MSc Mental Health Nursing (Pre-registration)

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.

We deliver the course in blocks of teaching weeks where you’ll spend full weeks either learning theory or out in practice/simulated practice. Nursing is a challenging profession, both mentally and physically, which carries a great deal of responsibility. Mental health nurses care for people across the lifespan including young adults and others with acute and long-term illnesses in a range of settings both NHS and non-NHS. They work as part of a wider multi-agency team including police and the justice system, social work, social care and a range of other support services providing a range of opportunities for employment.

This course specialises in the assessment, treatment and support of individuals with a range of complex mental health needs. You’ll gain experience working as a student nurse in a variety of settings, these may include acute inpatient facilities and specialist hospitals, home treatment and crisis teams in the community, outpatient clinics, prison services and private organisations. During your placement, you will be assigned a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor(s) and an Academic Assessor from Manchester Met. Our aim is to provide robust support for your practice and educational needs.

All applicants must have achieved a minimum of a first degree (2:2 or above) and should have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics, English Language, and Science, and provide evidence of IT skills through a formal qualification or the completion of a self-assessment questionnaire.

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. Please contact Admissions for more information.

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. You should not achieve less than the equivalent of an IELTS academic score of 6.5 in each of the sections of Reading, Listening and Speaking and 6.0 in the section of Writing as an alternative to GCSE English Language.

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this programme. In addition, students who have resided outside the UK will be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory overseas police check. Instructions on how to complete these checks will be provided once you hold a firm offer for this course.

Satisfactory occupational health clearance is also required to participate in this course.

Interview attendance

All applications are considered by the admissions team on an individual basis; consideration throughout the application process and during interview is also given to relevant additional educational achievements, life experience and transferable skills, alongside references, personal statements (utilising values-based recruitment criteria set by the NHS) and the overall interview score.

All shortlisted candidates are required to attend a group interview remotely.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is expected to demonstrate an insight into your chosen field of nursing, including an understanding of care environments and current issues in contemporary nursing or health care. It should include an understanding of the NHS core values.
You should describe the concept of a professional attitude, effective communication skills, good time-management skills, and an awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses. An awareness of the NMC code and the vision for the training of the future nurse and how this can support the delivery of high-quality person-centered care should be included. You should convey your ability to work both independently and as part of a team and demonstrate motivation and a commitment to preparing to study as a nurse, demonstrating an ability to solve problems and to think creatively in conveying a leadership capacity and how this is important in the nursing profession.

Pre-Entry Portfolio: mandatory prior study and relevant experience.

Download the Pre-Entry Portfolio here.

What is the portfolio and why do I need it?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires all students on pre-registration nursing programmes to undertake a minimum of 4,600 hours of theory and practice combined to enter the professional register.

This is normally achieved over three years on a BSc pre-registration course. To ensure students on the accelerated two-year MSc programme can meet the NMC requirements for registration, you’ll need to complete 1,000 hours of both theoretical and practice related before entry.

You’ll document and evidence your 1,000 hours in your pre-entry portfolio. We’ve designed the portfolio to assist you with both understanding the pre-entry requirements and compiling the evidence to help prepare you for the programme.

What does the portfolio consist of?

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.

For your practice-related experience, you can undertake paid or voluntary work experience in a variety of care and health settings. For independent theoretical learning, we will provide candidates with access to online learning resources following your group interview if required.

For full guidance on gaining relevant experience and what evidence you’ll need to provide, please see the Pre-Entry Portfolio here.

How long will it take to complete the portfolio?

If you have existing care experience amounting to the required hours:

- we advise it may take between 4-6 weeks to complete
If you do not have existing care experience amounting to the required care experience hours:
- we advise it may take between 12-14 weeks to obtain the 500 hours and complete the portfolio

When should I complete and submit the portfolio?

You do not need to start your portfolio until after receiving your offer.

You can download the portfolio prior to application but you must have submitted a UCAS application to Manchester Met in order to gain access to the supporting learning resources.
Following your application and successful group interview, you'll receive further guidance on what to include in the portfolio from our admissions tutor. Any offer will be conditional on the completion of the assessed portfolio guidance.

What happens once I have completed the portfolio?
Once you have completed your portfolio and supporting evidence, you’ll submit it by email to the health admissions team.

An academic panel and external examiner for the programme will assess your portfolio and advise if you have met the required criteria. You may be requested to provide further evidence if the panel feel you have not demonstrated sufficient evidence.

You’ll find full guidance on Pre-Entry Portfolio here.

Satisfactory occupational health clearance is required to participate in this course.