Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £19,155 per year -
How long will I study?
3 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
B760
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- Gain the skills to join the rewarding and in-demand field of mental health nursing.
- Develop professional skills for leadership roles in clinical or academic settings.
- Broaden your knowledge alongside other health and social care professionals.
- Learn from enthusiastic experts with a variety of clinical experience.
- Benefit from real-world experience with placements and hands-on practicals.
This unique course offers you an exciting opportunity to become a fully qualified nurse, providing compassionate nursing care in mental health. You’ll consider the changing nature of health, illness and recovery – as well as the relationship between healthcare professionals and service users. You’ll graduate as a reflective, competent and employable professional.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation course.
Accredited by
This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with them. You must be registered with the NMC in order to practise as a nurse in the UK.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
On this course you’ll learn from academic staff who have a variety of clinical expertise and experience. You’ll apply your theoretical study directly to your practice setting, using the knowledge, skills and attributes you’ve gained. The course is a blend of theory and hands-on practical work, giving you the opportunity to practise what you learn in both simulated and real-world settings.
Nurses are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team. You’ll have the chance to learn and collaborate with students from other health and social care courses, helping you to deliver person-centred care, with an understanding of how other professionals contribute to the person's journey through health and social care services.
You learn through:
- Exams
- Poster presentation
- Reflective writing
- Assessment of proficiency in practice
- Extended project
- Group and individual presentations
- Written assessment
Key Themes
You’ll learn how nurses who specialise in mental health help people. They assist with various challenges – from depression, anxiety and dementia to bulimia nervosa, post-natal depression, and other conditions that may trigger unconstructive thoughts and beliefs. You’ll then learn theoretical underpinnings, such as recovery-based practice, DSM-V criteria and psycho-social interventions.
You’ll explore the various settings mental health nurses work in – from acute inpatients to accident & emergency to community treatment teams. You’ll also discover the areas of practice that mental health nurses often specialise in, such as child and adolescent mental health.
Course Support
We’ll support you to thrive as a skilled, adaptable and proficient mental health nurse. We’ll nurture your creativity, encouraging you to ask compelling questions and providing you with the tools to answer them.
With our high ratio of staff to students, you’ll always be able to receive the support you need on your learning journey towards highly-skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre for support with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments and assessment preparation.
Course leaders and tutors
Jon Painter
Senior Lecturer in Mental HealthI lecture in a broad range of topics related to mental health nursing, and am particularly interested in working with people who experience psychosis
Carmel Bond
Lecturer in Mental Health NursingStaff profile of Carmel Bond Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing
Applied learning
Live Projects
Applied learning takes place in our specialist labs, practice facilities, simulation environments and workshops – as well externally through field trips, educational visits, digital technologies, and even by loan access to specialist equipment so you can work on or off-campus. These activities are directed or supported by lecturers or technical experts, providing you with opportunities to practise and apply your learning.
Practice learning takes place in a range of settings where nurses care for adults, children, and young people. You’ll participate in activities that contribute to your training and demonstrate the responsibilities involved.
Work Placements
You’ll apply your learning through real-world placements, projects, internships and voluntary activities. These take place in work settings, through online interfaces and within the university.
There’s also an optional placement – where you can arrange an experience nationally or internationally to meet your personal professional development needs and support your employability.
You’ll be supervised and supported by practice supervisors, practice assessors, link lecturers and academic assessors – enabling you to learn and safely achieve proficiency and autonomy in your professional role.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in clinical nursing within a range of health and social care settings, including:
- Primary and community care
- Secondary care
- Private and voluntary organisations
- Advanced practice roles
- Management positions in clinical nursingResearch nursing
- Lecturing
- Further study, such as health visiting, masters and doctoral education
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in:
- Hospital and community nursing environments
- Health centres
- GP surgeries
- The armed forces
- Education
Student's success story
Mental health nursing graduate Irene Ibanda was short listed for a national Student Nursing Times award for her work on diversity and inclusion. See more
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with:
- A range of clinical nursing placement environments
- Our purpose-built clinical simulation suites
- Mock wards and community spaces
- Technology-enhanced learning
- Clinical skills laboratories
- 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students
Media Gallery
Learn more about your department
Health and Social Care Facilities Tour
Learn what it's like to study health and social care at our Collegiate Campus from our adult nursing student Alex.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
From A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We do not accept AS levels. For example:
- BBC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Merit overall from a T level qualification including a grade B from Core.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include general studies.
- Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered including CACHE.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE's (single or double) in:
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents*
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
*GCSE Maths equivalents
• Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number/Grade D at GCSE Maths/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
• Maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
*GCSE English equivalents
• Level 2 Literacy
• Level 2 Key Skills
*GCSE Science equivalents
• OCR Science Level 2
• Science units gained on a Level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma Qualification
• Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits gained at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
• Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at merit level.
• FdSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care - If you are in the process of completing or have successfully completed the above programme at one of our partner colleges (Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Chesterfield College, North Lindsey College, Dearne Valley College, Manchester College, Stockport College and Doncaster College) and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional within the Health & Social Care sector, we would welcome an application from you via UCAS to start in Year 1
• Degrees will be considered on an individual basis and if you already hold a first degree with an upper second class honours or above, you may be eligible to study our pre-registration MSc Mental Health Nursing
IELTS
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing
Fundamentals Of Nursing Practice
Part 1 Placement
Personal And Professional Development
Sciences For Nursing Practice
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Applied Sciences For Nursing Practice
Assessing And Addressing Complexity In Practice
Developing Nursing Practice
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Part 2 Placement
Final year
Compulsory modules
Complexity & Leadership In Professional Practice
Consolidating Sciences For Nursing Practice
One Credit Module – Bsc (Hons) Nursing
Part 3 Placement
The Advancing Professional
Transition To Registration In Mental Health Nursing Practice
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £19,155, which includes an annual placement supplement of £2,000.
Health and social care funding
Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.