BSc (Single Honours) Mental Health Nursing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Roehampton

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting people’s mental health, this course equips you to become a fully qualified mental health nurse. You’ll learn how to help individuals with both mental and physical health needs, from early support and prevention to treatment and long‑term care

Curriculum structure

Year 1: You’ll start by building strong foundations with modules like Foundations of Mental Health Nursing, Fundamentals of Life Sciences, and Promoting Health and Preventing Ill‑Health. Alongside classroom learning, early Practice Learning gives you hands-on experience in real healthcare settings, helping you develop communication, teamwork, and care-planning skills.

Year 2: This year focuses on caring for patients in more complex situations. Modules like Nursing Care of the Acutely Ill Person (Mental Health) and Nursing Care in Long-Term Conditions (Mental Health) teach you how to support people through acute episodes and long-term mental health challenges, including managing medication and holistic care.

Year 3: In your final year, you’ll tackle Delivering Complex and Integrated Care in Mental Health Nursing and an independent capstone project through Innovate and Impact in Life and Health Sciences. Advanced Practice Learning rounds off your experience, helping you refine clinical skills, leadership, and decision-making — readying you to step confidently into professional practice.

Focus areas: Mental health nursing, acute and long-term care, evidence-based practice, holistic support, community and inpatient settings.
Learning outcomes: Assess mental and physical health needs, deliver person-centred care, manage long-term and acute conditions, work effectively in teams, and practice safely and ethically.
Professional alignment (accreditation): Graduates are eligible to register as a Mental Health Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Reputation (employability / ranking): Roehampton is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Nursing by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Roehampton, Mental Health Nursing isn’t just about lectures — it’s about getting real, hands-on experience from day one. You’ll practice essential nursing skills in realistic, purpose-built environments and then apply them during placements in hospitals, community services, and mental health centres. This mix of classroom, simulation, and real-world experience helps you gain confidence, build practical skills, and understand what it’s really like to support people with mental health needs.

Here’s how you’ll learn by doing:

Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC): Practice core nursing skills on hi-tech patient simulators and in realistic wards, consulting rooms, and simulated patient homes — all designed to give you safe, hands-on experience.
Real-world placements: Spend time in hospitals, community mental health services, hospices, and primary care centres, experiencing both inpatient and community-based mental health care.
Inter-professional learning: Work alongside students from other healthcare fields to understand how mental health nursing fits into broader care teams.
Library & digital resources: Access modern libraries, online journals, and e-resources tailored for nursing and mental health studies.
Flexible campus options: Study at the main Roehampton campus or the Croydon University Centre, which has its own simulation facilities and community-based learning environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing Roehampton’s Mental Health Nursing degree sets you up for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Graduates often work in hospitals, community care, hospices, or rehabilitation centres, supporting individuals with both mental and physical health needs. Typical roles include Registered Mental Health Nurse, Community Nurse, Hospice Nurse, or Clinical Staff Nurse in specialist mental health settings.

Here’s how the course helps you get there:

Career support: Roehampton’s Student Futures team provides guidance on CVs, interviews, and job applications, and connects you to employers through platforms like Handshake.
Strong employability: Around 90% of graduates are working or studying 15 months after finishing, with many in highly skilled nursing roles.
Employer connections: The course works closely with NHS trusts, community health services, and mental health providers, giving you practical experience and networking opportunities.
Professional accreditation: Graduates can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse — the essential qualification to practice in the UK.
Flexible career paths: You can work in hospitals, community teams, hospices, care homes, or even move into research, teaching, or management roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could specialise further with postgraduate studies in areas like advanced mental health practice, nursing leadership, or research. This opens doors to roles such as advanced practitioner, nurse educator, researcher, or healthcare manager.