Swansea University

What you'll study

This part-time honours degree combines theory, practical skills and supervised clinical placements to build competence in mental health nursing. Core subject areas include mental health assessment and formulation, nursing practice across the lifespan, psychosocial interventions, psychopharmacology, risk assessment and management, therapeutic communication, law and ethics in mental health, and research methods applied to practice.

• Year-by-year structure (typical): early stages emphasise foundational knowledge such as anatomy and physiology, communication skills, and an introduction to mental health conditions; intermediate stages develop clinical decision-making, care planning and risk management; final stages focus on complex care, leadership, service improvement and a practice-based project or dissertation.
• Practice learning: The programme includes repeated, supervised clinical placements in a range of settings — acute and psychiatric in-patient units, community mental health teams, crisis services, primary care and third-sector providers — supported by university-based simulation and clinical skills teaching.
• Learning methods: Blended delivery with lectures, seminars, small-group work, simulation sessions and reflective practice. Assessment methods include written assignments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), case presentations, care planning portfolios and a final independent project.

Entry requirements

Swansea University seeks applicants who demonstrate academic potential alongside the values and behaviours required for safe nursing practice. Typical entry routes include A-levels or equivalent qualifications, Higher National Certificates/Diplomas, Access to Higher Education diplomas, or prior study in health and social care. Relevant work or volunteer experience in mental health or caring roles is highly desirable for part-time applicants.

• English language and numeracy at GCSE grade C/4 (or recognised equivalent) are usually required.
• Mature applicants and applicants with appropriate health-related qualifications or learning may be considered through the university's recognition of prior learning processes.
• All offers are conditional on satisfactory occupational health checks, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and fitness to practise declarations.

Career prospects

Graduates qualify to apply for professional registration as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling employment across a wide range of services. Common first roles include staff nurse posts in NHS mental health trusts or health boards, community mental health teams, crisis resolution and home treatment teams, early intervention services, and specialist areas such as forensic mental health or substance misuse services.

• With experience, nurses typically progress to senior clinical roles, team leadership, specialist practitioner roles or community case management.
• Many graduates go on to specialise further through postgraduate study (for example in advanced clinical practice, psychotherapy, child and adolescent mental health) or pursue non-clinical careers in policy, education, research and commissioning.

Why study at Swansea University

Swansea University’s School of Health and Social Care has established links with local health services, providing students with access to a broad range of placement opportunities across urban and rural settings in Wales. The programme combines practice-based learning with dedicated clinical skills facilities and simulation suites to support safe, supervised development of hands-on nursing skills.

• Interprofessional learning with other health and social care students develops collaborative practice and real-world teamworking skills.
• Personal academic support, practice learning facilitators and student wellbeing services help part-time students balance study and other commitments.
• The university’s research and teaching in mental health and wellbeing inform curriculum content, giving students exposure to current evidence and service innovations.