BSc (Hons)
Nursing (Registered Nurse - Mental Health)

Key Information


Duration

3 Years

Typical Offer

See More

Campus

Brayford Pool

Validation Status

Subject to Revalidation

UCAS Code

B760

Academic Year

Course Overview

Nurses perform a vital role in 21st Century healthcare, in both primary and secondary care settings, restoring and promoting health, supporting patients and their families, and profiling healthcare needs of communities.

The University of Lincoln recognises the challenges facing current and future healthcare and nursing practice, offering three distinct nursing programmes specialising in adult, child, and mental health. Our student nurses played a key role during the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as supporting hospitals and vaccination centres across Lincolnshire, their help played an integral component to the success of the University's Test and Trace Centre. We are extremely proud of our students for their contribution and dedication.

Our professionally-accredited programmes enable students to become registered nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The programmes aim to prepare students to become fit for practice in accordance with the NMC's Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Education and to be eligible to register as a qualified nurse. Students are encouraged to become confident, critically analytical advocates of excellence in nursing practice within their respective specialisms.

The School of Health and Social Care works with employers to provide employees with the opportunity to study for an undergraduate BSc (Hons) Nursing degree through an apprenticeship route, funded by the Government and your employer.

The University of Lincoln also offers an 18-month top up degree on an apprenticeship or self-funded route. Find out more about these options online: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/shsc/apprenticeships/bscnursingapprenticeship/

Why Choose Lincoln

Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Placement opportunities in the UK and overseas

Specialist clinical suites which simulate hospital and home environments

Theoretical and clinical elements centred on NHS values

Explore the theory behind leading and managing nursing care

YouTube video for Why Choose Lincoln

How You Study

Our nursing courses are offered over three academic years, consisting of 45 weeks of study per year. They utilise a range of teaching and learning styles. Students spend half of their time studying at the University and the other half gaining practical experience in nursing.

The theoretical and clinical elements of the course are centred on the NHS values of working together for patients; respect and dignity; commitment to quality care; compassion; improving lives; and the belief that everyone counts.

First-year modules aim to provide the core foundation skills for adult, child, learning disabilities or mental health nursing, with a focus on the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and social sciences. This is built upon in the second year, where students can develop professional skills and apply ethical principles to rational decision-making.

During the final year of the degree, students are able to explore the theory behind leading and managing complex nursing care, and consider the theory and practice of innovative and transformational change in preparation for their final project.

Modules


† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Concepts of Health and Illness 2024-25NUR1045Level 42024-25The aim of this module is to widen students' understanding of health, well-being and communities. Students will gain knowledge of how our health is impacted – learning what determines our health and where there are clearly identified health inequalities. Students will be supported to interrogate public health data, read seminal public health reports and explore international, national, and local health priorities. They will start to gain skills and knowledge in how nurses can promote health, undertake early intervention to prevent ill health and protect patients and service users.CoreHealth and Human Development 2024-25NUR1042Level 42024-25CoreNursing in Society 2024-25NUR1043Level 42024-25The aim of this module is to introduce you to the role of the nurse within contemporary healthcare and within your chosen field of nursing. You will develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts within nursing, including moral, legal and ethical aspects. In addition, you will be supported in the development of appropriate academic and study skills. You will also engage in activities designed to allow you to achieve personal and professional growth, including self-awareness, resilience and team-working.CoreNursing Practice 1 2024-25NUR1044Level 42024-25CorePrinciples of Person-Centred Care 2024-25NUR1046Level 42024-25The aim of this module is to introduce students to a range of concepts, theories and practices that underpin person-centred care. Students will learn how the voices of the person who is receiving care, their family and/or carers are key to delivering truly person-centred, safe and compassionate care. They will explore the role of technology and innovation and develop a wider understanding of biopsychosocial and spiritual dimensions in delivering care. The ‘where, how and why’ care is delivered will be explored giving students a firm base for practice in relation to person-centred approaches to health, well-being and care.CoreApplied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 2025-26NUR2049Level 52025-26This module will allow students to develop their understanding of the concepts and principles of pathophysiology, the biological basis of acute illness and related pharmacological management and support. Students will explore pathophysiological processes and the key sciences which underpin clinical decision-making in all aspects of healthcare. This will allow students to develop their knowledge base and apply these concepts within their own field of nursing practice.CoreChildren and Young People’s Mental Health and Well-being 2025-26NUR2050Level 52025-26CoreComplex Care in Mental Health 2025-26NUR2052Level 52025-26CoreNursing Practice 2 2025-26NUR2047Level 52025-26CoreResearch in Nursing 2025-26NUR2046Level 52025-26CoreCrisis and relapse management in mental health 2026-27NUR3062Level 62026-27This module will allow students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the care of people who are mentally ill, recognising signs, symptoms and presentations that indicate relapse or deterioration in an individual. Students will learn how to undertake and interpret complex assessments and use of early warning indicators. They will be equipped with knowledge and skills to support their actions and decision-making in a deteriorating clinical situation. Students will also further develop their communication skills to support escalation and emergency situations. Students will explore the role of the multidisciplinary team through a range of interventions including the use of the Mental Health Act 1983, amended 2007. This module will also equip students to consider safe discharge to promote empowerment.CoreDissertation (Nursing) 2026-27NUR3056Level 62026-27CoreLeading and Co-ordinating Care 2026-27NUR3060Level 62026-27CoreMedicines Management 2026-27NUR3057Level 62026-27This module will provide students with an enhanced knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities as a registrant in relation to medicines management. Students will share learning within the wider cohort (across different fields of nursing) and will also investigate specific medicines in more detail. Medicines optimisation, professional roles and responsibilities and the complexity of medicines will be reviewed alongside revisiting aspects of medicines management such as concordance and working with others.CoreNursing Practice 3 2026-27NUR3059Level 62026-27Core

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.

How you are assessed

The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include written assignments, presentations, workbooks, and practical observations. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year.

Accredited Programme

This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and enables you to register as a qualified nurse upon graduation. You'll be required to complete competencies for nursing in practice as part of the NMC Future Nursing: Standards framework for Nursing and Midwifery (2018).

More Information
Accreditation logo for NMC

Placements

Work placements are designed to prepare you to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing clinical environment, whether this be a hospital, GP surgery, or community healthcare setting. In the second year you can undertake a four-week elective placement. This may be in the UK or abroad and can be organised by you or the University. Please note, you'd be responsible for travel, accommodation, and general living costs relating to placements.

Placement expenses for travel, accommodation may be reimbursed by NHS Bursaries where, for example, the requirement exceeds that of attending university; requires transport out of normal operating hours; or requires additional accommodation to that of the usual term time location. These expenses may need to be covered initially by the student before any applicable reimbursement is received.

BSc Nursing Apprenticeship (18-month Pathway)

The School of Health and Social Care works with employers to provide employees with the opportunity to study for an undergraduate BSc (Hons) Nursing degree through an apprenticeship route, funded by the Government and your employer. This route enables Accredited Prior Learning (APL) to be applied if evidence can be provided of 120 credits (Level 4) and 60 credits (Level 5), along with evidence of 1,150 practice hours. We would recommend that you discuss your individual requirements with us prior to application to ensure that this option is the right pathway for you. You can find out more about this apprenticeship online.

Nursing at Lincoln has given me the opportunity to develop academically, practically, and professionally when working in different mental health services.

What Can I Do with a Mental Health Nursing Degree?

Graduates have progressed to nursing roles in a range of diverse health and social care settings, from acute nursing to community care, or in education, research, and health management. Some have gone on to further study at postgraduate level.

Entry Requirements 2024-25

United Kingdom

104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels.

International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma from a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.

BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent

T Level: Merit

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.

Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English, Maths and Science, or equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2.

A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ etc.

Certificates of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.

We may consider work experience alongside academic qualifications and will review this on and individual basis.

Other requirements include:

- This course is not open for overseas applicants.
- In order to be eligible to apply, applicants born outside of the UK must have settled residential status.
- If you are now settled in the UK, and do not have GCSE English, you will require English Language IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each element: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/englishrequirements
- Successful performance at an interview
- Knowledge of contemporary health and social care issues, and the nature of nursing in a public health context
- Understanding of written material and can communicate clearly and accurately in written and spoken English
- Satisfactory completion of Occupational Health Check
- Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

When you choose Nursing in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.

We do not accept deferred applications for Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science or Social Work. You must apply in the year you wish to start the programme.

International

Non UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/

For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

Contextual Offers

At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages.

Self-funded Applications

To apply for this course as a self-funded student you will need to submit an application through our online application system using the button below. 

Apply Now

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Course -Specific Funding and Bursaries

From September 2023, pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare students can apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

If eligible, you will receive:
- A training grant of £5,000 GBP per academic year.
- Increased parental support of £2,000 GBP, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs.
- Increased money back for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs (Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses) while you're on your practice placement.
- Students experiencing financial hardship (Exceptional Support Fund).

For more information and to see your eligibility, visit: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf

Please note, this government bursary is available to Home students only. Details on scholarships and bursaries available to Overseas and EU students can be found online: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/scholarshipsandbursaries/

Please note that International students will not be eligible for support for travel and accommodation.

Course -Specific Additional Costs

Students are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs relating to placements.

Placement expenses for travel, accommodation may be reimbursed by NHS Bursaries where, for example, the requirement exceeds that of attending university; requires transport out of normal operating hours; or requires additional accommodation to that of the usual term time location. These expenses may need to be covered initially by the student before any applicable reimbursement is received.

The current rates for reimbursement can be found here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf/travel-and-dual-accommodation-expenses

Find out More by Visiting Us

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Book Your Place
Three students walking together on campus in the sunshine
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.