Mental Health Nursing

Challenge stigma, support recovery, and transform lives. Build a career that matters as you develop the expertise to become a compassionate mental health nurse.

Be the difference
Mental health nurses stand alongside people at some of the most vulnerable, complex, and challenging moments of their lives. On this BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing degree, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical expertise, and confidence to become a registered mental health nurse who leads with compassion and clinical excellence.

You’ll explore the biological, psychological, and social factors that shape mental health and wellbeing, developing a deep understanding of how these perspectives connect in practice. From supporting individuals in crisis to promoting long-term recovery, you’ll learn how to assess needs, build powerful therapeutic relationships, and deliver person-centred, evidence-based care.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Build expertise in mental health theory, research-informed practice, and person-centred care

• Develop hands-on skills in our specialist simulation facilities

• Complete diverse professional placements across NHS and voluntary sector settings, applying your learning in real multidisciplinary teams

• Work alongside professionals such as adult nurses, social workers, and dietitians, understanding how collaborative care improves outcomes

• Learn directly from lived experience, engaging with service users to deepen your empathy, cultural awareness, and professional resilience

Occupational Health clearance and compliance with standard NHS immunisations requirements are mandatory for placement attendance. Click ‘find out more’ in the fees and funding section further down this page for details of any extra costs relating to our nursing courses.

Hands-on opportunities
Studying one of our nursing courses at Leeds Beckett opens the door to diverse and rewarding placements across Leeds and West Yorkshire. You could gain experience in drug and alcohol services, mother and baby programmes, eating disorder clinics, community mental health teams, and forensic settings.

You’ll work shifts, travel to different services, and experience the pace and variety of modern mental health nursing. These authentic placements provide invaluable insight into the variety of careers available and help you discover your passion.

Practice in realistic facilities
On campus, you’ll learn in our specialist clinical skills suite, featuring a simulated hospital ward, community setting, and immersive simulation facilities. Here, you’ll practise complex scenarios safely before stepping into clinical environments.

Professional recognition
The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Men Into Nursing Together (MINT), ensuring your learning meets the highest professional standards. On successful completion, you can apply for registration with the NMC as a qualified mental health nurse – a respected and regulated qualification across the UK.

Why study the BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing degree at Leeds Beckett University?

• Outstanding employability - 100% of graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation*

• Access to specialist facilities - including our Clinical Skills Suite which houses a hospital ward, simulation suite, and community area

• Professionally recognised – approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), the nursing and midwifery regulator for the UK

• Real-world placements – develop hand-on skills in collaborative healthcare environments

• Student satisfaction - 93% of students were positive about the way teaching staff explain things**

*Percentage of respondents from this course, HESA Graduate Outcomes 22-23

• *National Student Survey 2025

<strong> Year 1 Core Modules: </strong>

• Becoming a Nursing Student
• Fundamentals of Nursing Science & Practice
• Exploring Health & Wellbeing
• Mental Health Practice Assessments 1 (non-credit bearing)

<strong> Year 2 Core Modules: </strong>

• Developing Professional Skills
• Application of Nursing Science & Practice
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing
• Mental Health Practice Assessments 2 (non-credit bearing)

<strong> Year 3 Core Modules: </strong>

• Transition to Registered Nurse
• Advancing Nursing Science & Practice
• Population Health & Wellbeing
• Mental Health Practice Assessments 3 (non-credit bearing)