COURSE CURRICULUM

The Nursing Science Registered Nurse (Mental Health) MSc at Northumbria University is structured over two years to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and professional registration required to practice as a mental health nurse. In the first year, students focus on foundational topics, including applied life sciences relevant to mental health nursing, promoting health and preventing illness, and assessing and planning for complex ongoing patient needs. They also undertake Nursing Practice Module 1, which develops their ability to become a safe, caring professional across adult, child, learning disability, and mental health settings, supported by academic language skills for postgraduate students. This integrated approach combines theoretical learning with practical insights to build confidence and competence in patient care. In the second year, students advance to leadership, quality, and teamwork within mental health nursing through Nursing Practice Module 2, alongside exploring innovative principles of nursing practice that enhance clinical effectiveness. The curriculum culminates in the Developing Nursing Practice through Research module, enabling students to critically engage with evidence-based practice, research methods, and the evaluation of interventions. Overall, the program equips graduates to deliver high-quality mental health care, make informed decisions in complex care environments, and pursue professional development and leadership roles, while fostering compassion, analytical thinking, and evidence-based practice.