Psychology (Mental Health) BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Nottingham Trent University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Psychology (Mental Health) at Nottingham Trent University focuses on understanding mental health, wellbeing, and psychological disorders through scientific research and real-world application. This course is ideal for students who want to explore clinical and mental health careers while developing strong analytical, research, and professional skills in psychology.

Curriculum structure

Year One
In your first year, you’ll build a solid grounding in core psychology and mental health concepts. Modules such as Understanding the Self: Psychology 101, Psychology in Action (Mental Health), and Exploring Psychological Impact and Change introduce key psychological perspectives and how they apply to wellbeing and behaviour. You’ll also develop research skills through Research Design and Practice (1) and Analysing Data: Methods and Tools (1), helping you understand how psychological evidence is collected and interpreted.

Year Two
Your second year deepens your understanding of psychological theory and its link to mental health. You’ll study modules including Brain, Behaviour and Cognition: Understanding the Mind, Social Evolution and Individual Development, and Analysing Data: Methods and Tools (2), strengthening your knowledge of cognition, development, and behavioural science. This stage focuses on applying psychological thinking to complex mental health issues while developing stronger analytical and research abilities.

Final Year
In your final year, you’ll specialise in mental health topics and apply your learning to professional contexts. You’ll complete the Research Project in Mental Health Psychology alongside modules such as Psychological Applications to Work Settings, with options including Psychopathology, Trauma in Children and Adolescents, Addictive Behaviours, and Psychology and Trauma: From Normality to Pathology. These modules allow you to explore mental health conditions, treatment approaches, and real-world applications in greater depth.

Focus areas (in a string): mental health psychology, psychopathology and trauma, cognitive and biological psychology, social and developmental psychology, research methods and statistics, psychological interventions, wellbeing and resilience, applied mental health practice, independent research

Learning outcomes (in a string): understand psychological causes of mental health conditions, analyse behaviour using scientific methods, evaluate treatments and interventions, conduct independent research, apply psychology to mental health settings, develop critical thinking and data analysis skills, communicate psychological findings professionally, understand ethical practice in mental health environments

Professional alignment (accreditation): British Psychological Society accredited degree providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and progression toward professional psychology training

Reputation (employability rankings): Nottingham Trent University psychology courses are highly ranked for student demand and offer strong employability support, with work experience opportunities and career-focused learning embedded throughout the degree

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the BSc (Hons) Psychology (Mental Health) at Nottingham Trent University gain practical experience through hands-on research, applied mental health projects, and access to specialist psychology facilities. You’ll work with advanced behavioural research tools, develop data analysis skills using professional software, and collaborate on real-world projects that mirror professional psychology roles. The course also integrates independent research, consultancy-style assignments, and placement opportunities to help you build experience in mental health-focused environments:

Dedicated psychology laboratories for behavioural experiments and mental health research
Specialist facilities including eye-tracking labs, EEG labs, motion capture lab, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) lab
Behavioural research spaces such as observation labs, interview rooms, and focus group facilities
Driving simulator and transport lab for studying behaviour and cognitive responses
Computational modelling and data analysis labs for advanced psychological research
Use of R statistical software for analysing psychological and mental health data
Group-based consultancy projects working as student psychologists for external organisations
Independent Research Project in Mental Health Psychology supervised by research-active academics
Applied project work within Psychological Applications to Work Settings module
Optional placement year to gain industry and mental health sector experience
Work-like learning embedded across the degree through real-world assignments
Study abroad and international summer school opportunities
Virtual learning environment providing digital collaboration, materials, and assessment tools
Access to psychology study spaces, teaching labs, and dedicated research areas.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Psychology (Mental Health) at Nottingham Trent University develop strong knowledge of mental health, research methods, and applied psychology, preparing them for careers across healthcare, education, and support services. Many move into roles such as assistant psychologist, mental health support worker, wellbeing practitioner, or research assistant, while others continue toward professional psychology training. The degree also builds transferable skills in communication, data analysis, and critical thinking that employers value across a wide range of sectors:

Dedicated careers and employability support from NTU Employability, including one-to-one guidance, CV workshops, and interview preparation
Optional year-long sandwich placements to gain professional experience in mental health and psychology-related settings
Short-term placement opportunities through NTU SHIELD, where students help deliver guided self-help support under supervision
Professional Practice in Psychology consultancy projects working with external organisations on real-world challenges
Employer engagement through guest speakers, networking opportunities, and applied project work
British Psychological Society accreditation providing Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and progression toward professional psychology careers
Transferable skills development in research, data analysis, communication, and teamwork
Opportunities to study abroad or join international summer schools to broaden experience
Strong student satisfaction for teaching and academic support reported in the National Student Survey
High student demand for psychology courses at Nottingham Trent University based on UCAS data
Work-like learning embedded across the degree including research projects and applied coursework

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue to postgraduate study in areas such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, forensic psychology, occupational psychology, mental health and wellbeing, or psychological research methods. The British Psychological Society accreditation also allows progression to specialist professional training, Master’s degrees, or doctoral study, supporting long-term careers in psychology, mental health, and research.