School of Nursing and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32 - 48 Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code B769
Institution code P60
Duration

4 years

(with placements)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
Register for open day
Apply at UCAS.com

Our Integrated foundation course prepares you for the undergraduate degree in nursing. Through a focussed learning experience, you will examine the science and practice of modern human biology, biomedical/healthcare and nursing science. With a focus on experiential learning, intensive and early assessment with rapid feedback this course will support your learning and understanding of the broad spectrum of health services and how they interlink across the NHS.

Careers with this subject
Mental health nurses support a person’s recovery to gain increased control over their conditions to establish trusting and effective relationships. They promote health and wellbeing through personalised treatment to improve the quality of their patient’s lives. They work in a multidisciplinary team, using evidence-based practice.
Mental health nurses work with a wide range of conditions to help to improve patient’s health and overall quality of life, where possible.
  • Addition issues
    This relates to a range of substance misuse, it is possible to be addicted to anything. You may work with people with drug, alcohol, gambling, smoking, work, internet, solvent or shopping addictions.
  • Anxiety disorders
    This can have a debilitating effect on an individual’s day to day life. They may suffer from occasional anxiety or from repeated episodes that can be difficult to control. Some disorders you may work with include generalised anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias or separation anxiety.
  • Depression
    Depression can affect people in many ways. Mental health nurses work with people who may be majorly depressed, have melancholy, suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and many more.
  • Eating disorders
    Mental health nurses work with people with anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder, OSFED, ARFID to help people create better relationships with food.
  • Personality disorders
    Someone with a personality disorder thinks, feels, behaves or relates to others very differently from the average person. Some disorders you might encounter include paranoid, schizoid, antisocial, borderline, dependent and many more.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders
    Mental health nurses work with a wide range of people that may be suffering from a form of OCD. Some of the most common conditions include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, ordering, arranging, hoarding and many more.
  • Post-traumatic stress
    This condition is triggered by a terrifying event for a person that has either experienced or witnessed it. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts.
  • Perinatal mental health issues
    This relates to problems experienced right after and up to a year after the birth of a baby, and can affect both parents. Mental health nurses work with those suffering from postnatal depression and other conditions, to support new parents.
Mental health nursing is a broad discipline, you could work with people and children of all ages such as:
  • people who may be suicidal
  • people who may be isolated
  • people who may be vulnerable
  • people who may be homeless
  • people who may be from minority communities
  • veterans
  • people who may be encountering relationship difficulties
  • people with legal or financial problems
  • people who are in poverty
  • people with pre-existing medical conditions
  • people who are unhappy
  • people who may be experiencing family conflicts.
Within the nursing profession there are a multitude of job opportunities. You could work in the NHS, within the public or private sector. For example:
  • NHS hospitals
  • Public health and policy making
  • Communities
  • Patient’s homes
  • Outpatient units
  • Private practice
  • GP surgeries
  • Prisons
  • Armed Forces
  • Specialist units
  • Secure residential units
  • Community centres
  • Education and academia
  • Research
  • Leadership roles
  • Voluntary roles

Advice from graduate Rebecca Richards:

"Do it, but know why you want to: you’ll need that when you’re up all night, or stressed out. It’s not an easy course; it challenges and changes you in a lot of different ways, so you have to want to be there."

Key features
Achieve a bachelors honours degree and register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in mental health enabling you to progress on to a rewarding career and work in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally. You’ll have a balanced learning experience with a wide and innovative range of teaching and assessment methods both in academic study and in practice. Your time with us will enable you to work with a range of allied health professions and other fields of nursing.
  • Taught by University lecturers on campus, you’ll be part of the University from day one.
  • Experience a course that teaches contemporary and innovative mental health practice.
  • Focus on developing your interpersonal skills and the importance of building therapeutic relationships.
  • Equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to graduate with professional status as a registered mental health nurse.
  • Qualify with outstanding employment opportunities in a profession that offers excellent career progression.
  • Train and practice your professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place.
  • Experience clinical placements across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset designed to maximise your range of experiences and clinical skills.
  • Learn from experienced doctors and professors in their field.

Course details

  • Year 0

  • This programme offers an opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Nursing starting at year zero as an Integrated Foundation Year.
    Students undertaking the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) with Integrated Foundation Year programme will normally progress to BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health).

    Core modules

    BHCS001
    Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics 20 credits

    This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    BHCS002
    Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences 20 credits

    This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.

    100% Practicals

    FMD001
    Molecules to Cells 20 credits

    This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    FMD002
    Introduction to Human Physiology 20 credits

    This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    50% Practicals

    50% Examinations

    FMD004
    Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning) 20 credits

    This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline

    100% Coursework

    SOHP001
    Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions 20 credits

    This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning and professional development.

    100% Coursework

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

GCSEs
5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English, and Science. Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in Mathematics. Please note we do not accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English, or Key Skills in Maths or English, or Adult Literacy/Numeracy.
Plus one of the following:
A levels
32-48 Tariff points to include a minimum of two A levels.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass an Access to HE Diploma – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered..
BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
PPP – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall. Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered. English, Mathematics, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent at higher level = 4, standard level = 5
T level
Pass overall. Health or Science pathway is preferred but any subject considered.
Other
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C at GCSE level).
English language
Applicants where English is not their first language must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English and a minimum IELTS score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in any section. English language requirements .
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Extended entry requirements
  • Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
  • We will require an academic reference and an employer reference as part of the application process.
  • Attend an interview.
  • You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
All students must be 18 or over at the start of the programme.

Further information

Enhancing your application

Meeting the academic minimum does not guarantee you a place, you need to make sure that you are strong across all sections of your application form. Read more about enhancing your application

Interview days

Once your application has been received, we will consider your application to help us reach a decision. If successful at the initial screening stage, you will be invited to an interview. The majority of health courses interview applicants, as this is a requirement of many health regulatory bodies. This applies to all Universities and is vital to the progression of applications.
Interviews enable:
  • you to give the best account of your skills, experience and character.
  • us to decide whether you will thrive in the University of Plymouth’s culture.
  • us to explain more about the University, programme and how we work with our students.
Find out more about interview days: pre-work tasks, what to expect on the day of the interview and what happens after.

Screening

All offers are subject to satisfactory screening in terms of your health, welfare and disclosure and barring processes, before the start of your course.
Find out more about the screening

NHS constitution

University pre-registration programmes for health professionals are required to select their applicants using a ‘values based’ approach. As part of this process, your UCAS personal statement should include evidence of your personal commitment to NHS values laid out in the NHS constitution.

Fees, costs and funding
New student 2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £18,100 £18,650
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and more details of any additional costs associated with our courses are listed on the following page: Additional costs for nursing and midwifery students .

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website. The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 30 May 2025 for entry in September 2025.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office .

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth recognise that people may act out of character in times of trouble or distress. However, we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour or language towards any of our staff during the admissions process. Hostile, aggressive, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour or language, whether expressed verbally or in writing, will be viewed seriously and may adversely affect the consideration of an application, appeal, or complaint. We reserve the right to reject an application from, or withdraw an offer to, an applicant who has behaved in an inappropriate manner.

Clinical Skills Resources

Placement experience and simulated practice will work hand-in-hand to enable you to become the best professional you can be.
At Plymouth, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art clinical simulation wards and equipment to allow you to develop a range of skills that are specific to the profession you are entering, in addition to a variety of basic health related skills, including:
  • physical examinations
  • patient and family interviews
  • diagnostic skills
  • washing hands
  • manual handling
  • observing and monitoring
  • blood pressure reading
  • injections
  • medication administration.

Placements

Experience nursing practice in a variety of clinical settings, whilst learning collaboratively within dynamic healthcare teams.
Practical experience is an integral part of the nursing course. In placements you will learn with a wide range of practice partners gaining clinical experience in the full range of healthcare conditions that affect people everyday
Male nursing student

Advancing your career

Through evidence-informed theoretical study and a variety of clinical practice opportunities, our alumni have gained the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to succeed in the nursing profession. We also provide a range of post-registration courses to further develop your aspirations in nursing.

Student insight

Whether you're seeking practical advice, inspiration or a taste of mental health nursing at Plymouth our students offer you a comprehensive view of their journey.
Mental health nursing skills session. Nursing and midwifery facilities

People