Access our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centre, featuring wards and a community flat, to practise scenarios with professional actors.
Gain extensive experience out on clinical placements with our NHS partner trusts, which you’ll combine with theoretical learning to ensure you meet the requirements of our registering body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Learn from a multidisciplinary team of lecturers who are all healthcare professionals with experience of working in the NHS. Many are also active researchers, investigating topics such as clinical risk, dementia, ethics, and compassionate practice.
Benefit from a course that champions interprofessional learning, allowing you to practise alongside midwifery, paramedic science and medical students to get the best preparation for life out in practice.
Get the academic requirements needed to register with the NMC to work as a mental health nurse once you’ve graduated.
If you’re a home student, you’re eligible for an NHS training grant of £6,000 per year and financial support for excess placement travel or accommodation costs.
On our BSc Mental Health Nursing course, you’ll be exposed to a variety of mental health clinical practice experiences where you’ll learn interpersonal engagement and assessment strategies to use with service users, and how to effectively provide care when patients are in crisis.
In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to mental health nursing, including anatomy and physiology, public health promotion and explore self-awareness and the ability to use the self therapeutically, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.
During your second year, you’ll begin to plan and deliver effective, evidence-based care to people experiencing specific mental health difficulties. You’ll learn how to empower people on their recovery journeys, utilising mental health policy and multi-agency approaches. You’ll also explore the interrelationship between physical and mental health comorbidities integrating with other health professionals and partner agencies like the police and social care.
In your third year, you’ll develop your decision-making and leadership skills, and will gain insight into how psychosocial, spiritual, ethical and legal influences have an impact on the way patient care is provided.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse (mental health).
Foundation year
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this degree with a Nursing Foundation Year. This is an extra year of study to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.
To see what modules you’ll be studying, refer to the foundation tab in the 'Course structure' section.
This three-year course runs over 44–45 weeks each year, with seven weeks' holiday usually over the winter, spring and summer vacations. The length of the course year and the holiday entitlement are requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff.
This module is a year-long module for all three fields of nursing that integrates theory and practice within university learning blocks and placement learning blocks. It offers a sequential learning experience that enables students to build and develop knowledge, skills and behaviours required to deliver evidence-based person-centered care. This will enable the students to start demonstrating professional values, understanding how dignity and respect influence patient interaction in accordance with their Code. It will introduce them to a range of assessment skills within a simulated environment utilising health care equipment and will enable them to explore team working and problem-solving skills using effective professional communication involving a series of dynamic learning experiences. All three fields of nursing will experience interprofessional learning with midwifery and paramedic undergraduate students throughout the year, with distinctive weekly opportunities in the theory blocks for students to develop professional identity and allow further focus on field specific elements of the programme.
This module provides a sequential and integrated learning experience using theory and practice, by a spiraling of content that supports student development. Students will be supported to apply their knowledge of altered physiology and body functioning to commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions. There will be a focus on management of increased complexity in patient care, with placement experiences that support and reflect the learning within university learning blocks. Students will have an opportunity to consider the wider scope of leadership innovation and change management and its impact on teams and care provision. Practice within simulation and placement will enable students to further develop clinical proficiencies and assessment and decision-making skills, focusing on the management of complexity within holistic scenarios.
This final module provides a sequential and integrated learning experience using theory and practice, by a spiraling of content that supports student development. It will prepare students to demonstrate proactive leadership acting as change agents to challenge practice in order to enhance people¿s wellbeing and experience of health care; integrating evidence into their clinical and scholarly practice, becoming an accountable evidence-based professional. Practice within simulation and placement will enable students to draw together learning from university blocks, by consolidating their knowledge and proficencies within clinical practice in preparation for professional registration.
This module offers a sequential learning experience that enables students to build and develop knowledge, understanding and skills. Utilising learning and teaching strategies that encompass dynamic learning experiences and reflection.
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Teaching and learning
Teaching staff
As well as being taught by lecturers from Surrey, you'll be taught by guest lecturers, made up of local doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers as well as partner agencies like the police and social care.
Throughout your placements, you'll have an educational supervisor, who’s a registered healthcare professional. They'll guide you through your experience and feed into your evidence portfolio.
Day-to-day learning
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
For some modules, you’ll learn alongside students from other health sciences courses, so you can develop an understanding of inter-professional teamwork.
When you’re on placement
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
Demonstration
Discussion groups
Observation
Practice under supervision
Reflective dialogue
Role modelling
Shadowing.
Assessment
We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:
When you’re out on placement, your knowledge, skills and professional behaviour will be assessed by your mentors.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Teaching can take place any time from Monday to Friday between 9am-6pm, with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Due to the practical nature of the course, there may be timetabled sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
Our Medicine (Graduate Entry) BMBS degree, nursing and midwifery, and health science courses are taught at the Kate Granger Building (30 Priestley Road), on the Surrey Research Park.
You’ll be expected to attend clinical placements off campus. Please see the Placements section for more details.
Some modules on this course will be taught on our Stag Hill campus.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which means that once you have achieved your Mental Health Nursing degree, you’ll have the academic requirements needed to register to work as a mental health nurse.
Our alumni can be found working for NHS trusts across the UK, with recent graduates working for Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
Nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the UK and is home to a diverse range of roles in hospitals, GP surgeries, people’s homes and the wider community. There are also specialist areas that nurses occupy in care homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the military and in industry. You may also want to explore alternative paths, including education, management, mentoring and research. Visit the NHS careers website for further information.
You’ll learn in our multimillion-pound facilities, including our Clinical Simulation Centre which includes two wards, an operating theatre and a community flat. You’ll get to use equipment found in the NHS to learn how to improve your interpersonal communication skills and assessment abilities.
Our virtual environment, lifelike manikins and actors will transport you to the centre of healthcare scenarios, so you can practise your skills and get a taste of what you may face during your training and when you’re fully qualified.
You’ll also get exclusive access to our independent clinical learning room, set up each week with the necessary equipment required to practise your skills.
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
Typical offer
BSc (Hons):
BBC
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
CCD
Recent study within the last five years required.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Alternatively, Pass in Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy can be accepted in place of GCSE English Language and Mathematics. While not required, applicants with a 4 (C) in Science will be preferred.
BSc (Hons):
DMM
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
MMM
Recent study within the last five years required.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Alternatively, Pass in Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy can be accepted in place of GCSE English Language and Mathematics. While not required, applicants with a 4 (C) in Science will be preferred.
GCSE or equivalent: English language A HL4/SL4 or English language B HL5/SL6 and mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4. While not required, applicants who achieve HL4/SL4 in a science subject will be preferred.
BSc (Hons):
72%.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
66%
Recent study within the last 5 years required.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language (1/2), 6, or (3),7; Maths, 6. While not required, applicants with a 6 Science will be preferred.
BSc (Hons):
QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction and 24 at Merit.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 18 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 24 at Pass.
Recent study within the last 5 years required.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C). Alternatively, Pass in Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy can be accepted in place of GCSE English Language and Mathematics. While not required, applicants with a 4 (C) in Science will be preferred.
BSc (Hons):
BBBBB.
BSc (Hons):
BBCCC.
Recent study within the last 5 years required.
GCSE or equivalent: Scottish National 5 English Language and Maths, C. While not required, applicants with a C in National 5 Science will be preferred.
BSc (Hons):
BBC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
CCD from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
Recent study within the last five years required.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass.
GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.
BSc (Hons):
Merit overall, with minimum C in the Core Component.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
Pass overall, with minimum D in the Core Component.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (equivalents may be considered). While not required, applicants with a C/4 in GCSE Science will be preferred.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
As part of the shortlisting process your personal statement and reference will be reviewed and should outline your insight into the subject area as well as your motivation and commitment to undertake the course. You should have a clear understanding of the profession and be able to demonstrate the personal skills and qualities relevant to the course. Wherever possible, and if offered a place, candidates are encouraged to gain some practical work experience prior to undertaking this course, but this is not essential.
If you are offered and accept a place on the course, admission is subject to occupational health screening and a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check.
Interviews
If you meet the entry criteria, you will be required to take part in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) conducted through an online system of pre-recorded questions by our academic staff assisted by staff from our clinical practice areas. You will be sent detailed guidance and support on these selection activities with your invitation to interview.
This is a regulated course that requires declaration of criminal convictions at the application stage, please visit our criminal convictions web page for more information.
Deferred entry
The course does not accept applications for deferred entry.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2026
Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis, cannot pay fees by instalment.
Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Professional training placement fees
Professional Training placement year fees are approximately 20% of the full-time fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement.
Additional costs
Commuting (local travel expenses): Students are required to pay upfront cost of travel and accommodation expenses incurred when on placements, these may vary depending on the location.
Students starting their studies in 2024/25 will be able to apply for reimbursement of travel and dual accommodation expenses through the Learning Support Fund because of attending practice placements (this model may not apply for the duration of students' studies).
Essential expenses incurred over and above a student’s normal daily travel costs to the University are covered. NHS rules on expenses must be followed and the rates applicable are to be confirmed by the NHS Business Services Authority.
Students are also able to claim travel and accommodation costs via the NHSLSF if they undertake the additional elective placement.
Safety equipment and/or uniform: Although a uniform (tunics and trousers) is provided, you are required to supply your own suitable footwear and any additional uniform. You are also responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing your uniform.
All students receive a name badge free of charge before they go out into practice, if a replacement is required (lost/damaged etc) there is a fee of around £4.50.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: The University will meet the cost of one DBS check, completed at the start of each new student’s programme or earlier where applicants indicate they have a conviction in their application.
The DBS check is a programme requirement: it is mandatory that the DBS process is completed, and the student is approved to attend before they can start placement. Applicants offered a place on the programme will be contacted to complete the online process by the deadline specified. The process is not completed until all original documentation has been approved by an appointed DBS approver. This should be completed in advance of applicants starting their programme using main branches of the Post Office, where there will be an £8.22 administration fee.
Following this, students will be required to sign up to the annual online DBS update service which allows you to maintain an updated DBS record. This has an annual cost of £13.
These additional costs are accurate as of September 2024 and apply to the 2025 year of entry. Costs for 2026 entry will be published in September 2025.
Clinical placements
You’ll spend half of your training in clinical placements, allowing you to develop your knowledge, skills and practice within healthcare settings, under the supervision of qualified practitioners. You’ll complete 37.5 placement hours a week, for approximately 16 weeks in your first year, 26 weeks in your second year and 25 weeks in your third year.
Previous students have completed their placements in the NHS, with private healthcare organisations and with charities. These have been across several settings, including hospitals, residential homes and out in the wider community.
Students have the opportunity to either participate in a summer programme or complete an elective placement abroad. Use our search tool to find summer opportunities with our partner organisations.
Student
"Supporting a patient on placement to rebuild their life and change a pattern of acute hospital stays has given me so much hope and reaffirmed my belief that recovery is at the heart of what we do."
Abigail Best Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Mental Health Nursing) BSc (Hons) Student profile
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