Mental Health Nursing

Top 11 for Mental Health Nursing - The University of Northampton is a top 11 institution for Mental Health Nursing in the Best UK University Guardian League table for 2026.

Joint 1st for Career Outcomes 15 Months After Graduation in Mental Health Nursing - data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide, Mental Health Nursing Subject table, filtered by Career after 15 Months.

Our programme takes you on a service user's journey within the community and hospital settings. Through a flexible and blended approach to learning, our programme reinforces your positive attitude; provides you with evidence-based knowledge and equips you with effective practice skills. So, if you want to become a brilliant mental health nurse then we can inspire you and transform your life and the lives of others.

After successful completion of this programme, you’ll be awarded an Honours degree and can register as a Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You will also gain Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) within this programme and RSPH Level 4 Award in Suicide First Aid®. (SFI) accredited by Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) is delivered within this programme.

The NHS Learning Support Fund

Students, studying nursing, midwifery and many of the allied health professions courses from September 2020, may be eligible for a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. They may be able to apply for Financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) which offers eligible students additional support while studying for their degree. This is in addition to the Student Loan from the Student Loans Company*.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026**.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

The Northampton Employment Promise

• In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information.
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information.
✱✱✱ As this funding is provided by the Department for Health & Social Care (UK Government) please check the NHS LSF website for full details, any changes and updates.

STAGE 1:
• Discovering My Identity as a Nurse (compulsory)
• Professionalism and Public Protection in Nursing (compulsory)
• Exploring the Evidence Base for Nursing (compulsory)
• Guided Participation in Nursing Care (compulsory).

STAGE 2:
• Constructing and Developing My Nursing Identity (compulsory)
• Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in Nursing (compulsory)
• Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Mental Health Nursing (compulsory)
• Active Participation in Nursing Care (compulsory).

STAGE 3:
• Transforming and Innovating Mental Health Nursing (compulsory)
• Developing My Nurse Identity Towards Becoming a Registrant (compulsory)
• Becoming a Professional, Responsible, and Accountable Registered Nurse (compulsory)
• Demonstrating Competence and Confidence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimization of Medicines and the Health Numeracy Assessment (compulsory)
• Leading and Coordinating Mental Health Nursing Care (compulsory).

• Students must take all modules. Students who do not complete the Honours Degree will be eligible for an Ordinary Degree upon successful completion of a minimum of 60 Level 6 credits. These can be from any Level 6 modules, whether identified as compulsory or designated. The name of the Ordinary Degree will differ from that of the Honours Degree due to professional body requirements. Details can be found in the relevant Supplementary Regulations.

**Module information is quoted for 2025/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

You will be continuously assessed throughout this course to test your knowledge. Placements will also be assessed to ensure that you can effectively apply theory into practice within a healthcare environment.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council