Program Overview

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MSc Mental Health Nursing (Pre-registration)

The MSc Mental Health Nursing (Pre-registration) has been designed with graduates in mind, building upon the existing skills you achieved through your undergraduate degree, and applying them at masters level.

Overview

One in every eight people in the world live with a mental disorder. This is often characterised by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour (WHO 2022). In addition to exploring a range of mental health conditions and presentations, for example psychosis, depression, self-harm and suicide risk, you’ll identify the variant determinants of health as well as the inequality that exists across populations. You’ll be introduced to the psychosocial interventions and medical treatments that are available.

Course Information

We’ve designed our two-year course around the core values of the NHS constitution so that you understand what’s required in caring for and supporting vulnerable patients. On this two-year full-time course, you'll spend 42 weeks per year at university or on placement/simulated placement, with 10 weeks holiday per year. This is to ensure you’re able to complete the required hours set by the NMC to be able to register at the end of your two years. Your time will be split equally between practical and theory, with half of your time in clinical/simulated practice which includes placements in a variety of settings.

Features and Benefits

• Approved course - This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Become a registered nurse - On successful completion, you are eligible to register as a mental health nurse with the NMC.
• Accelerated course - An accelerated postgraduate pathway into professional nursing practice, you will gain the experience and skills required to practice as a registered nurse in two years, rather than three.
• Specialist nursing facilities - In addition to our clinical skills lab, we also have access to our simulation ‘The Flat’ and immersive CAVE. Both are used to recreate real life challenges in mental health practice.
• Real-world experience - On this course you will spend an equal amount of time on clinical placements and at university on nursing theory.
• Award-winning School of Nursing - We have consistently been shortlisted or won in the Student Nursing Times Awards since 2012. In 2024, our mental health nursing team were shortlisted in the 'Nurse Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration)' category.
• Equivalency tests - We offer one equivalency test in science or mathematics for the purpose of securing a place on our nursing courses.
• NHS Learning Support fund - This course is eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

The Nursing and Midwifery Council

Year 1

In your first year, you'll cover the following modules:

• Person-Centred Nursing (Mental Health)
• Local and Global Health
• Enquiry and Evaluation
• Resilience and Relationships (Mental Health)

Core Modules

Person Centred Nursing (Mental Health)

This module will introduce the students to the background and theories around Person Centred Nursing, whilst also exploring the implementation of Person Centred Nursing as part of a wider mental health nursing team and how the professional, ethical and legal expectations should be considered.

Local and Global Health

This module will focus on the causal factors, implications and multi-agency responses to local and global health issues. Students will develop a critical understanding of the wider determinants of health and wellbeing, the influence of health systems and policy makers on health outcomes, and the health promotion strategies which influence and support individuals, groups and communities to develop their own strengths and abilities to protect their health and wellbeing.

Enquiry and Evaluation

This module will critically explore the application of research methodologies and evidence within the context of person-centred approaches to nursing care.

Resilience and Relationships (Mental Health)

This module will enable students to demonstrate and effectively explore professional practice issues, specifically in mental health nursing. Communications skills, therapeutic engagement and working within an interprofessional team will be critically examined. Self-awareness and skills of reflective practice will be used to inform the development of emotional intelligence and resilience.

Year 2

In your second year, you'll cover the following modules:

• Fieldcraft Skills
• Leading and Improving Care
• Supervised Independent Study Project

Core Modules

Fieldcraft Skills

This module focuses on developing students knowledge and skills in medicines management in accordance with professional and regulatory standards. This theoretical module supports the students safe and competent practice demonstrated in the adult placement setting.

Supervised Independent Study Project (Adult)

This module allows the student to build upon their year 1 Project Proposal from the Enquiry and Evaluation unit into a critical piece of work which relates to the adult field of nursing.

Leading and Improving Care

This module will critically reflect upon the overall leadership and management of care in a contemporary healthcare system whilst recognising the fundamental challenges in improving care for patients, families and caregivers.

Study and Assessment

Study

• Full-time 15% lectures, seminars or similar; 50% placement; 35% independent study

Assessment

• Full-time 90% coursework; 0% practical; 10% examination

Additional Information

Health checks: You will be required to complete an Occupational Health Assessment to ensure that your health does not constitute a barrier to the achievement of the programme learning outcomes or eligibility to apply for registration with the professional body.

Professional Suitability: Students on programmes leading to professional qualifications are required to adhere to professional standards and codes of practice during their studies. Failure to do so may lead to exclusion from the programme on the grounds of professional unsuitability.

Placements

Placements are allocated and arranged by the University in partnership with local health and social care providers. A range of practice opportunities will be provided to students to work towards attaining the experience required in practice by the regulatory body for registration.

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have achieved a minimum of a first degree (2:2 or above) and should have a minimum of Mathematics, English Language, and Science GCSEs at grade C/4 or above.

• We will accept GCSE Science, Biology, Additional Science, Applied Science, Physics or Chemistry. BTEC Level 2 Science (Pass) as an acceptable equivalent.
• If you don't currently have your Mathematics or Science GCSE, there may be an opportunity to complete one of the approved equivalency testing courses before enrolling, to help secure your place.
• Applicants must evidence recent study within the last five years. Plus, evidence of relevant, practice-related experience through the pre-entry portfolio (detailed below).
• International applicants must have achieved an overall score of 6.5 in the academic version of IELTS.

Pre-Entry Portfolio

The pre-entry portfolio amounts to 500 hours of practice-related experience (practice) and 500 hours of academic-related study (theory) associated with the programme outcomes.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

UK and Channel Island Students

Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).

EU and Non-EU International Students

Full-time fee: £22,000 per year.

Additional Costs

Specialist Costs

• Footwear suitable for comfortable all-day walking/standing in clinical workplace, approximately £100.
• Full uniform is provided free of charge when the course commences.
• Books and IT: All of the books required for the course are available from the library.

Placement Costs

• Travel costs to and from placements across Greater Manchester.
• You may wish to arrange your elective placement abroad (please note that additional costs are incurred for this option).

Professional Costs

• DBS checks: before starting on your course, you must undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced Disclosure).
• NMC registration is currently £120, paid at the end of the course to the NMC subject to successful completion and eligibility for registration.

Careers Support and Prospects

Employed or in Further Study

93.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, postgraduate taught graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.

Explore Your Options and Build Sought-After Skills

Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for what comes next - whether that’s continuing your studies or pursuing your work ambitions.

A Career as Unique as You

When you graduate, you’ll gain a masters degree (MSc) and eligibility to register as a mental health nurse with the NMC. The roles and opportunities within mental health nursing have expanded significantly in recent years. You may choose to follow a clinical career pathway towards advanced skills, such as prescribing for nurses, or specialist psychological therapies training. Maybe you’re one of our future educators? Alternatively, you may want to develop your skills in the pursuit of a career in leadership and management within either the NHS or the private sector.