Nursing Studies (Mental Health) BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Teesside University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Mental Health) at Teesside University prepares you to become a confident, compassionate mental health nurse, ready to support people experiencing mental health challenges across hospitals, community services, and specialist care settings. This course is perfect for students who want hands-on, practical experience while learning how to make a real difference in people’s lives through evidence-based, person-centred care.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in nursing practice, with modules like Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Professionalism, Relationships and Communication, and Understanding Health and Illness. You’ll begin placements early, gaining real-world experience and learning how theory connects to practice in supporting patients with diverse health needs.

Year 2:
Year 2 focuses on mental health nursing in more depth. Modules such as Mental Health Nursing Intervention 1, Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing Practice 2, and Service Improvement teach you how to assess and support people with complex mental health needs. You’ll apply your learning in NHS placements across community and hospital settings, developing confidence and clinical decision-making skills.

Year 3:
Your final year helps you refine leadership and advanced practice skills. Modules like Mental Health Nursing Intervention 2, Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing Practice 3, and a Dissertation Module allow you to take greater responsibility in practice, deliver holistic care, and complete research projects that strengthen your professional judgement before registration.

Focus areas: mental health nursing practice, evidence-based decision-making, person-centred care, service improvement, leadership.

Learning outcomes: develop practical nursing skills, make holistic and evidence-based care decisions, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams, and lead safe, compassionate nursing interventions.

Professional alignment (accreditation): fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register as a qualified mental health nurse on graduation.

Reputation (employability rankings): Teesside’s nursing courses are supported by strong NHS placement partnerships and industry-standard simulation facilities, giving graduates excellent preparation and confidence to enter the workforce.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Teesside, your Mental Health Nursing degree is all about learning by doing. You won’t just sit in lectures — from the very first year, you’ll spend time in real clinical placements, gaining hands-on experience caring for people with diverse mental health needs in hospitals, community settings, and specialist services. On campus, you’ll practise in simulation suites and immersive labs and use virtual reality tools to develop your clinical decision-making and confidence before stepping into real-world placements. This combination of practice and theory ensures you graduate ready to make a real difference in people’s lives:

Hands-on learning includes:
• Clinical placements in NHS and community settings — work directly with patients on wards and in community mental health teams, linking theory to practice.
• Virtual reality simulations — practise challenging scenarios safely, helping you build confidence and refine clinical judgement.
• Simulation suites and immersive labs — recreate hospital and home care environments on campus, allowing repeated practice of essential skills.
• Blended learning with group work and digital tools — interactive lectures, workshops, and e-learning activities complement your placement experience.
• Service user involvement — learn directly from people with lived experience and carers to better understand real-life mental health perspectives.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Teesside’s Mental Health Nursing degree gives you the skills, confidence, and professional registration to make a real difference in people’s lives, supporting those with mental health needs in hospitals, community teams, and specialist care settings. Many graduates go on to careers as Mental Health Nurse, Community Mental Health Practitioner, Specialist Care Coordinator, Nurse Educator, Crisis Support Nurse, or Clinical Team Leader:

• Career support: Teesside’s Careers and Employability team helps you every step of the way with CV workshops, interview practice, and NHS-focused career events. Your placements with local NHS Trusts also allow you to build networks and professional connections before you even graduate.
• Employment prospects & salary: Around 92% of graduates are employed in roles where their degree is directly relevant within 15 months, with starting salaries around £29,000–£30,000, increasing as experience grows.
• Industry partnerships: You’ll complete placements across NHS Trusts, community mental health teams, GP practices, and specialist services, giving you real-world exposure to diverse patients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional recognition: Fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this degree allows you to register as a qualified mental health nurse, a highly valued and protected professional qualification in the UK.
• Graduation outcomes: Graduates often move into NHS or community roles and can progress into leadership, specialist, educational, or advanced practice positions as their careers develop.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree, you can pursue postgraduate opportunities such as a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice or Mental Health, leadership and education programs, or research degrees like an MSc or PhD, opening doors to senior clinical, policy, academic, or consultancy roles in mental health care.