Mental Health Nursing is a, proactive and humanising profession, delivering valuable contributions to effective and equitable mental health services.
This is a three years full-time (each year of 45 weeks). Students will study six 20 credit modules each academic year and complete an average of 22 weeks practice learning across three semesters.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
This course is designed to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Nurse Education (2010). The three-year course prepares students for the professional role of a qualified mental Health nurse. The course will enable nurses to give and support high quality care in rapidly changing environments.
Each year must be successfully completed before a student is permitted to progress to the next year. Overall the course is structured so that learning occurs 50% of the time in nursing practice while the other 50% covers theory & practice in the university.
The course will equip the graduate nurse with the knowledge, skills and attitude to deliver high quality complex essential Mental Health Nursing in a manner that safeguards the public. Graduate nurses will have developed the ability to act with professionalism and integrity, and work within agreed professional, ethical and legal frameworks and processes to maintain and improve standards of care. Throughout the course students will learn to practice person centered evidence based nursing in a compassionate and respectful way that promotes dignity and wellbeing.
The skills of communication, leadership and health promotion, that are integral to professional nursing practice, are also developed throughout the course.
Students are required to attend all timetabled classes and practice learning allocation throughout the programme.
The modular structure of our teaching, learning and assessment is designed to enable students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of nursing in an inclusive and collaborative way. A blended approach to learning, teaching and assessment embraces both face to face teaching methods and the use of technology to enhance the student experience in learning and assessment.
The curriculum promotes enquiry based learning and critical thinking across all years and modules and creates opportunities for active learning through evolving technologies and creative approaches. Lectures introduce key themes and seminars and tutorials enable students to examine topics further in smaller groups. Students are encouraged to connect theory to practice through, practical workshops, simulation, group work, roleplay, presentations, debate and reflection that focusses on self-development and the real world examples. Learning and assessment in practice is evidenced and catalogued through the completion of a practice assessment document. Formative assessments inform students of their progress and identifies areas that require development in a structured student focussed manner and contribute to the summative assessment.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
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We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Grades BBC
Overall BTEC National Extended Diploma (RQF) award profile DMM
Overall BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) award profile DDD
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
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 25 points (12 at higher level)
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 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 for international applicants
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.
Satisfactory Health and Access NI checks will be required.
These will be organised by the University and you will receive the relevant information if you gain a place on the course.
Acceptable alternative qualifications include:
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 45 Distinctions in Level 5 credits/units.
Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include 75 Distinctions in Level 4 credits/units.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of the different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met). Examples of acceptable combinations include:
2 A Levels and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
OCR National Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
2 A Levels and Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
A Level and BTEC National Diploma
How we select our students
STAGE 1 –You must apply through UCAS by the closing date of 25 January 2023 (18:00 hours). Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
STAGE 2 -A Consent & Declaration form will be sent to you by email. If you receive this from both Ulster and Queen’s, you must complete both and return to the relevant institution.
STAGE 3 - Interview –we will invite you to complete a recorded online interview through the Modern Hire platform. Interviews will take place in February 2023.
NB: It is assumed that if you submit your video interview for assessment, that you were 'fit' to create this. If unwell a request should be made for an alternative date and this will be accommodated, where possible.
STAGE 4 - Offers: Applicants who pass the interview are ranked by interview score. Offers are normally made in April. You should note that, if you have applied to both Ulster and QUB, it is possible to receive an offer from one institution and not the other.
Those applicants who do not receive an offer in the first round are placed on a 'reserve list' in case places become available later in the summer. You should note that there is no guarantee that additional places will become available.
Please note if you are unsuccessful at any of the above stages you will be notified via UCAS.
The tuition fee is fully funded by the Department of Health for students who have been habitually resident in Northern Ireland for three years prior to the commencement of the course, and students who are Republic of Ireland nationals. Students from England, Scotland, Wales and the rest of the EU are not eligible for this funding.
A non means tested bursary is also available. The bursary is intended to assist with daily living costs incurred while on training and is awarded for each year of the three-year course (paid in monthly instalments). Students who commenced in 2022/23 will receive approximately £5,000 per year.
ENTRY TO YEAR 2
Applicants may apply to Year 2 from another HEI (via UCAS.com) if the following criteria is met:
Applicants who meet/can meet the above criteria will be required to complete an APL application form to map their previous learning against the new programme at Ulster. Only applicants who successfully complete the APL process will be invited to interview.
The final number of places available in Year 2 will not be confirmed until the end of June following the Board of Examiners. After interview applicants will be rank ordered according to interview score and offers made in accordance with the number of places available.
Registered Nurses wishing to gain a second nursing qualification may apply for admission with advanced standing and complete a shortened course. The exact length of their programme will be decided individually and will be determined by their previous academic and nursing qualifications through the APL process.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
Career opportunities for graduates from this programme are excellent. Graduates are now working in many innovative posts in the field of 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
Students have the opportunity to undertake a practice learning experience outside the UK of up to 4 weeks . Students may undertake such experiences only where formalised agreements exist between the University and practice partners. All students will be prepared for such experiences and must have the essential language skills needed to participate in learning activities, and where relevant have the level of language required to safely and effectively engage in direct patient care.
Recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse (mental health).
2024/25 Fees
Fees for entry in 2024/25 have not yet been set. See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2023/24 entry.
There are numerous opportunities for recognition and awards during the course.
The amounts below are based on 2022 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.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
‘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)
