedback and feedforward mechanisms encourage dialogue, provide action plans, and utilise academic, student, and practice support staff where required. This ensures that students are fit for practice, purpose, award, and professional standing on completion of the award.
Each assessment within the programme has the following underpinning characteristics:
- Each assessment has value and distinct relevance to professional nursing practice.
- They support development and progression through the programme.
- Each assessment focuses on supporting students to meet the NMC standards for registration.
- They support the application of theory to practice.
- The assessment process is transparent, and students receive timely and constructive feedback to support their success.
Assessment of practice learning is recorded in the Practice Assessment Document (MYEPAD), which is designed to support and guide students towards successfully achieving the criteria set out in the Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and Standards for Education and Training (NMC 2018). The MYEPAD is a regionally validated document developed collaboratively with other local universities. The University of Derby continues to work in partnership to support a consistent approach to student supervision and assessment.
Who you will meet
You will be taught by qualified health professionals with extensive experience of nursing and leadership roles. They have proven, sustained track records in higher education teaching, with most holding Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy.
Our staff keep up to date with latest developments in the sector by undertaking continuing professional development as part of their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Research is an integral part of our work and we make key contributions to the University’s Health and Social Care Research Centre. There may even be opportunities for you to work alongside our researchers to gain an insight into the value of research.
The teaching team is supported by ‘experts by experience’ – leading practitioners who regularly share their knowledge in teaching sessions at the University, together with clinical staff from our placement providers.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for the 2024-25 academic year which includes September 2024 and January 2025 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
Requirement | What we're looking for | UCAS points | N/A |
A Level | N/A |
BTEC | N/A |
GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
Access to HE | N/A |
- FdSc Nursing Associate (or equivalent)
- Current NMC registration as a Nursing Associate
- Applicants must complete an occupational health assessment check as part of the selection process and any offer made will be subject to this
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for the 2025-26 academic year which includes September 2025 and January 2026 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
Requirement | What we're looking for | UCAS points | 112 |
A Level | N/A |
BTEC | N/A |
GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
Access to HE | N/A |
- FdSc Nursing Associate (or equivalent)
- Current NMC registration as a Nursing Associate
- Applicants must complete an occupational health assessment check as part of the selection process and any offer made will be subject to this
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
Applicants must complete an occupational health assessment and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the selection process and any offer made will be subject to these.
Applicants must submit supplementary evidence using the Recognition of Prior Learning template as part of the application process. This is to evidence: relevant qualifications, NMC registration (via PIN number), evidence of completed theory and practice hours, practice experience and to provide an academic reference to detail how they meet the professional requirements of the programme.
After application submission and providing all entry requirements and initial evidence is satisfactory, suitable candidates may then be required to attend an interview as part of the professional Recognition of Prior Learning requirements of this Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) approved programme.
Non-submission of a fully completed Recognition of Prior Learning form and/or non-attendance will result in your application being withdrawn.
Please contact the programme team to discuss if you have any queries about your education/work experience.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered where evidence has been provided on completion of the supplementary evidence. After application submission and providing all entry requirements and initial evidence is satisfactory, suitable candidates may then be required to attend an interview as part of the professional Recognition of Prior Learning requirements of this Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) approved programme. Non-attendance will result in your application being withdrawn.
2024/25
Type |
Full-time |
Part time |
UK |
£13,875 for the full course |
N/A |
International |
N/A |
N/A |
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
All new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid. This is provided through the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and is not managed by the University. Please check with the LSF for residency requirements and eligibility criteria.
If you're eligible, you can get:
- A training grant of £5,000 per academic year
- Parental support of £2,000 if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
- Money back for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs while you're on your placement
- £1,000 if studying a shortage specialism
Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include:
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Diagnostic radiography
All NHS LSF applications must be submitted within six months of the start of the academic year and you will need confirmation of your Student Finance in order to complete your application. You need to set up an NHS Learning Support Fund online account to apply.
How to apply
Please look at our before you apply.
Employability
On completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC link) in their field of practice. Students have five years to register their award with the Nursing and Midwifery Council following completion of the programme. A variety of careers and career pathways are open to Registered Nurses and may choose to work in hospitals, community services, primary care services, mental health services, children’s services, learning disability services, general practice, and private, voluntary, and independent services across the NHS or other health and care organisations.
Further Study
Graduates of the programme may wish to return to academic study, further developing their skills and knowledge to undertake a range of specialist or advanced roles. There is a wide offer of post-registration provision within the College of Health, Psychology, and Social Care, and many students chose to return to the University of Derby for postgraduate study, both at masters and doctoral level and for continuing professional development.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Students looking to join the revalidated BSc Mental Health Nursing programme at the 18 month entry point will start in January 2025.
Students looking to join the previous BSc Mental Health Nursing programme at the 18 month entry point are able to join in March 2024 and September 2024. To do so, please apply directly to the BSc Mental Health Nursing programme and state in your application that you are looking to join at the 18 month entry point.
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Other courses you might like