24 monthsProgramme duration
30 Jun, 2025Application Deadline
SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Nursing
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
On Campus
Course summary
What does someone need when their mental health changes the way they think, feel or experience everyday life? And how can skilled, compassionate nursing help people regain control and move forward?
If you’re a graduate who wants to become a registered Mental Health Nurse, MSc Nursing: Mental Health is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll combine evidence-based learning with extensive clinical experience, developing the knowledge, confidence and professional judgement to care for people experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
You’ll learn to see the whole person, understanding the connections between physical and mental health while working in partnership with service users, families and carers. As your experience grows, you’ll develop the skills to make complex decisions, coordinate care and advocate for the people you support.
Practice is central to the programme. You’ll complete 2,300 hours of practice learning across hospital, community and specialist services, experiencing different approaches to mental health care and putting your learning to work with real patients and professionals.
Placement settings can include early intervention services, community mental health teams, ADHD assessment clinics, child and adolescent mental health services, inpatient facilities, mother and baby units, specialist support teams and forensic mental health services.
You’ll learn within a nursing community ranked 3rd in the UK and 13th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), supported by experienced registered nurses, educators and researchers.
Find your place in a profession where evidence, empathy and action come together, and develop the skills to make a difference when people need support most.
Key features of this course
**Learn through real clinical experience.** Complete extensive practice learning across hospital, community and specialist mental health settings, building your confidence with different patients and services.
**See physical and mental health together.** Develop your understanding of the relationship between mental and physical wellbeing, including the biosciences and pharmacology relevant to mental health nursing.
**Work in partnership with people.** Learn to place service users, families and carers at the centre of care, developing approaches that recognise individual circumstances, preferences and strengths.
**Prepare to lead and coordinate care.** Progress from developing person-centred nursing skills in year 1 to managing and coordinating mental health care and preparing for your leadership responsibilities as a registered nurse.
**Connect learning with current research.** Take part in conference days where Southampton professors share their research, giving you opportunities to hear new ideas, build networks and experience an academic conference environment.
**Make research part of your practice.** Complete an independent research project and dissertation across your 2 years, strengthening your ability to question evidence and contribute to improvements in healthcare.
Your future career
Mental Health Nurses work with people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives, combining clinical expertise with communication, advocacy and compassionate care.
You’ll graduate able to assess needs, make complex decisions, evaluate practice, coordinate care and work effectively as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
After successfully completing the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.
Career possibilities include Community Mental Health Nurse, Inpatient Mental Health Nurse, Crisis Intervention Nurse, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse and Forensic Mental Health Nurse.
The MSc can also provide a foundation for later progression into leadership, research and specialist mental health nursing roles.
Wherever your nursing career takes you, you’ll leave Southampton with the competence, confidence and professional values to support people experiencing mental health challenges and advocate for the care they need.
Student support
Throughout your studies, an experienced registered nurse will act as your Personal Academic Tutor, providing ongoing support and guidance.
You’ll also take part in a Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice Development Group, helping you reflect on your learning, identify gaps in your knowledge and develop your practice.
During placements, you’ll be supported in practice while developing and demonstrating the professional skills required for registration.
Further information
This is a 2-year, full-time MSc based at Highfield Campus.
The course combines university study with 2,300 hours of practice learning. Most practical experience takes place through placements, with some learning completed in simulated environments.
There are no optional modules. You must successfully complete both the theory and practice elements of the programme.
If you’re already a graduate registered nurse and meet the Recognition of Prior Learning requirements, you may be able to gain registration in mental health nursing in around 20 months.
Applicants can come from any degree subject. Previous students have backgrounds including Psychology, Biology, English, Fine Art, Ship Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Law and Archaeology.
Applicants normally need a 2:2 degree alongside the required GCSE qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning requirements also apply to this accelerated pre-registration programme.
What does someone need when their mental health changes the way they think, feel or experience everyday life? And how can skilled, compassionate nursing help people regain control and move forward?
If you’re a graduate who wants to become a registered Mental Health Nurse, MSc Nursing: Mental Health is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll combine evidence-based learning with extensive clinical experience, developing the knowledge, confidence and professional judgement to care for people experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
You’ll learn to see the whole person, understanding the connections between physical and mental health while working in partnership with service users, families and carers. As your experience grows, you’ll develop the skills to make complex decisions, coordinate care and advocate for the people you support.
Practice is central to the programme. You’ll complete 2,300 hours of practice learning across hospital, community and specialist services, experiencing different approaches to mental health care and putting your learning to work with real patients and professionals.
Placement settings can include early intervention services, community mental health teams, ADHD assessment clinics, child and adolescent mental health services, inpatient facilities, mother and baby units, specialist support teams and forensic mental health services.
You’ll learn within a nursing community ranked 3rd in the UK and 13th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), supported by experienced registered nurses, educators and researchers.
Find your place in a profession where evidence, empathy and action come together, and develop the skills to make a difference when people need support most.
Key features of this course
**Learn through real clinical experience.** Complete extensive practice learning across hospital, community and specialist mental health settings, building your confidence with different patients and services.
**See physical and mental health together.** Develop your understanding of the relationship between mental and physical wellbeing, including the biosciences and pharmacology relevant to mental health nursing.
**Work in partnership with people.** Learn to place service users, families and carers at the centre of care, developing approaches that recognise individual circumstances, preferences and strengths.
**Prepare to lead and coordinate care.** Progress from developing person-centred nursing skills in year 1 to managing and coordinating mental health care and preparing for your leadership responsibilities as a registered nurse.
**Connect learning with current research.** Take part in conference days where Southampton professors share their research, giving you opportunities to hear new ideas, build networks and experience an academic conference environment.
**Make research part of your practice.** Complete an independent research project and dissertation across your 2 years, strengthening your ability to question evidence and contribute to improvements in healthcare.
Your future career
Mental Health Nurses work with people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives, combining clinical expertise with communication, advocacy and compassionate care.
You’ll graduate able to assess needs, make complex decisions, evaluate practice, coordinate care and work effectively as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
After successfully completing the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.
Career possibilities include Community Mental Health Nurse, Inpatient Mental Health Nurse, Crisis Intervention Nurse, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse and Forensic Mental Health Nurse.
The MSc can also provide a foundation for later progression into leadership, research and specialist mental health nursing roles.
Wherever your nursing career takes you, you’ll leave Southampton with the competence, confidence and professional values to support people experiencing mental health challenges and advocate for the care they need.
Student support
Throughout your studies, an experienced registered nurse will act as your Personal Academic Tutor, providing ongoing support and guidance.
You’ll also take part in a Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice Development Group, helping you reflect on your learning, identify gaps in your knowledge and develop your practice.
During placements, you’ll be supported in practice while developing and demonstrating the professional skills required for registration.
Further information
This is a 2-year, full-time MSc based at Highfield Campus.
The course combines university study with 2,300 hours of practice learning. Most practical experience takes place through placements, with some learning completed in simulated environments.
There are no optional modules. You must successfully complete both the theory and practice elements of the programme.
If you’re already a graduate registered nurse and meet the Recognition of Prior Learning requirements, you may be able to gain registration in mental health nursing in around 20 months.
Applicants can come from any degree subject. Previous students have backgrounds including Psychology, Biology, English, Fine Art, Ship Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Law and Archaeology.
Applicants normally need a 2:2 degree alongside the required GCSE qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning requirements also apply to this accelerated pre-registration programme.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Nursing
Degree
MSc
Study Level
Master's
Study Mode
On Campus
Course summary
What does someone need when their mental health changes the way they think, feel or experience everyday life? And how can skilled, compassionate nursing help people regain control and move forward?
If you’re a graduate who wants to become a registered Mental Health Nurse, MSc Nursing: Mental Health is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll combine evidence-based learning with extensive clinical experience, developing the knowledge, confidence and professional judgement to care for people experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
You’ll learn to see the whole person, understanding the connections between physical and mental health while working in partnership with service users, families and carers. As your experience grows, you’ll develop the skills to make complex decisions, coordinate care and advocate for the people you support.
Practice is central to the programme. You’ll complete 2,300 hours of practice learning across hospital, community and specialist services, experiencing different approaches to mental health care and putting your learning to work with real patients and professionals.
Placement settings can include early intervention services, community mental health teams, ADHD assessment clinics, child and adolescent mental health services, inpatient facilities, mother and baby units, specialist support teams and forensic mental health services.
You’ll learn within a nursing community ranked 3rd in the UK and 13th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), supported by experienced registered nurses, educators and researchers.
Find your place in a profession where evidence, empathy and action come together, and develop the skills to make a difference when people need support most.
Key features of this course
**Learn through real clinical experience.** Complete extensive practice learning across hospital, community and specialist mental health settings, building your confidence with different patients and services.
**See physical and mental health together.** Develop your understanding of the relationship between mental and physical wellbeing, including the biosciences and pharmacology relevant to mental health nursing.
**Work in partnership with people.** Learn to place service users, families and carers at the centre of care, developing approaches that recognise individual circumstances, preferences and strengths.
**Prepare to lead and coordinate care.** Progress from developing person-centred nursing skills in year 1 to managing and coordinating mental health care and preparing for your leadership responsibilities as a registered nurse.
**Connect learning with current research.** Take part in conference days where Southampton professors share their research, giving you opportunities to hear new ideas, build networks and experience an academic conference environment.
**Make research part of your practice.** Complete an independent research project and dissertation across your 2 years, strengthening your ability to question evidence and contribute to improvements in healthcare.
Your future career
Mental Health Nurses work with people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives, combining clinical expertise with communication, advocacy and compassionate care.
You’ll graduate able to assess needs, make complex decisions, evaluate practice, coordinate care and work effectively as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
After successfully completing the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.
Career possibilities include Community Mental Health Nurse, Inpatient Mental Health Nurse, Crisis Intervention Nurse, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse and Forensic Mental Health Nurse.
The MSc can also provide a foundation for later progression into leadership, research and specialist mental health nursing roles.
Wherever your nursing career takes you, you’ll leave Southampton with the competence, confidence and professional values to support people experiencing mental health challenges and advocate for the care they need.
Student support
Throughout your studies, an experienced registered nurse will act as your Personal Academic Tutor, providing ongoing support and guidance.
You’ll also take part in a Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice Development Group, helping you reflect on your learning, identify gaps in your knowledge and develop your practice.
During placements, you’ll be supported in practice while developing and demonstrating the professional skills required for registration.
Further information
This is a 2-year, full-time MSc based at Highfield Campus.
The course combines university study with 2,300 hours of practice learning. Most practical experience takes place through placements, with some learning completed in simulated environments.
There are no optional modules. You must successfully complete both the theory and practice elements of the programme.
If you’re already a graduate registered nurse and meet the Recognition of Prior Learning requirements, you may be able to gain registration in mental health nursing in around 20 months.
Applicants can come from any degree subject. Previous students have backgrounds including Psychology, Biology, English, Fine Art, Ship Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Law and Archaeology.
Applicants normally need a 2:2 degree alongside the required GCSE qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning requirements also apply to this accelerated pre-registration programme.
What does someone need when their mental health changes the way they think, feel or experience everyday life? And how can skilled, compassionate nursing help people regain control and move forward?
If you’re a graduate who wants to become a registered Mental Health Nurse, MSc Nursing: Mental Health is for you.
At Southampton, you’ll combine evidence-based learning with extensive clinical experience, developing the knowledge, confidence and professional judgement to care for people experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
You’ll learn to see the whole person, understanding the connections between physical and mental health while working in partnership with service users, families and carers. As your experience grows, you’ll develop the skills to make complex decisions, coordinate care and advocate for the people you support.
Practice is central to the programme. You’ll complete 2,300 hours of practice learning across hospital, community and specialist services, experiencing different approaches to mental health care and putting your learning to work with real patients and professionals.
Placement settings can include early intervention services, community mental health teams, ADHD assessment clinics, child and adolescent mental health services, inpatient facilities, mother and baby units, specialist support teams and forensic mental health services.
You’ll learn within a nursing community ranked 3rd in the UK and 13th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), supported by experienced registered nurses, educators and researchers.
Find your place in a profession where evidence, empathy and action come together, and develop the skills to make a difference when people need support most.
Key features of this course
**Learn through real clinical experience.** Complete extensive practice learning across hospital, community and specialist mental health settings, building your confidence with different patients and services.
**See physical and mental health together.** Develop your understanding of the relationship between mental and physical wellbeing, including the biosciences and pharmacology relevant to mental health nursing.
**Work in partnership with people.** Learn to place service users, families and carers at the centre of care, developing approaches that recognise individual circumstances, preferences and strengths.
**Prepare to lead and coordinate care.** Progress from developing person-centred nursing skills in year 1 to managing and coordinating mental health care and preparing for your leadership responsibilities as a registered nurse.
**Connect learning with current research.** Take part in conference days where Southampton professors share their research, giving you opportunities to hear new ideas, build networks and experience an academic conference environment.
**Make research part of your practice.** Complete an independent research project and dissertation across your 2 years, strengthening your ability to question evidence and contribute to improvements in healthcare.
Your future career
Mental Health Nurses work with people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives, combining clinical expertise with communication, advocacy and compassionate care.
You’ll graduate able to assess needs, make complex decisions, evaluate practice, coordinate care and work effectively as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
After successfully completing the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.
Career possibilities include Community Mental Health Nurse, Inpatient Mental Health Nurse, Crisis Intervention Nurse, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse and Forensic Mental Health Nurse.
The MSc can also provide a foundation for later progression into leadership, research and specialist mental health nursing roles.
Wherever your nursing career takes you, you’ll leave Southampton with the competence, confidence and professional values to support people experiencing mental health challenges and advocate for the care they need.
Student support
Throughout your studies, an experienced registered nurse will act as your Personal Academic Tutor, providing ongoing support and guidance.
You’ll also take part in a Mental Health Nursing Professional Practice Development Group, helping you reflect on your learning, identify gaps in your knowledge and develop your practice.
During placements, you’ll be supported in practice while developing and demonstrating the professional skills required for registration.
Further information
This is a 2-year, full-time MSc based at Highfield Campus.
The course combines university study with 2,300 hours of practice learning. Most practical experience takes place through placements, with some learning completed in simulated environments.
There are no optional modules. You must successfully complete both the theory and practice elements of the programme.
If you’re already a graduate registered nurse and meet the Recognition of Prior Learning requirements, you may be able to gain registration in mental health nursing in around 20 months.
Applicants can come from any degree subject. Previous students have backgrounds including Psychology, Biology, English, Fine Art, Ship Science, Business Studies, Accountancy, Law and Archaeology.
Applicants normally need a 2:2 degree alongside the required GCSE qualifications. Recognition of Prior Learning requirements also apply to this accelerated pre-registration programme.
Admission Requirements
67+
6.5+
92+
120+
Healthcare, global health, or social sciences
30 Jun 2025
2 Years
Sep
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