| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Nursing (Mental Health) - BSc (Hons)
Overview
Mental Health Nursing is a proactive and humanising profession, delivering valuable contributions to effective and equitable mental health services.
Course Details
Award
Bachelor of Science with Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
School
School of Nursing and Paramedic Science
Campus
Derry~Londonderry campus
UCAS code
B760
Start date
September 2026
Students from England, Scotland, Wales or EU (except the Republic of Ireland)
Unfortunately, Ulster University is not in a position to accept applications from students from England, Scotland, Wales or EU (except the Republic of Ireland) for this course due to regulations issued by the Department of Health Northern Ireland.
Career Opportunities
With this degree you could become:
- Mental Health Nurse
- Forensic Mental Health Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse Care of the Older Person
- Community Addictions Nurse
- Community Mental Health Nurse
- Mental Health Practitioner
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse
Graduate Employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST
- Southern health and Social Care Trust
- Western health and Social Care Trust
- Southeastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Independent Health Care providers
- Voluntary Sector health and social care providers
Course Structure
Year one
- Assessing the Mental and Physical Health Needs and Abilities of People
- The accountable, professional and evidence informed registered nurse (Mental Health)
- Interpersonal communication and collaboration in person and family centred nursing
- Planning and providing person-centred care for mental and physical well-being (Mental Health)
- Learning to be a professional nurse in practice
Year two
- Meeting the Mental and Physical Health Care Needs of People in Mental Health Nursing
- Promoting Holistic Health and Well-being in Mental Health Nursing
- The Accountable, Professional and Research Informed Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Interpersonal communication and the principles of psychological therapies
- Interdisciplinary Working in Practice
Year three
- Leadership and Quality Improvement in Healthcare Environments
- Supporting People with Complex Care Needs and Pharmacological Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
- Therapeutic psychological approaches and interventions in mental health nursing
- The Accountable, Professional and Research Competent Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Becoming a Registered Nurse
Standard Entry Conditions
A level
The A Level requirement for this course is BBC.
Applied General Qualifications
Overall BTEC National Extended Diploma (RQF) award profile DMM.
Overall BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) award profile DDD.
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English, Maths and Science at H6 if studied at Higher Level or 04 if studied at Ordinary Level.
International Baccalaureate
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 25 points (12 at higher level).
Access to Higher Education (HE)
Overall profile of 63% (120 credit NI Access course), to include one Level 3 Science module; a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
Overall profile of 15 D and 30 M (60 credit GB Access course).
GCSE
GCSE profile to include Grade C or 4 (or above) in English, Mathematics and Science.
Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
Pass in Level 2 Essential Skills Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
English Language Requirements
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking section.
OR
OET Certificate confirming C+ grade in writing and minimum B grade in reading, listening and speaking sections.
Additional Entry Requirements
Satisfactory Health and Access NI checks will be required.
Fitness for Practice Learning
The assessment of fitness for practice learning is a requirement for students who have opted to study courses to prepare them for regulated professions in healthcare and social work.
Careers & opportunities
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST
- Southern health and Social Care Trust
- Western health and Social Care Trust
- Southeastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Independent Health Care providers
- Voluntary Sector health and social care providers
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
- Mental Health Nurse
- Forensic Mental Health Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse Care of the Older Person
- Community Addictions Nurse
- Community Mental Health Nurse
- Mental Health Practitioner
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse
Career options
Career opportunities for graduates from this programme are excellent. Graduates are now working in many innovative posts in the field of mental health care, including such activities as holding their own clinics, introducing evidence-based practice, initiating practice development activities, undertaking research and holding joint appointments between service and the University.
Graduates are also qualified to apply for a range of postgraduate programmes in nursing such as the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Advanced Nursing, or MPhil/PhD. Following relevant experience graduates will be able to apply to undertake further study leading to additional NMC recognised qualifications such as specialist practice.
Professional Recognition
Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse (mental health).
Fees and funding
Scholarships, awards and prizes
There are numerous opportunities to achieve or be nominated for recognition and awards during the 3 year programme.
Additional mandatory costs
The amounts below are based on 2024 costs:
Health Screening and Vaccinations: £35 - £155 dependent on vaccinations required.
Access NI Enhanced Disclosure (criminal record check): £33
Uniform: Approximately £100
Practice Learning Handbook/Professional Award Badge: £20
Immediate Life Support (Resuscitation Council UK Certified): £45 (at time of publication)
Students will need to own a mobile devise (tablet) to be able to complete their E-portfolio
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Terms and Conditions
- We prepare our prospectus and online information about our courses with care and every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate. The printed version of the prospectus is, however, published at least a year before the courses begin. Information included in the prospectus may, therefore, change. This includes, but is not limited to changes to the terms, content, delivery, location, method of assessments or lengths of the courses described. Not all circumstances are foreseeable, but changes will normally be made for one of the following reasons:
- to meet external, professional, or accredited body requirements;
- to provide for exceptional circumstances due to reasons beyond our reasonable control;
- to improve or enhance your experience, or to adopt changes recommended in student feedback, with the aim of improving the student experience and/or student outcomes; and/or
- to ensure appropriate academic standards are met, for example in response to external examiners’ feedback.
- If there are insufficient enrolments to make a course viable, it may be necessary for the University to withdraw a course. If you have received an offer for a course that we subsequently have to close, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternative courses. If you do not wish to study any alternative courses at the University, you may withdraw your application by informing us by email to .
- Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses, campuses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
- We will include a durable PDF when we send you an offer letter which will highlight any changes made to our prospectus or online information about our courses. You should read this carefully and ensure you fully understand what you are agreeing to before accepting a place on one of our courses.
- The University will always try to deliver the course as described in the durable PDF you receive with your offer letter.
- At any point after an offer has been made, students will be notified of any course changes in writing (usually by email) as soon as reasonably practicable and we will take all reasonable steps to minimise their impact where possible. The University will, where possible and reasonably practicable, seek the express consent of the student in regard to any changes concerning material or pre-contract information.
- The University website will be updated to reflect the changed course information as soon as reasonably practicable.
- If, after due consideration, you decide that you no longer want to study your course or to study at the University because of the changes, you may withdraw your application or terminate your contract with the University. In order to do so, you should notify us in writing by emailing (and update UCAS if applicable). We will, on request, recommend alternative courses that you could study with us, or suggest a suitable course at an alternative higher education provider.
- If you do not agree that the changes are fair, you can seek redress under the Student Complaints Procedures (opens in new window).
- Providing the University has complied with the requirements of all applicable consumer protection laws, the University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any modification, relocation or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University. The University will give due and proper consideration to the effects thereof on individual students and take the steps necessary to minimise the impact of such effects on those affected.
- The University is not liable for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control providing it takes all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
- Further information can be found in our terms and conditions (opens in new window).
Student Terms and Conditions
The full Student Terms and Conditions 24/25 (opens in new window) is now available.
Testimonials
‘I was always interested in a career with people, but it was when I volunteered with St John’s Ambulance that I was inspired by one of the nurses to explore a career in mental health nursing. This is an area where I felt that I could really make a difference. The course is very well structured and the idea of providing patient-centred care is instilled from the very start. The course offers a mix of classroom, tutorial and scenario based learning alongside a variety of placements. I now have a professional career, making a difference, as a mental health nurse.' (Mental Health Nursing Graduate)