COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the Nursing (Mental Health) BSc (Hons), students build the essential academic, clinical, and professional foundations required for a career in mental health nursing. The program begins by developing key academic skills such as critical thinking, reflective practice, academic writing, and evidence-informed learning to support professional growth and self-awareness. Students also gain a strong understanding of bioscience, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics, and the effects of medications on the body, helping them make informed clinical decisions and communicate effectively in patient care settings. Alongside scientific knowledge, the course explores core concepts of mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan, focusing on engagement, assessment, care planning, recovery approaches, public health, and the impact of social and family support systems. Students are introduced to nursing values, ethics, teamwork, person-centred care, and professional identity through the Foundations of Nursing Practice module, which prepares them to work compassionately with individuals and families in diverse healthcare environments. Practical experience is a major component of the year, with students participating in simulation-based learning and real clinical placements where they develop hands-on nursing skills, professional behaviours, and confidence in delivering safe and effective mental health care to patients in different settings.