Why study BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing at BU?

  • One in four people will struggle with mental health issues at some point during their life. It is a rapidly expanding area of nursing that needs caring, compassionate and competent professionals
  • This course will teach you how to deliver high-quality nursing care; to enable, educate and encourage those experiencing mental health problems to progress towards recovery
  • Practical experience takes a central role in the course, with 50% of your time being spent on placement in a variety of healthcare environments across the south
  • Learn from registered nurses and other healthcare practitioners, as well as carers and service users who provide valuable insight and personal experience of mental health care. 
  • Put your learnings into practice in our purpose built Bournemouth Gateway Building and benefit from simulated hospital wards and community home settings
  • Our annual Careers Fair has numerous healthcare exhibitors in attendance, helping you to gain employment as a registered nurse on completion of the course. 100% of our nursing graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.

Find out more about the content of this course

Not sure which nursing course is for you? Read our guide to nursing courses at BU. 

Funding support: Nursing students may be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant of at least £5,000 a year and mental health nursing students may also be eligible for an additional £1,000 specialist subject payment as it has been confirmed as a shortage specialism. Find out more information about the funding. Please note that this funding is not available for students on the foundation year, however you will be able to access it once you complete the foundation year and move onto the degree.

Foundation Year: We have a Foundation Year option for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the scientific skills needed to prepare you for the Mental Health Nursing degree, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. After successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the full degree and begin your Mental Health Nursing study. The Foundation Year will be based at the Talbot Campus, Bournemouth. If you apply to study the full degree and do not meet the academic entry requirements, our admissions team may consider your application for the Foundation Year and notify you accordingly.

Apprenticeship route: Our registered nursing degree apprenticeships (RNDA) in Mental Health Nursing and Adult Nursing allow you to be employed and receive a full wage while studying.​

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process, and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded. These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025 entry. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), this course will prepare you to be eligible to register and practice as a registered mental health nurse. Please note that the Foundation Year part of the course is not accredited.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2024, September 2025

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus. Foundation Year: Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus.

Duration:

3 years, including mandatory placements or 4 years with the Foundation Year (1 year, followed by 3 years including mandatory placements)

Accreditations:

Nursing & Midwifery Council

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2024 and September 2025 entry: 112 - 128 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma of DMM.  Foundation Year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2024 and September 2025 entry: If English is not your first language you will need 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components. For more information check out our international entry requirements.