This MSc Mental Health Nursing degree not only allows you to become a vital part of a compassionate healthcare team providing physical and mental health care, but also positions you at the forefront of mental health advocacy and development in society and healthcare systems.
Why study MSc Mental Health Nursing at BNU?
Facilities
We have developed a comprehensive suite of facilities specifically tailored to enhance the learning experience in the field of mental health nursing, and designed to help with creating real-life scenarios.
Simulation plays a pivotal role in our nursing and healthcare programs, particularly in the context of mental health. Across our campuses, we have meticulously constructed simulation labs that replicate working wards and other relevant settings. These facilities are not just about practicing technical skills; they are designed to immerse you in scenarios that closely mirror the complexities and nuances of mental health care.
One of our unique features is a simulated living room environment. This space is crucial for practising scenarios that resemble community home visits or counselling sessions, areas of paramount importance in mental health nursing. In this controlled setting, you can hone your skills in conducting sensitive conversations, managing diverse emotional states, and applying therapeutic techniques, all under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Placements
Throughout the course, you’ll allocate approximately half of your time to clinical practice and the remaining half to University-based learning. Our strong partnerships with various NHS Trusts and independent care providers in the region ensure that students have diverse and enriching clinical placements.
What will I study?
Our MSc in pre-registration Mental Health Nursing is designed for high achieving graduates, recognising that you’ll bring transferable academic skills, healthcare experience and valuable life experience to your studies.
This fast-track two-year degree programme integrates postgraduate academic study alongside practice-based learning. It is underpinned by a strong collaboration between the University, service users (experts by experience) and our NHS practice partners, helping you to gain the knowledge and skills you need for your future career in mental health nursing.
Choosing to study Mental Health Nursing is a decision to embark on a deeply rewarding and increasingly vital profession. This field is not just about understanding the complexities of mental health conditions, but it's also about fostering a deeper empathy, developing strong communication skills, and learning to offer holistic care that respects the dignity and individuality of each patient.
As a Mental Health Nurse, you'll be equipped to meet the growing need for professionals who can navigate the intricate landscape of mental health care. You'll learn how to work in diverse settings, from hospitals and community health centres to schools and private care environments, providing essential support to people of all ages and across all walks of life. In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing mental healthcare and providing the best treatment options available.
This course offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. You'll explore the latest research and treatment approaches in mental health, while hands-on clinical placements will provide you with real-world experience under the guidance of experienced professionals. This combination ensures that you graduate not only with knowledge but with the confidence and competence to make a real difference.
As part of your MSc Mental Health nursing degree you will also complete authentic theory assessments which reflect real life nursing practices, such as presenting cases, medicines administration and report writing, preparing you for your future profession.
Part one
Core Modules
Health Sciences for Nursing
Social Sciences for Nursing
Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing
Introduction to Practice (Mental Health)
Part two
Core Modules
Law, Ethics and Professional Responsibilities in Nursing
Assessing Biopsychosocial Needs and Planning Care in Mental Health Nursing
Leading, Coordinating and Evaluating Mental Health Care
Progressing in Practice (Mental Health)
Part three
Core Modules
Developing Practice
Dissertation for Nursing
Achieving Competence in Practice (Mental Health)
This pre-registration postgraduate nursing programme seamlessly blends academic and practical learning, fostering collaboration between the University and practice partners. Embracing a student-centred philosophy, the course enables you to gain essential knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary for the delivery of compassionate, safe, and effective mental health nursing care.
Throughout the course, you’ll allocate approximately half of your time to clinical practice and the remaining half to University-based learning. Our strong partnerships with various NHS Trusts and independent care providers in the region ensure that students have diverse and enriching clinical placements.
When you’re on campus, your academic study will be undertaken through varying including seminars, lectures, exploring authentic scenarios and case studies as well as online learning.
We prioritise simulation activity, helping you to acquire skills and behaviours through practice. Nursing simulation incorporates the use of human patient simulators in a virtual ‘real-life’ healthcare environments and situations. Within this learning environment, real-time evolving clinical situations can be simulated, repeated, evaluated, and reflected, reducing the risk of patient harm.
To help build your digital skills, online teaching and digital learning opportunities, such as discussion boards and interactive web-based activities, will also be integrated throughout many modules within this programme. This helps you to develop and enhance the necessary digital skills required to work in today’s health care environments.
We include assessments which reflect real life nursing practices and, across the three years, you will be assessed through a number of means, such as:
reflective assignment
presentations
exams
academic poster development
assignments
literature review
oral exams.
You are also required to complete the knowledge skills and behaviours included in the Practice Assessment Document in each year of practice.
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Buckinghamshire New University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!
To study this course, you will need to have a 2:1 or above in any subject/discipline. Consideration will be given to applicants who have achieved a 2:2 in a subject with relevant content and experience, e.g., sociology; psychology; physiology; bio- chemistry; health studies or social work.
Additional entry requirements include:
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
BNU English Language Requirements https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements
We aim to cultivate an environment where individuality, diversity, and academic excellence thrive.
Our decision-making process is not just about grades; we assess the entire application, including personal statements, relevant experience and where appropriate portfolios. Within our Contextual Offer Scheme, we strive to embrace students whose educational and social backgrounds may have influenced their academic journey.
This underpins how we champion an inclusive community that transforms lives.
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15150 | Year 1 |
| International | £15150 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to:
Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies.
For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students, and if you’re a recent BNU graduate, you may even qualify for a fee discount on your postgraduate studies.
You may be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund. If you're eligible, you could get a training grant of £5,000 per academic year plus other support. Visit nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf for full details. Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information please visit bnu.ac.uk/bursaries
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Email:admissions@bucks.ac.uk
Phone:01494 605060
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