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An image to illustrate the BSc (Honours) Nursing
Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, placing you at the heart of patient care and wellbeing. Our BSc (Honours) Nursing offers Mental Health Nursing as one of several specialisms, combining practice-based and online learning to equip you with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make a real difference. You’ll study four fields of nursing practice before specialising in Mental Health. On completion, you’ll be eligible to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register as a qualified nurse. With employer support, the OU enables you to study alongside your role, applying your learning directly in practice.
1subject to NMC approval
This nursing degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
In Stage 1, you’ll build a strong foundation through a 60-credit practice-focused module and a 60-credit theory module in healthcare. It provides the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to reach progression point 1 (NMC requirement), while examining the experience of giving and receiving care across a wide range of healthcare settings and exploring how to maintain the relevance of your practice in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing health and social care (KYN102)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to healthcare practice (KYN104)60Mar | Oct

At Stage 2, you’ll enhance your expertise through a second practice-based module and a theory module that deepens your understanding. The practice module incorporates three substantial learning opportunities to apply your knowledge in practice and develop greater confidence as a caregiver. Tutorials will be driven using enquiry-based learning in small groups using case scenarios or vignettes, working with peers to support a positive learning community.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Developing nursing practice (KYN211)60Mar | Jun
Understanding nursing: knowledge and theory (KYN210)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 3, you’ll study a final practice module that determines your specialism in Mental Health Nursing, with three further learning opportunities to apply your knowledge in practice to develop your increasing confidence. Alongside this, you’ll continue to advance your nursing theory, and by the end of this stage you’ll be ready to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council to join their professional register and work as a registered nurse with a specialism in Mental Health Nursing.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Assimilating nursing: knowledge and theory (KYN325)60Jun | Oct | Feb
Becoming an autonomous practitioner: mental health (KYN327)60Apr | Jul | Nov

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by personal and practice tutors, structured online materials, workplace supervision, and continuous feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
This flexible, practice-based programme typically takes between 3 and 4 years (around 39–45 months) to complete, depending on your study route and location.
Your online module website is your central hub for learning. You’ll find weekly study planners, course materials, case studies, and interactive activities. It’s also where you’ll connect with fellow students in discussion forums and keep track of your assignments and deadlines.
Learning is built around a mix of academic study and practice. You’ll explore nursing theory through online modules, while developing your skills and confidence in supervised practice placements with your employer. This blend of study and experience helps you link what you learn directly to your day-to-day role.
Your OU tutor will support you through online tutorials, feedback, and guidance. Tutorials are usually live and interactive, with recordings available if you can’t attend. You’ll also work with other students in collaborative activities, building the teamwork and communication skills essential for nursing.
Placements are central to your development as a nurse. In practice, you’ll be supported by experienced supervisors and assessors who will help you apply your academic learning, develop new skills, and reflect on your progress. These experiences give you the confidence to work safely and effectively in different healthcare settings.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of written assignments, reflective work, online activities, and end-of-module assessments. Your competence in practice will also be assessed by supervisors and assessors, ensuring you’re developing the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Alongside flexible learning resources, you’ll have support from tutors, practice supervisors, and specialist student support teams. You’ll also have access to the OU library, IT support services, and the wider OU community to help you succeed.
You’ll need to work in a relevant healthcare environment and have the support of your employer to study this degree.
You should also meet the education and personal attributes of the nursing programme:
If you do not currently work in a healthcare setting and live outside these partnership areas, we recommend visiting the NHS Health Careers website for advice and ideas on entering the profession.
If you have completed healthcare-related modules or qualifications at higher education level within the last 10 years (e.g., Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner, Diploma of Higher Education, or a Degree), you may be able to count that study towards our BSc (Honours) Nursing.
You need to contact the Student Recruitment Team, which will refer you for a more detailed discussion with a member of the Nursing team in your location. Following this conversation, you may receive the Pre-Registration Nursing Programme (PRNP) application form, which explains what you need to provide and by when.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 18th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.
£28,605*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – 85% of our new students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
As a student on the BSc (Honours) Nursing, you may need to apply for a Full-Time Tuition Fee Loan. You pay nothing up front and only start repayments when you’re earning over the income threshold, currently £25,000. Repayments are linked to your income to ensure they’re affordable, and are deducted automatically by your employer through the UK tax system. On a salary of £27,000, for example, repayments would be just £15.00 a month.
If you think a Full-Time Tuition Fee Loan is right for you, find out how to apply for a loan.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
You may be eligible for:
The Open University delivers this qualification in partnership with healthcare employers. You must already be working in a caring role where registered nurse mentors are available and have the support of your employer. You will continue to work while you study, provided your employer supports you and a suitable range of practice experience can be agreed. You will need to discuss the opportunity with your employer and with a member of the nursing academic team in your location.
For more details, contact us at +44 (0)300 303 0529.
If you're interested in the nursing programme for your staff, you can find out more employer-related information here.
In addition to meeting the NMC competencies, the practice learning part of this degree develops skills that are highly transferable in the labour market – including critical analysis, numeracy, literacy, digital literacy, communication, team working, problem solving/solution finding, ICT proficiency, leadership, management and innovation. This programme has been designed to meet the 2018 Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses.
You'll be supported to develop the professional behaviours, inter-professional working, values and attitudes expected of a compassionate nurse who can demonstrate connectedness, emotional intelligence, and moral responsibility. This will be done using Enquiry Based Learning to facilitate you to acquire requisite knowledge and skills. This research-orientated approach will inspire you to learn for yourself in readiness for lifelong learning and leadership.
The learning outcomes for this degree have been mapped to (and fully comply with) the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2018 Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes, and to subject benchmarking statements for Nursing. On successful completion of your studies, you are eligible to apply for registration to the professional register as a qualified nurse.
On graduating from the BSc (Honours) Nursing (Mental Health), you’ll be eligible to apply for entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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