Children's and Mental Health Nursing MNurs (Hons) (Integrated Master's)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Chester

Program Overview

The Children’s and Mental Health Nursing MNurs (Hons) at University of Chester is a unique dual-field degree designed for students who want to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and individuals facing mental health challenges. It combines hands-on clinical experience with strong academic foundations, helping you graduate confident, compassionate, and ready to register as a professional nurse in two fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building strong foundations
Your first year focuses on understanding the human body, compassionate care, and what it means to be a professional nurse. Modules such as Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Integrated Pharmacology and Introduction to Person Centred Care help you understand how physical and mental health interact across childhood and adolescence. Through Practice Learning 1, you’ll step into real healthcare environments early on, developing communication skills and learning how to care for patients safely and respectfully.

Year 2 – Growing confidence in practice
In your second year, you’ll start thinking and working more independently. Modules like Interprofessional Research & Innovation introduce you to evidence-based practice and collaborative working across healthcare teams. With Practice Learning 2a and 2b (Children’s Nursing), you’ll gain extended placement experience, caring for children and families while building clinical judgement, resilience, and teamwork skills.

Year 3 – Preparing for leadership and responsibility
Year three focuses on leadership, clinical reasoning, and readiness for professional practice. In Prescribing Ready, you’ll strengthen your understanding of medicines and safe decision-making, while the Extended Project allows you to explore real healthcare challenges through research. Practice Learning 3 (Children’s Nurse) pushes your confidence further, preparing you to manage complex care and act as a reliable member of the clinical team.

Year 4 – Specialising in mental health nursing
Your final year brings everything together as you specialise in mental health nursing at master’s level. Modules such as Applied Sciences in Mental Health Field and Field Nursing Mental Health help you apply advanced clinical knowledge to real-world mental health settings. By the end of the programme, you’ll be fully prepared to register as a dual-field nurse and begin your career with a strong professional identity.

Focus areas

Children’s nursing, mental health nursing, clinical practice, anatomy and pharmacology, person-centred care, leadership and teamwork

Learning outcomes

Dual-field NMC registration readiness, confident clinical decision-making, safe and ethical practice, strong communication skills, and leadership potential in healthcare settings

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing graduates to register in both Children’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing

Reputation (employability)

This integrated master’s programme is highly valued by healthcare employers for its dual qualification and extensive clinical placements, giving graduates a strong advantage when entering the NHS and wider healthcare sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Chester, nursing isn’t just something you study — it’s something you do. From the very first year, you’ll balance classroom learning with hands-on experience, giving you plenty of opportunities to put theory into practice. On campus, clinical skills labs and simulation suites let you rehearse assessments, procedures, and patient communication in safe, realistic scenarios before heading out into real clinical settings. Virtual reality tools further enhance your learning, immersing you in lifelike situations so you can build confidence and clinical judgement.

Your practical learning includes:

Clinical Placements: Structured placements in NHS hospitals, community services, and partner healthcare providers give you real-world experience caring for children, young people, and people experiencing mental health challenges.
Simulation & Skills Labs: Practice clinical techniques, patient interaction, and team-based care in fully equipped labs before applying them on placement.
Virtual Reality Learning: VR scenarios let you safely experience complex clinical situations, helping you develop decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Group Projects & Collaboration: Seminars and group work build teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities essential for modern nursing.
Library & Digital Resources: The Wheeler Campus library and online platforms provide books, journals, and digital resources to support evidence-based learning and clinical research.
Mentoring & Feedback: Tutors and placement mentors guide you throughout your journey, helping you reflect, improve, and grow as a confident, professional nurse.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Chester’s Children’s and Mental Health Nursing MNurs (Hons) opens doors to a rewarding and in-demand career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. With your dual-field qualification, you could pursue roles such as Nursing Professionals, Mental Health Nurses, Community Health Nurses, Clinical Team Leaders, Children’s Care Coordinators, or Health Educators, giving you the flexibility to work across both physical and mental health settings.

Career Support Services: The University’s Careers and Employability team provides personalised guidance throughout your studies, from CV and application advice to mock interviews and networking events, helping you confidently plan and launch your nursing career.
Employment Outcomes & Earnings: Graduates enjoy strong employability, with many securing professional roles soon after graduation. Early-career salaries typically start around £28,000 – £30,000, increasing as you gain experience.
University–Industry Partnerships: Clinical placements and practice learning are supported through strong connections with NHS trusts and healthcare providers, giving you real-world experience and valuable professional networks.
Long-Term Accreditation: The programme leads to NMC registration in both Children’s and Mental Health Nursing, a recognised credential that allows you to practise in the UK and internationally.
Graduation Success: Extensive hands-on placements integrated throughout the degree mean you graduate ready to step straight into professional nursing roles across hospitals, community care, private healthcare, and third-sector organisations.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you could continue your studies with postgraduate qualifications such as Advanced Clinical Practice, Mental Health Leadership, Nursing Education, or Healthcare Management. There are also opportunities to pursue professional development courses or postgraduate certificates in specialised areas like child health, family therapy, or evidence-based practice, helping you deepen your expertise while continuing your career.