MNSW (Hons) Mental Health Nursing & Social Work

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edge Hill University

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting people facing mental health challenges while also addressing their broader social needs, the MNSW (Hons) Mental Health Nursing & Social Work degree at Edge Hill University is the perfect choice. This four-year programme combines clinical nursing with social work practice, giving you the skills and confidence to register as a qualified mental health nurse and apply for social worker registration, preparing you to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations in Nursing and Social Work
In your first year, you’ll explore nursing and social work as two complementary professions and build the essential knowledge to begin your career. Modules like Contemporary Nursing, Contemporary Social Work, and Foundations for Integrated Practice introduce professional values, ethical practice, life sciences, and practical skills for your first nursing placement.

Year 2 – Applying Integrated Practice
Year two brings your learning closer to real-world care by exploring how children, young people, adults, and families are supported across different settings. Through modules such as Adults Within an Integrated Health and Social Care Context, Children, Young People and Their Families Within an Integrated Health and Social Care Context, and Law and Policy in Nursing and Social Work, you’ll gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of legal frameworks and ethical decision-making.

Year 3 – Working with Complexity and Evidence
Your third year focuses on more complex care situations and the use of research to inform practice. Modules like Working with Complexity in Health and Social Care, Enhancing Confidence and Capability for Integrated Practice, and Research Methods in Health and Social Care develop your clinical judgment, confidence, and ability to apply evidence in real practice.

Year 4 – Professional Practice and Leadership
The final year emphasizes extended placements and leadership. With modules such as Achieving Competence and Proficiency for Professional Registration, Leadership in Integrated Health and Social Care, and the MNSW Dissertation, you’ll consolidate your skills and complete a substantial project, demonstrating readiness for professional roles.

Focus areas: integrated mental health nursing, social work assessment and intervention, legal and ethical practice, multidisciplinary care, research application, leadership development.

Learning outcomes: deliver compassionate, evidence-based care; conduct holistic assessments; apply legal and ethical decision-making; demonstrate leadership and reflective practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Eligible to register as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and apply to register as a social worker with Social Work England.

Reputation (employability rankings): Developed with the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership, this programme meets national professional standards and equips graduates for valued roles across NHS, social care, and community organisations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MNSW (Hons) Mental Health Nursing & Social Work programme at Edge Hill University, you’ll gain hands-on experience from day one. You won’t just learn about mental health and social care in lectures — you’ll practise your skills in realistic settings, from clinical simulations on campus to real-world placements across NHS, community, and voluntary organisations. This approach helps you build confidence, refine your professional judgment, and develop the teamwork and communication skills essential for a career in integrated care:

Here’s how your practical learning is structured to support your growth:

Professional Practice Placements: Spend significant time working directly with people experiencing mental health challenges across a variety of settings, guided by experienced nurses and social workers.
Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre: Practise essential techniques and scenarios in life-like environments, including wards, consultation rooms, and community care spaces, using advanced equipment and full-body patient simulators.
Multidisciplinary Learning Activities: Participate in workshops, group discussions, and case studies through the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership, mirroring the collaborative nature of integrated care.
Simulated and Technology‑Enhanced Sessions: Use seminars, tutorials, digital tools, and simulations to link theory with practice, enhance your clinical reasoning, and prepare for diverse situations you’ll encounter during placements.
Guided Reflection and Professional Development: Receive ongoing support from practice assessors and educators to reflect on your learning, strengthen communication skills, and meet professional competency standards.
Campus Learning Resources: Access the Catalyst library and faculty study spaces to prepare for placements, research cases, and connect academic knowledge with practical experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduate outcomes: This unique dual-registration degree opens doors straight into meaningful, in-demand careers where you can make a real difference from day one. Graduates typically move into roles such as Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Care Coordinator, or Community Support Practitioner — with the flexibility to work across both health and social care settings:

What this means for your future career:

Clear routes into professional roles
• You’ll be eligible to register as a Mental Health Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and as a Social Worker with Social Work England, giving you two respected professional registrations rather than just one.
• This dual qualification is highly valued by employers because it allows you to work confidently in multidisciplinary teams across the NHS, local authorities and the voluntary sector.
Strong career support while you study
• Edge Hill’s Careers and Employability Service supports you with CV writing, interview preparation and job applications — not just at the end of your course, but throughout your studies.
• You’ll also be guided by dedicated practice learning and placement teams, helping you succeed during your supervised placements and build real professional confidence before you graduate.
Excellent employment prospects and earning potential
• The vast majority of Edge Hill health and social care graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.
• Starting salaries in mental health nursing and social work typically begin at around £27,000–£30,000, with clear progression opportunities as you gain experience.
Real-world experience through trusted partnerships
• Your placements are delivered through Edge Hill’s partnerships with NHS trusts, local authorities and voluntary organisations, including the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership.
• These connections often lead directly to job opportunities after graduation.
A qualification with long-term value
• Because the course is fully accredited by both the NMC and Social Work England, your qualification is recognised nationally and remains valuable as your career develops.
• Graduates are well-prepared to take on leadership, specialist and advanced practitioner roles later in their careers.
Strong outcomes at graduation
• You’ll leave with practical experience, professional confidence and two recognised career pathways — something very few degrees can offer.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this programme, many graduates choose to continue their studies by specialising further. You could progress into advanced nursing practice, mental health leadership, public health, or specialist social work training. Others go on to postgraduate certificates, diplomas or even doctoral study, opening doors to senior clinical roles, research positions or teaching in higher education.