- UCAS course code
- B762
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
Our BNurs/MNurs Mental Health Nursing course will help you become a skilled and highly sought-after graduate nurse specialising in caring for mental health patients in a range of settings.
You will split your time equally between learning theory on campus and applying your knowledge to practice alongside other health professionals in a range of healthcare settings .
You will receive support from both our staff and your fellow students throughout your time at Manchester, as well as from experienced colleagues in practice.
As a graduate, you'll have the choice of practicing as a nurse, going into a specialist or a leadership role, or undertaking further study, research opportunities or teaching.
The BNurs award is for the three-year undergraduate course. Depending on your performance in Years 1 and 2, you will have the opportunity to apply to extend your studies by a year to undertake an integrated master's in nursing. This will also involve an additional year of tuition fees.
By choosing to complete the integrated master's, you are preparing for career progression within nursing by developing your leadership and research skills.
The integrated master's will deliver units at postgraduate level, developing your skills in critical engagement with issues at the forefront of your chosen field of nursing. You will learn how to critically examine, reflect and develop new insights, contributing to nursing research, education and clinical practice agenda through your research study.
Special features
Superb reputation
Manchester has been ranked 6th in the world and 3rd in the UK for Nursing (QS World University Rankings 2022).
Simulation training
You will engage in simulation in our clinical skills laboratories and skills focussed workshops
Varied and high-quality practice learning environments
You will experience a range of practice learning opportunities across a range of care settings with support from experienced practitioners, including trusts offering specialist services. You may also choose to take the opportunity to gain experience elsewhere in the UK or even overseas in Year 2 of the course. All other practice learning experience will take place in the Manchester region.
Student-focused course
You will learn how to apply theory to practice through our course's 50:50 split of on-campus learning and practical experience, ensuring you receive the tutor support you need while also consolidating your knowledge of nursing theory.
Family-friendly learning
Addressing the philosophy of Athena SWAN, we look to minimise early starts and late finishes and ensure - where possible - that public holidays are included in your annual leave entitlement.
Additional course information
You will spend 50% of your learning time in a clinical practice environments gaining insight into what it is like to work within the modern health service, developing clinical knowledge, skills and confidence as a key member of the professional healthcare team.
We have excellent working relationships with local NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester and the north-west.
See the practice learning page for more information.
Teaching and learning
Our course is designed to include both theory and practice, linking the most current research-based knowledge with practice in a student-centred approach.
You will engage in problem-based learning, skills laboratories and computer-based learning, as well as the more traditional lecture and seminar-based formats. Lectures take place in a large group with small group teaching for seminars.
Dedicated student support
We offer dedicated student support to all of our students, helping you to handle the demands of both academic work and practice learning.
See the student support page for more information.
Coursework and assessment
Learning is divided into a number of units in each year. The content and assessments for each unit are planned and delivered by a small team of lecturers with the relevant expertise related to those topic areas.
Unit assessments vary and include written and multiple-choice exams, essays, case studies, poster presentations and online work.
Most units of learning also include the assessment of relevant skills in practice, which are carried out by practice assessors and practice supervisors.
To complete the course, you are required to pass all theory and practice assessments.
Course content for year 1
In your first year you will examine core aspects of nursing knowledge in lectures and fields-specific seminars.
You will also develop your interpersonal communication skills, which will be recorded and monitored in your personal development portfolio throughout the course.
Practical skills will be developed through our practice on campus and two further practice learning experiences in Greater Manchester and the wider north-west. All practice learning experiences are supervised by a member of clinical staff who will assess your practice and liaise with a member of academic staff who will act as your Academic Assessor in Practice.
You also have the opportunity to undertake spoke learning experiences. These are short and discrete opportunities for practical experience to help you learn about other fields and aspects of nursing practice. These take place within your practice learning in Year 1, 2 and 3.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health, Society and Nursing | NURS10021 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing Practice | NURS10030 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Evidence Based Practice | NURS10042 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Collaborative Care Planning | NURS10052 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Essential Skills for Nursing Practice 1 | NURS10061 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Clinical Placement 2 (Year 1) | NURS10072 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Clinical Placement 3 (Year 1) | NURS10082 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Values Based Nursing | NURS10091 | 10 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
In Year 2 you will develop further your knowledge of:
- the application of biosciences to nursing practice;
- the development of your field-specific knowledge and skills.
You may also choose to personalise your learning by selecting two discovery units from a menu of choices (limits apply). Please see the list below for optional units.
You will continue developing your portfolio of learning this year, reflecting on how you can improve your skills.
There will be three placements in practice learning environments in Year 2, which involve caring for individuals from your field of practice in a variety of settings.
You will also have the opportunity to state a preference for one practice learning environment type within Greater Manchester that is related to education, research, or leadership and management.
Alternatively, you can undertake a practice learning experience in this placement outside Greater Manchester, either in the UK or overseas.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice (Bioscience 2) | NURS23100 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 2 Clinical Placement 2 | NURS23132 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 2 Clinical Placement 1 | NURS23141 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 2 Clinical Placement 3 | NURS23142 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Developing Nursing Knowledge & Skills | NURS23310 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Mental Health and Mental Ill Health in Children and Young People | NURS23102 | 10 | Optional |
| Dementia: Empowering and Creative Practice | NURS23111 | 10 | Optional |
| Principles of Adult Critical and Intensive Care Nursing | NURS23112 | 10 | Optional |
| Delivering Harm Free Care in Infection prevention & Tissue Viability | NURS23121 | 10 | Optional |
| Palliative and End of Life Care | NURS23122 | 10 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 2 | |||
| Display all course units for year 2 | |||
Course content for year 3
Year 3 is about consolidating your knowledge and building confidence for practice. While studying on campus and undertaking three practice learning experiences you will continue to reflect on your learning and practice through your portfolio.
In Year 3 all units are mandatory, with the exception of Advancing Care - The Social and Political Context of Health and Social Care. This unit is completed by students progressing to the MNurs in place of clinical learning experience 3.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse as a Facilitator of Learning | NURS31301 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 3 Clinical Placement 1 | NURS31311 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 3 Clinical Placement 2 | NURS31312 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Year 3 Clinical Placement 3 | NURS31322 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Nurse as an Inquirer of Clinical Evidence | NURS31360 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Nurse as a Leader, Manager and Coordinator of Care | NURS31362 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Advancing Care - The Social and Political Context of Health and Social Care | NURS31342 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 4
This is a 120-credit course that will involve studying a mixture of units at postgraduate level (following a bridging undergraduate theory unit in Year 3 that will prepare you for higher level study).
All units are mandatory for successful completion of the MNurs.
The taught components of the course allow you to develop your knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of nursing, clinical practice, education, and improve your leadership skills.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research in Professional Practice (Major Project) | NURS41000 | 45 | Mandatory |
| Shaping Nurses Recognition and Response to Serious Illness | NURS41002 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Year 4 Clinical Practice and Portfolio | NURS41010 | 30 | Mandatory |
| Nurse Educator in Practice | NURS41012 | 15 | Mandatory |
What our students say
The best thing is the clinical experience and putting theory into practice. Getting to meet members of the public and make a difference to their lives is so rewarding.
Louis Southall
Find out more about what it's like to study at Manchester on the Biology, Medicine and Health Student Blog .
Facilities
We have extensive facilities in place to support you throughout your studies, including skills laboratories and workshops, as well as online resources and the vast wealth of information in the University's library.
See more information about our nursing learning facilities , or find out more about the University's facilities for all undergraduates.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk
Students are encouraged to contact the disability support office either before accepting an offer from the University of Manchester or as soon as possible thereafter in order to avoid delays in getting help and assistance.