Everything you need to know...
Course summary
- Build on your undergraduate experience to fully qualify as a nurse.
- Understand health sciences in the practice setting.
- Gain the skills and values to enter highly skilled employment.
- Learn to develop and deliver person-centred care.
- Reflect on the evolution of the nursing role.
This unique course is an exciting opportunity to transform the lives of individuals and communities by becoming a fully qualified mental health nurse. You’ll consider the changing nature of health, illness and recovery – as well as the relationship between healthcare professionals and service users. You’ll graduate as a reflective, competent and employable professional.
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 100% in highly skilled employment or further study (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Accredited by
This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You must be registered with the NMC in order to practise as a nurse in the UK.
Student View
Watch student Clare Manley talk about what it’s like to study on this course.

Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
On this course you’ll learn from enthusiastic academic staff who have a variety of clinical expertise and experience. You’ll apply your theoretical study directly to the practice of nursing on real-world healthcare challenges. You’ll develop a strong professional identity and confidence.
You learn through
- practice learning (50%)
- lectures
- workshops
- projects and group work
- presentations
- simulation
- independent learning
- skills rehearsal
- technology-enhanced learning
Nurses are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team. In some modules you’ll learn and collaborate with students from other health and social care courses. This approach will help you to deliver person-centred care – with an understanding of how other professionals contribute to the person's journey through health and social care services.
Course leaders and tutors

Sara Morris-Docker
Senior LecturerPassionate about pre and post-registration nurse education I am currently investigating the development of teaching methods that focus on building learning landscape … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you’ll develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. The experiences you’re provided with are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes.
These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. They’ll take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face to face to service users.
We’ll ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) – which governs the mental health nursing profession. So by the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as a mental health nurse.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- acute hospitals
- secure hospitals
- prisons
- community work
- acute inpatients services
- elderly services
- emergency department
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities

Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- advanced clinical facilities
- mock wards and operating facilities
- Oxford Medical Simulation – Virtual Reality software
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
You need a first degree recognised in the UK at 2:2 or above and
GCSE's (single or double) in
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents*
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
*GCSE Maths equivalents
• Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number/Grade D at GCSE Maths/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
• maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
*GCSE English equivalents
• Level 2 Literacy
• Level 2 Key Skills
*GCSE Science equivalents
• OCR Science Level 2
• science units gained on a Level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma Qualification
• science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits gained at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
• science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
IELTS
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Recognition of your prior learning (RPL)
Usually nurse education lasts three years. However, completion of your first degree and relevant care experience within the last five years allows you to 'credit against' the first year of nurse education. A condition of starting a place on the MSc Nursing programme is a submission of evidence of how your first degree and prior experience relates to nursing, applicants are able to accrue further evidence in the time between application and enrolment with the support of a dedicated supervisor where needed. The evidence will demonstrate that you meet the same standard of a student nurse completing their first year of the nursing programme. Your RPL will include a number of clinical proficiencies that need to be assessed in a care situation and the completion of a total of 760 hours worked in a relevant setting. This includes 160 hours which need to be supervised and countersigned by a GMC Registered Nurse.
Guidance and support will be offered on how to complete your RPL following a successful interview. Visit our FAQ page for further information on preparing your evidence for the RPL.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare on the forms provided during the admissions process:
• unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
• involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
• enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
• You must undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
Immunisations
• You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK you are expected to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the professional requirements of your course. This is also an opportunity to meet fellow applicants to the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, some current students and teaching staff.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, you must tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards for education and training and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our nursing and midwifery disability co-ordinator on 0114 225 2470 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Open day
Our online open days give you an opportunity to chat live to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities virtually as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our online open days please follow this link: University open days.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, contact our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Year 1
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Creating Original Practice | Credits: 45 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Evaluating Research Methodologies | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Module: Person Centred Care - Providing And Evaluating | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Sciences For Nursing Practice | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Understanding Complexity In Practice | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Evaluating Complexity In Practice | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Leading For The Future | Credits: 15 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Person Centred Care - Leading And Coordinating | Credits: 30 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is still to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fees for UK students starting this course in 2023/24 are £9,250 per year.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

Health and social care funding
£5,000 maintenance grant is available to fund your studies. Additionally, payments of up to £3000 per year may also be available, eligibility applies.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Nursing and midwifery courses (PDF, 259.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.