| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Full-time | 3 years | - | - | - |
Could you make a meaningful impact in the field of mental health nursing? Would you like to unlock the door to a fulfilling career that offers multiple possibilities? Modern society understands that our mental health is as important as our physical health; throughout our Nursing (Mental Health) BSc you will acquire the knowledge, skills and empathy to develop into a competent mental health nurse. You will study essential nursing theory and gain practical experience in our excellent clinical simulation facilities and out on placement, so you can confidently work in partnership with service users, their families and the wider community.
Course overview Mental health nurses support and care for individuals experiencing mental ill health and play a crucial role in positively impacting and influencing outcomes. Person- centred care is at the heart of our programme, which acknowledges that all people are individuals with physical, emotional, social, and cultural needs. Severe and enduring mental illness can adversely affect someone's physical health, so health promotion and education will be key aspects of your role as a mental health nurse. Our mental health nursing programme aims to produce nurses who are self-aware, reflective and are a positive role model for the people in their care, displaying resilience and compassion.
You will apply your skills, identifying opportunities to educate and support people at every stage of their lives. Underpinning this will be early intervention in children and young people's mental health, recognising the impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health across the lifespan. It is also recognised that by 2025, over a million people in the UK will be diagnosed with dementia (Alzheimer's' Society 2019) and mental health nurses will be pivotal in prevention, early identification, assessment, and intervention for cognitive impairment. As a future nurse you will require strong communication skills, facilitating positive therapeutic engagement with service users, their families, and other professionals as you manage complex care with service users in your care.
You will develop high level interpersonal and clinical skills that will enable you to work within an evidence-based framework delivering complex therapeutic interventions such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy. You will gain the theoretical knowledge required to be able to practice confidently and competently, whilst also giving you the opportunity to develop and refine your clinical skills in a safe and controlled setting before going onto clinical placement. Multidisciplinary learning We believe a multidisciplinary approach to teaching is the key to developing an effective global health care workforce. You will benefit from inter-professional education by learning alongside other nursing students from different fields and aspiring healthcare professionals such as medical, physiotherapy and pharmacy students.
This exposure allows you to appreciate the role that each healthcare professional plays in a person's journey - a critical factor for success within the clinical setting. Our Facilities You will gain evidence-based practice experience that supports the ethos of dignity, care, and compassion for patients. Your learning will be enhanced by our excellent facilities including an anatomy suite and health and campus libraries. Innovative teaching methods including High Fidelity Simulation and skill-based development in our Clinical Skills Lab.
Strengthening your employability Placements We have strong partnerships with placement providers including NHS trusts, and the private and voluntary sectors. An important part of becoming a nurse is gaining real experience in diverse environments. Mental health field placements provide a range of experiences to expand your professional values and nursing skills linking the theory you have learnt in the lectures with practice. This enhances your employability, increases your confidence, and fully develops your nursing expertise.
50% of your time is spent on clinical practice in different health care settings. Placements take place within a 50 mile radius of Keele across NHS trusts and the independent health and social care sector. You will be supported in practice by clinical supervisors and assessed by a practice assessor and reviewed by an academic assessor. This ensures you practice safely and allows you to learn from clinicians who have a wealth of experience in their field.
You may also choose to study abroad through elective placements with organisations like Work the World. Student support A team of experienced practice assessors and placement supervisors are there to support you when you are undertaking work placements. You will have guidance from an academic mentor during your studies who is allocated to you at the start of the course. You will also benefit from the support of the Faculty Student Experience and Student Experience Support Officers (SESO) who offer advice, guidance and one to one support to students within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
There is peer support and additional help available from the School's Disability Inclusion Tutor who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have special learning needs. You can also access plenty of student advice and support services at Keele including: Learning Support and Academic Guidance Disability Support and Inclusion English Language Unit Student Advice at Keele (ASK) Student Support Services Occupational Health Department Financial support Student nurses are eligible to receive an annual grant of at least £5,000 to help cover their living costs. Additional financial grants are also available for eligible students - more information and full eligibility criteria can be found here. Related courses Single Honours Adult Nursing Children's Nursing Midwifery Eligible students can apply for a non-repayable £5,000 NHS grant per academic year Nursing and Midwifery Council approved programme 2nd in England for Nursing (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025) Top 10 in England for Nursing and Midwifery (Complete University Guide, 2026) 9th for Nursing and Midwifery (Daily Mail University Guide, 2026) For more details, please see the course page on the Keele website.
Contact Keele University to find course entry requirements.
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