Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) Integrated Degree Apprenticeship

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

This programme is perfect if you want to earn while you learn, combining paid work with university study so you graduate ready to work as a registered mental health nurse. You’ll gain real clinical experience from day one, learning in hospitals, community settings, and simulation labs, while developing the professional skills and knowledge that employers value.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Learning the essentials of nursing and mental health
In your first year, you’ll build the foundations every nurse needs. Applied Life Sciences for Nursing Practice introduces human anatomy, physiology, and common health conditions, while Introduction to Mental Health Nursing explores the principles of compassionate, recovery-focused care and common mental health conditions. Public Health helps you understand wider factors affecting wellbeing, and Practice Assessment Module Part 1 gives you your first hands-on placement experience.

Year 2 – Building clinical skills and evidence-based practice
Year 2 develops your skills in assessing and supporting people with mental health needs. Nursing Assessment in Mental Health Nursing teaches how to evaluate needs and plan care, while Collaborative Recovery Focused Psychological Interventions in Mental Health Nursing focuses on recovery-led approaches. Evidence Based Healthcare for Nursing Practice helps you apply research to clinical decisions, and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice develops safe medication knowledge. Practice Assessment Module Part 2 continues your supervised placement learning.

Year 3 – Professional transition and leadership
In your final year, you prepare to move confidently into professional practice. Becoming a Registrant focuses on accountability, care organisation, and compassionate practice. Collaborative Learning and Teaching in Practice strengthens teamwork and communication skills, while Complex Care for Mental Health Nursing and Leading Care for Mental Health Nursing develop advanced care and leadership abilities. Practice Assessment Module Part 3 ensures you meet the requirements for professional registration.

Focus areas: mental health nursing, clinical assessment and care planning, psychosocial recovery approaches, evidence-based practice, medicines management, leadership and professional transition

Learning outcomes: deliver safe, compassionate mental health care; assess and respond to complex needs; apply research and evidence to practice; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams; and transition confidently into registered practice

Professional alignment: on graduation, you are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for professional registration as a registered mental health nurse, giving your qualification recognised professional status in the UK and internationally

Reputation: Kingston University has a TEF Gold rating and is ranked top in London for Nursing and Midwifery by The Complete University Guide 2026. Mental health nursing is also highly rated in the Guardian University Guide 2026, reflecting excellent teaching, practical preparation, and strong graduate outcomes

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, learning isn’t just about lectures — it’s about doing. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience in real clinical settings and specialist training facilities, giving you the confidence to provide safe, compassionate mental health care. You’ll balance practical placements, simulation exercises, and teamwork activities, making sure you’re prepared for the challenges of professional practice while you continue earning as an apprentice:

Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills Facilities: Train in dedicated nursing suites with simulated wards, medication rooms, and immersive scenarios using lifelike manikins and role players to practice real-world nursing skills.
Clinical Placements: Work in hospitals, community settings, and independent healthcare environments to gain direct experience with a variety of patients and care approaches.
Recovery-Focused Partnerships: Learn from people with lived experience of mental health conditions through collaborations with initiatives like the Recovery College, building empathy and insight.
Blended Learning and Group Projects: Participate in workshops, project work, and reflective practice using Kingston’s online learning platform (CANVAS) and library resources to strengthen both practical and academic skills.
Professional Mentoring: Benefit from guidance and feedback from personal tutors and practice learning teams throughout your placements and simulation sessions.

These experiences are designed to help you grow your confidence, professional judgment, and practical skills — so when you graduate, you’re fully prepared to step into your role as a registered mental health nurse.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) Integrated Degree Apprenticeship at Kingston University means stepping straight into a career where you can make a real difference. Most students move directly into professional roles such as registered mental health nurse, community mental health practitioner, psychiatric liaison nurse, or recovery worker, working across hospitals, community services, and specialist mental health teams. Because you train while working, you finish the course confident, experienced, and ready for practice.

Your degree opens doors to a wide range of opportunities, supported by Kingston’s strong links with the healthcare sector:

Dedicated careers support: Kingston’s Careers and Employability team supports you throughout your studies and beyond, offering one-to-one advice, CV and interview support, job fairs, and access to healthcare-focused job platforms to help you secure the right role after qualifying.
Strong employment prospects: Nursing graduates from Kingston have high employment outcomes, with the majority moving into work or further study shortly after graduation, often in roles directly linked to their training.
Earn while you learn: As an apprentice, you gain valuable paid experience alongside your degree, making you highly employable and well prepared for the realities of mental health nursing.
Close links with healthcare providers: The course is developed in partnership with local NHS trusts and healthcare organisations, ensuring placements and learning reflect real workforce needs and helping you build professional networks early on.
Professional recognition: On successful completion, you’ll be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, a qualification recognised across the UK and internationally.
A confident start to your career: Graduates leave Kingston with strong clinical skills, academic knowledge, and real-world experience, giving them a solid foundation to grow and progress within the NHS or wider health and social care settings.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, Kingston offers opportunities to progress to postgraduate qualifications such as Advanced Clinical Practice, Leadership in Health Care, or Specialist Mental Health Nursing. These pathways can support career progression into senior clinical roles, leadership and management, education, research, or service development—allowing you to shape the future of mental health care as your career develops.