About

Introduction

In a nutshell

While this course is closed for entry in September 2024, you can apply now through Clearing to start in January 2025.

Mental health nurses work in hospitals or in the community, offering support, education and care to people using mental health services.

On this course, you will experience the realities of contemporary 24-hour service provision when caring for patients across all aspects of the health/ill health continuum. 50% of your studies will be spent in hospital and community settings, within the NHS and independent sector which includes prison placements, where you will spend time in a well-supported environment, working alongside qualified practice assessors and supervisors.

On successful completion of this course, you will have a recognised degree qualification that leads to registration as a qualified nurse, with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

100% of our Mental Health Nursing (January start) and 95.6% of our Mental Health Nursing (September start) 2021/2022 graduates are in highly skilled employment (source: The Complete University Guide 2024).

We scored 93% on the ‘Teaching on my Course’ category in the National Student Survey 2024.

Our nursing community

Meet our inspirational and caring Nursing community. Gain insight into their journeys, placement experiences, and time at the University of Salford. Read our student stories.

You will:

Learn how to support people during the most acute phases of their distress
Learn how to work with people who have issues around substance misuse or offending behaviour
Learn how to help those with ongoing mental health condition

Placement

options available

International

students accepted

Course accreditations

Nursing student conducting physiological observations with a stethoscope in hand

Simulation Flat used by MH Nursing students

This is for you if...

1.

You are hardworking and committed

2.

You are prepared to work shifts

3.

You are a compassionate and caring character

4.

You can see yourself working with people from all kinds of backgrounds

5.

You want to make a real difference

6.

You have a strong desire to help people

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What You Need To Know

Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.

Applicant profile

Nursing is not a nine-to-five job. Neither is being a student nurse:

You will be expected to work the same shifts as your practice supervisor in hospital and community settings
You do not get long holiday breaks; our course works on the basis of seven weeks of annual leave per year (six weeks are allocated and non-negotiable plus one week of flexible annual leave)
Your placement may be up to 90 minutes away from the University of Salford

As part of the application process, you may be invited to complete an online assessment or activity. If this is the case we will contact you with further information.

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in writing. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

GCSE English and maths at grade c/grade 4 minimum (or equivalent)

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

It is preferred that applicants already hold grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language/Literature and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification, prior to making their application. Applicants who are in the process of completing their GCSE English Language and Mathematics or level 2 equivalents may also be considered.

For applicants who do not hold GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above, the following qualifications may be considered: Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics or a Maths Equivalency Test. For more information please visit www.equivalencytesting.com

UCAS Tariff points

104 UCAS Tariff points.

A-levels

104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of three A-Levels.

BTEC National Diploma

DMM

T-Level

T level - Overall grade of merit.

Access to HE

104 UCAS Tariff points. Health and Social Care related subjects preferred.

Scottish Highers

The equivalent of 104 UCAS Tariff points.

To include specific subjects: at least one of the following: Biology, Human Biology, Psychology or Sociology at Higher Level in lieu of GCSE with Maths and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

The equivalent of 104 UCAS Tariff points.

International Baccalaureate

30-31 points. 104 UCAS Tariff points equivalent.

International Students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

An applicant who does not possess one of the qualifications which satisfies the General Academic Entry Requirement may be considered through the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) as per the University’s Admissions and Retention Policy.

How Much?

Additional funding support for healthcare students

The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying the following courses:

Diagnostic Radiography
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Midwifery
Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing/social work)

Visit the NHSBSA website for further information.

Type of study	Year	Fees
Full-time home	2025/26	£9,535.00per year
Full-time international	2025/26	£17,650.00per year

Additional costs

For more information about uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our page of: Information for Students

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

As a graduate and qualified staff nurse in your chosen field of practice you will be able to apply for a job in either an acute setting such as a hospital or in the community. You may want to work within the NHS or in the public and private sectors for example, a ward, a health centre, a prison, a care home or a hospice.

A taste of what you could become

a qualified nurse

Career Links

You will work alongside qualified practice assessors and supervisors in practice learning areas where you will experience a wide variety of care-giving settings. You will be expected to work the same shift patterns as your practice supervisor (including weekends and night duty) and will need to be able to travel to and from clinical placements.

You will spend half of your time at the University and the other half working in hospital and community settings, within the NHS and independent sector. These practice learning opportunities will be across the Greater Manchester area including central Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Prestwich, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

Software Developer

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

23,926 / years

Nursing / RN Mental Health