Mental Health Nursing MSc

Reasons to choose Kingston

• Kingston University is Top University in London and Top 2 in the UK for Mental Health Nursing (The Guardian University Guide 2026), and also top in London for Nursing and Midwifery (The Complete University Guide 2026).

• We won two awards at the 2023 Student Nursing Times Awards, including Teaching Innovation of the Year for our simulated public health elective. This was part of our annual student nursing electives programme, which was also nominated for the Best Student Experience award, where students are supported to organise their own national or international placement of their choosing.

• You will develop and refine your communication and clinical skills through the use of high-fidelity simulated learning activities, role play with actor patients, and scenario-based learning.

• Kingston’s partnership with the South West London Recovery College offers you the opportunity to learn from, and with, mental health practitioners and people with lived experience.

About this postgraduate pre-registration course

Mental health nursing is a highly rewarding career where you can make a real difference. This course leads to registration as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in two years. If you’re looking to make a positive difference to people’s lives, and already have an undergraduate degree and experience in health and social care, this Masters course is for you.

You will explore the role of the mental health nurse and the diverse needs and contexts of mental health service users. You will analyse and apply research and evidence to understand the complexities of mental health provision. You will learn a range of psychological approaches used in clinical practice and prepare for transition to registered nurse.

Your studies include core elements for all fields of nursing and modules specific to mental health. You’ll learn first-hand from mental health service users and carers, through our partnerships with service user and carer-led organisations.

You will gain experience in an area of London or Surrey, with diverse placement opportunities, including specialist and national services. Our placement providers include South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust, South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS Foundation Trust, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and independent hospitals, including the Priory Group.