BSc Hons Mental Health Nursing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Derby

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and supporting those with mental health challenges, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) at the University of Derby is a perfect fit. You’ll combine hands-on clinical placements with academic learning, preparing you to care for adults facing conditions like anxiety, depression, dementia, and more — all while building the skills, confidence, and empathy needed to excel as a registered mental health nurse.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: Your first year introduces you to the essentials of mental health nursing through modules like Being an Accountable Professional in the Four Fields of Nursing (Shared), Assessing Needs and Planning Care, and Future Nurse. You’ll start practising the basics of assessment, care planning, and patient interaction, while understanding the core principles of mental health nursing.

Year 2: In your second year, you’ll build on these foundations with modules such as Developing Professional Knowledge and Values in Mental Health Nursing and Practice Assessment (Mental Health). This year focuses on applying your skills to more complex patient situations, working in multidisciplinary teams, and reflecting critically on your care practices.

Year 3: Your final year prepares you for professional life with advanced modules focusing on leadership, innovation, and autonomous practice. You’ll consolidate your skills and knowledge, ready to register as a mental health nurse and confidently step into a career where you can make a real impact.

Focus areas:
Mental health nursing, care planning, psychosocial interventions, multidisciplinary teamwork, evidence-based practice, leadership development.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate ready to provide compassionate, high-quality mental health care, work effectively in teams, apply research and theory to practice, and take on leadership responsibilities as a registered mental health nurse.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is fully accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning you’ll be eligible to register as a mental health nurse once you graduate.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Derby’s mental health nursing course is ranked among the Top 20 for Mental Health Nursing in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and students consistently report high satisfaction with teaching and learning.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Derby, learning mental health nursing isn’t just about lectures — it’s about getting hands-on from the start. You’ll practise in realistic clinical settings, from mock hospital wards and counselling rooms to immersive virtual reality simulations, so you can build confidence and skills safely before stepping into real-world placements. Along the way, you’ll use digital tools, work in teams with students from other health disciplines, and apply what you learn directly to patient care. Experiences include:

Extensive clinical placements — over 2,300 hours in hospitals, community settings, and mental health services, giving you first-hand experience of patient care.
State-of-the-art clinical skills suites — replica wards, treatment rooms, and counselling environments that let you practise real procedures.
Immersive simulation suite — using virtual reality, 3D graphics, and audio to recreate realistic mental health scenarios.
Digital learning tools — access to Clinical Skills Net, online anatomy and physiology tutorials, and other VLE resources for flexible learning and revision.
Multi-professional collaboration — work alongside students from other nursing fields, developing teamwork and communication skills essential for mental health care.
Guided placements — supported by experienced Practice Supervisors and Assessors, helping you apply theory to practice in a variety of real-world settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) at Derby opens the door to a meaningful career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. You could work as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, a Community Mental Health Nurse, a Prison Mental Health Nurse, or join specialist teams in forensic or adolescent care settings. With the combination of hands-on placements and academic learning, you’ll be ready to step into your first role with confidence and real-world experience. Opportunities include:

Careers & Employability support — one-to-one guidance, CV and interview preparation, plus career fairs with NHS trusts and other employers to help you secure your first role.
Strong employment outcomes — around 94% of graduates are in employment or further study shortly after finishing the programme.
Graduate salaries — typical starting salaries are around £25,500 within 15 months of graduation.
Professional accreditation — the course is fully accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register as a mental health nurse.
University–industry links — through placements with NHS trusts and other health providers, you gain hands-on experience and employer contacts even before finishing your degree.
Graduate outcomes — many students secure jobs before graduating due to the high demand for qualified mental health nurses and the course’s strong reputation.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree, you can continue your studies through postgraduate courses such as an MSc in Mental Health Nursing or other advanced nursing specialisms. Derby also offers pathways to doctoral-level research or leadership programmes, helping you take your career even further.