A student mental health nurse practising counselling a patient
BSc (Hons)

Nursing (Mental Health)

Empower and support patients in their journey to recovery with our NMC-validated Mental Health Nursing degree course.

Mental health nursing is a challenging but rewarding field.

As a qualified nurse, you’ll identify people’s needs, plan and provide care, and encourage them to believe that recovery is possible.

Our accredited course mixes classroom learning with hands-on placements. As well as developing your practical skills, you’ll learn about causes and interventions; the experiences of people from different demographics and backgrounds; and biological, psychological and social factors that can impact on mental health.

When you graduate, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to start your nursing career.

Why ARU?

  • Gain clinical experience with placements in diverse mental health settings.

  • Learn from professionals with backgrounds in mental health nursing.

  • Train in cutting-edge simulation suites and clinical skills labs.

  • Study an NMC-approved course that ensures professional standards.

  • Get a minimum of £5,000 per year non-repayable training grant.

  • Benefit from comprehensive support services including careers, wellbeing, and academic guidance.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Into ARU
  • Foundations of Communication and Professionalismfor Nursing
  • Fundamental Skills and Procedures for Nursing
  • Applied Health Science for Nursing Across the Lifespan
  • Epidemiology, Inequality, and Health Promotion for Nursing Across the Lifespan
  • Contemporary Nursing Practice 1
Year 2
  • Supporting a Patient Safety Culture in Nursing
  • Supporting Learning and Professional Development in Nursing
  • Contemporary Nursing Practice 2
  • Assessing and Planning Care Across the Lifespan
  • Coordinating and Leading Integrated Care in Interprofessional Settings
Year 3
  • Assessment in Mental Health Nursing
  • Developing Approaches to Planning Care in Mental Health Nursing
  • Contemporary Mental Health Nursing Practice 3
  • Reviewing and Evaluating Mental Health Nursing Care
  • Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
Module details

You have the option to start this course in March, in Chelmsford. You'll study the same modules as BSc (Hons) students who start in September.

At ARU, you’ll learn in small, supportive group sessions led by our highly experienced staff. They’ll also offer support while you’re on placement, along with your practice supervisors and assessors.

Facilities

  • Video still of a student nurse and lecturer talking in skills lab

    To help you prepare for your nursing interview at ARU, we've created a video with useful tips. Hear more from our lecturers and students.

  • A student nurse adjusting a drip in the skills lab

    From Year 1 you'll be out on placement, getting hands-on experience in hospitals and community healthcare teams.

  • Hands of a student nurse practising injecting a dummy in the skills lab

    As a nursing student at ARU, you'll use purpose-built skills labs and sophisticated healthcare equipment.

  • A student nurse in the skills lab, talking to another student nurse who has their back to the camera

    Nursing is far more than a career. As a nurse you'll make a difference to many people’s lives - including your own.

    • ;
  • Video still of a student nurse and lecturer talking in skills lab
  • A student nurse adjusting a drip in the skills lab
  • Hands of a student nurse practising injecting a dummy in the skills lab
  • A student nurse in the skills lab, talking to another student nurse who has their back to the camera
  • Video still of a student nurse and lecturer talking in skills lab
  • A student nurse adjusting a drip in the skills lab
  • Hands of a student nurse practising injecting a dummy in the skills lab
  • A student nurse in the skills lab, talking to another student nurse who has their back to the camera

As a nursing student at ARU, you'll benefit from purpose-built nursing skills labs offering the very best in experiential learning. You’ll use sophisticated equipment to simulate many aspects of a working hospital ward.

You’ll also learn from registered, practising tutors and lecturers who’ll make sure you’re being taught the latest techniques and give you the support you need to succeed.

Accreditation

Nursing & Midwifery Council

Our Nursing degree courses are validated by the NMC and you’ll be linked to one of our eight NHS healthcare trust partners for your placements.

Nursing and Midwifery Council logo

Careers

At ARU, we work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it so you’ll be ready to stand out in a competitive job market.

Once you graduate, you’ll be able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and begin your journey as a mental health nurse. You might choose a role in acute in-patient care, home treatment or a community mental health team – it’s up to you where your degree takes you.

Nursing students in a skills lab

"I have been lucky enough to visit a wide variety of placements during my two years so far at ARU, including surgical, medical, intensive care and community."

Emily

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Find out about nursing careers

Entry requirements

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Entry requirements are not currently available, please try again later.

Fees and paying for university

Apply now for Nursing (Mental Health)

UK students

We also welcome applications from students from Ireland, and EU, EEA and Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK.

Apply through UCAS
Want to talk to someone?
Contact our Admissions team Talk to a student

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Female nursing student wearing a hijab

Taster Days

If you want to know more about nursing at ARU, book your place at one of our Taster Days. Meet our lecturers and current students, explore the role of the nurse, find out more about our nursing courses and placements, and pick up tips for your application and interview.

Find out more about our Taster Days