Nursing BNurs Mental Health

With the need for mental health nurses ever growing, our course has been specifically designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to help patients lead happy and healthy lives. Benefit from hands-on experience through our exclusive placements as we support you to excel in the field mental health nursing.

Become a registered mental health nurse, gaining expert knowledge and real-world experience in a diverse and fast paced learning environment. Apply now.

We will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) for entrance to onto our undergraduate programmes. Holders of the Thanawiyah are not normally eligible for direct entry onto our undergraduate courses without the completion of a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our foundation pathways.

English Language

You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the entry requirements for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.

Number of A levels required:

3

Typical offer:

BBB

General Studies:

Not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of your offer

All applicants must meet in full both the GCSE and Level 3/higher qualification entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing programme. The only exception to meeting the GCSE requirements in full applies to some Access applicants, please see the relevant section below for more details.

Please note previous academic study will be considered when assessing the suitability of applicants for interview.

GCSE requirements:

5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above which must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject. We do not accept level 2 equivalents e.g. BTEC, Key skills.

The achievement of the minimum GCSE criteria for application does not guarantee being shortlisted to interview.

Preferred subjects and grades:

Biology, Psychology or Sociology A level, and two others. Welsh Baccalaureate at grade B can substitute one of the A Levels.

Edexcel Level 3 extended project:

Grade A in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is accepted in addition to 3 A Levels (of equivalent level 3 qualifications). You would be made a variable offer e.g. BBB or BBC plus A in the EPQ (subject to conditions – see “How we make an offer” webpage for full details).

T Levels:

Grade requirements of Merit overall with B in the Core will be accepted for the below T Levels.

• Health
• Healthcare Science
• Science

You must also meet in full the GCSE entry requirements for the programme (see above).

BTEC:

BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Applied Science accepted. Grades required - DDD
BTEC Diploma considered on a case by case basis when combined with an A level (typical offer DD plus B)
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma considered on a case by case basis when combined with an A level

You must also meet in full the GCSE entry requirements for the programme (see above).

CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

A CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care is accepted with a minimum of grade B overall. You must offer a minimum of grade B in each of the mandatory units: Anatomy and Physiology for health and social care and research skills for health and social care as well as a minimum of grade B in pharmacology (optional unit).

International Baccalaureate Diploma:

32 points with 3 subjects at higher level graded 5, 5, 5. You must also meet in full the GCSE entry requirements for the programme (see above).

Access to Higher Education (Health or Science):

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 including 30 at distinction, 15 at merit (to include study of Physiology or Biology) and 15 credits at level 2. Access courses must have been completed within the last two years to be valid. You must meet the GCSE entry requirements in full for the programme (as above). However, if it is more than 5 years since you took your GCSE’s and you also have 2 years full time paid work experience in health and social care, you are only required to have GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at grade C or above.

Minimum Age Requirement

As this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

Graduate Entry Requirements:

Bachelor degree minimum 2:2 or Masters or PhD. You must also meet in full the GCSE entry requirements for the programme (see above).

If you already have a degree, and experience working in social care, why not consider our MSc Nursing programme, which leads to nursing registration in 2 years.

International students:

We can only accept applications from those considered as home fee status.

Read our Nursing FAQ's

Due to the large number of applications for the Bachelor of Nursing programme, shortlisting takes place prior to candidates being invited to attend for a face to face interview. Shortlisting is based on consideration of your:

• Personal statement
• Actual or predicted grades
• Reference

Both within your personal statement and at interview, we are looking for evidence of the following:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A clear understanding of the University of Birmingham Bachelor of Nursing programme
• Enthusiasm for a career in nursing and having a desire to make a difference within healthcare
• Understanding of what a nurse does and the values and personal qualities that make a good nurse
• Skills and knowledge gained when undertaking relevant work experience or voluntary work
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting or experience of being a carer or a service user
• Knowledge of current national issues within nursing and healthcare
• Skills acquired whilst undertaking Edexcel level 3 extended project
• Capacity for independent study
• Awareness of equal opportunities and cultural diversity

Please be aware that meeting the minimum requirements for entry, does not guarantee you an interview or an offer of a place on the programme.

Disability and dyslexia advice and support

The University of Birmingham has a positive view of what candidates with disabilities can achieve as future healthcare professionals and we take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed up to and including the interview, based on the criteria outlined above regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability we will invite you to work with us together with the disability team, clinical colleagues and specialist services to explore how best we can support your studies.

Find our more about our disability and dyslexia support

Realising Opportunities programme

Realising Opportunities (RO) is a unique collaboration of 12 leading Universities, working together to promote fair access and social mobility of students from under-represented groups. Students are supported through a coherent programme of activities designed to raise their aspirations to progress to research intensive Universities.

Applications through UCAS to RO Partner universities from participating students will be given additional consideration with the potential to receive an alternative RO offer from many Partners. Please ask your school or college if they are involved in this programme.

Realising Opportunities website

Conditions of offers and programme requirements

If you do decide to accept a place at the University of Birmingham, you are required to comply with the following:

• Achievement of the academic requirements for entry to the Bachelor of Nursing
• A satisfactory health declaration, including evidence of appropriate immunisations and Occupational Health clearance if required - further information can be found on our Health and Immunisation Forms page

• Clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), previously known as Criminal Record Bureau. (CRB) checks. You will receive an email from our central admissions team regarding DBS checks approximately 2-3 weeks after you have firmly accepted your place on the course. This email will contain further instructions, next steps and advise of the deadline for submitting your DBS application. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folders for this email before contacting us.

• You sign and adhere to the ‘University Code of Professional Practice and Fitness to Practice’ thereby agreeing to certain levels of conduct, behaviour and health whilst studying on the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Details of which will be forwarded with an offer letter
• On commencement of the course, provide original copies of academic certificates and photo identification. These will be photocopied and kept on your personal file, in order to comply with NHS fraud requirements
• Agree to travel to clinical placements in hospitals and the community, in the Birmingham and Solihull area
• Agree to undertake shifts including early morning, afternoon, evening and night duty on weekdays, weekends and bank holidays, both within hospitals and community settings
• Comply with uniform and infection control policy on clinical placement

Health and Immunisation

International Students

We can only accept applications from those considered as home fee status.