About this course

Support patients' mental health and wellbeing as a registered mental health nurse. Our nursing programmes are ranked:

This Mental Health Nursing degree includes training in WRAP (Wellbeing, Recovery and Psychosocial).

What makes this course unique

You’ll learn to deliver care that is psychologically aware, relational, and built around safety, trust, and empowerment. Trauma-informed principles underpin everything from clinical skills to communication styles. Our curriculum:

specialises in mental health nursing to build your confidence and professional identity
has a strong focus on autism and neurodiversity
embeds family-focused care
enables you to tailor your learning with optional modules such as child and adolescent mental health or tackling inequalities of access to care

Your clinical experience will be rich and varied, with placements in both community and inpatient settings. Opportunities include:

child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
mother and baby units
early intervention in psychosis
crisis and home treatment teams
forensic and secure mental health services
adult community and inpatient care

Careers and NMC registration

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.

Our graduates are highly sought after by NHS trusts, third-sector organisations, research teams and specialist providers.

Take Mental Health Nursing as an MSc instead

If you already hold a degree qualification, consider applying for the MSc in Mental Health Nursing. This offers graduates a fast-track, 2-year route to registration as a Nurse.

Funding to support your learning

All eligible students studying mental health nursing can access the £6000 NHS Learning Support Fund, which provides:

£5,000 per year as a non-repayable grant
£1,000 additional support for students on mental health nursing pathways
Extra support for parental, travel or hardship needs

This funding is in addition to any student loans and does not need to be repaid.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Charlie's story

Charlie shares a time he made a difference as a BSc Nursing (Mental Health) student at the University of Southampton.

“Mental health nursing at Southampton has challenged me, inspired me, and confirmed my compassion for making a difference to people’s lives. ”
Clara Betts, 2025 third year student

“It has been life changing to see the impact that mental health nurses have on people's lives and being able to be a part of that is a huge privilege. ”
Maisey Charleston , 2025 third year student

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

A-levels

BBC

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Preferably including a science or social science subject

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 28 points overall with 14 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Preferably a Science or Social Science subject

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

RQF BTEC

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma DM in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-Level subject D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BC in two A-level subjects.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health Studies or Science

QCF BTEC

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma DM in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-Level subject D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BC in two A-level subjects.

BTEC contextual

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C), Mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) and Science (minimum grade 4/C) if not offered at a level 3 qualification.

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 5 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You'll study this degree full-time over 3 years. The course comprises a minimum of 4,600 hours as specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2018.

You will study theory-based modules and modules that involve clinical placements.

Year 1 overview

This year provides a foundation, and students from all fields of nursing study all the content.

You will study:

an introduction to the nature of the NHS and professional practice – this module is studied jointly with students on other allied health professional programmes
the principles of person-centred nursing and the nurse's role in meeting people's fundamental care needs across all ages
the sciences that underpin nursing care – life sciences, health psychology, pharmacology, genomics

You will undertake 2 practice placements.

Year 2 overview

You will develop your skills in meeting the needs of people experiencing challenges to their mental health.

You will study:

research methods – this module is studied jointly with students on other allied health professional programmes
engagement and assessment for mental health recovery
the care needs of people experiencing acute changes to their mental health
the nurse's role in coordinating care and supporting people living with long-term mental health conditions

You will undertake 2 practice placements.

Year 3 overview

In your final year, you will study leadership, and managing innovation and change – this module is studied jointly with students on other allied health professional programmes.

You will also:

undertake an independent research project
consolidate your learning as a mental health field nurse
undertake 2 practice placements

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2026 to 2027

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Fundamentals of health and care across the life course

This module will allow students to examine the broader context of health, across the life course, from pre-conception to death. During this module, students will have the opportunity to examine and assess health and health status across the life course, a...

Integrating Physical Health and Pharmacology in Mental Health Nursing

This module provides a vital foundation in the biosciences for mental health nursing, highlighting the deep connection between physical and mental well-being. Students will explore the intricate workings of key physiological systems and gain insight into ...

Introduction to Professional Practice

This introductory module will introduce you to the core concepts of professionalism, your personal and professional contribution to health care and how to use evidence to ensure your interventions are evidenced based. You will work with students from you...

Part 1 Placement 1

This practice placement module is the first clinical placement the students will undertake in their programme. Across the nursing programme students will experience placements in a variety of settings including acute care, community care and specialised ...

Part 1 Placement 2

This practice placement module is the first clinical placement the students will undertake in their programme. Across the nursing programme students will experience placements in a variety of settings including acute care, community care and specialised ...

Portfolio Part 1 for Mental Health Nursing

This is a core module for attendance across the academic year and is required for students to complete the NMC part. It will include simulated practice opportunities across the academic year and NMC part, to allow students to consolidate their learning fr...

Working in Partnership in Mental Health Nursing

This module is an invitation to embark into the rewarding journey of mental health nursing, where compassion, knowledge, and skill come together to make a real difference in people’s lives. Students will explore the foundations of mental health and well-b...

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare

Tomorrow's healthcare professionals will work in a context characterised by continual change, challenging environments, rapidly evolving technologies and the need for innovation. To operate successfully in this context, these professionals must be able to...

Part 3 Placement 1

This practice placement module is the first clinical placement of Part 3 of the students Nursing programme. Across the nursing programme students will experience placements in a variety of settings including acute care, community care and specialised a...

Part 3 Placement 2

This module is the final placement module that you will undertake. During your time in placement you will be supported to apply the knowledge and understanding that you have developed throughout your programme as you transition into your role as a Registe...

Student Led Project

This module builds on the skills you gained during the year two ‘Research Methods’ module. You will further develop your skills in collecting and analysing data from a range of sources including first hand if you wish, through planning and conducting an i...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

10%

Scheduled learning & teaching

40%

Independent learning

50%

Placement

How we'll assess you

essays
written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

25%

Written exam

25%

Coursework

50%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Simon Hall is the course leader.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

Research
Critical thinking
Commercial awareness
Self-management
Confidence
Leadership
Communication
Teamwork
Networking
EDI leadership
Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

Health and social work,

Administration and support,

Information and Communication,

Public Administration,

Defence,

Education.

Careers directly related to this course:

Mental health nurse
Community mental health nurse
Mental health practitioner
Charge nurse
Clinical team lead
Community psychiatric nurse
High intensity therapist
Learning disability nurse
Paramedic
Physician associate

Wider career opportunities:

Counsellor
Further education teacher
Genetic counsellor
Health service manager
University lecturer
Medicinal chemist
Police officer
Social worker
Medical sales executive

Example job titles of Southampton BSc Nursing (Mental Health) graduates*:

Mental health nurse
Staff nurse
Mental health practitioner
Community care coordinator
Community mental health nurse
Nurse team leader
Psychological wellbeing practitioner
Community psychiatric nurse
Dementia liaison nurse

Job prospects for BSc Nursing (Mental Health) graduates

£28k

Average professional salary

95%

In a skilled profession or further study

99%

Graduate employment rate

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,535.
EU and international students pay £24,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

There will be extra costs for the following:

suitable shoes for your practice placements
your own fob watch
your enhanced DBS certificate
your professional registration fee (on graduation)

You may be able to claim some travel and accommodation expenses when you're working on placement. Learn more about placement costs and expenses.

Other costs not covered by the tuition fee include:

stationery
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: B760
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We will also consider how your personal values are aligned with the nursing profession.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if you're invited to the selection event. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Nursing (Mental Health) (BSc) is a course in the Nursing, midwifery and healthcare subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

BSc

Audiology

MSci

Audiology

c

BSc

Cardiac Physiology (Healthcare Science)

m

BSc

Midwifery

n

MNurs

Nursing (Mental Health and Adult)

o

BSc

Occupational Therapy

p

BSc

Nursing (Mental Health) (BSc)

About this course

What makes this course unique

Careers and NMC registration

Take Mental Health Nursing as an MSc instead

Funding to support your learning

Charlie's story

Learn more about this subject area

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare

Course location

Awarding body

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202627

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

BTEC contextual

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Access Offer Contextual

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish certificate additional information

Irish Offer Contextual

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U Offer Contextual

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Mature applicants

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2026 to 2027

Year 1 modules

Fundamentals of health and care across the life course

Integrating Physical Health and Pharmacology in Mental Health Nursing

Introduction to Professional Practice

Part 1 Placement 1

Part 1 Placement 2

Portfolio Part 1 for Mental Health Nursing

Working in Partnership in Mental Health Nursing

Year 2 modules

Epidemiology, global and public health

Inclusion Health and Care in Clinical Practice

Part 2 Placement 1

Part 2 Placement 2

Research Methods for Nursing

Year 3 modules

Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare

Part 3 Placement 1

Part 3 Placement 2

Student Led Project

Learning and assessment

Course time

Year 1

Study time

How we'll assess you

Your assessment breakdown

Year 2

Study time