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Nursing (Mental Health)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site - Highfield Campus
More about University of Southampton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Summary:

Be there when it matters most. On this Mental Health Nursing degree, you will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to support people experiencing challenges with their mental health, making a real difference to their lives and those around them.

Mental health nursing is about understanding the whole person. You will learn how to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care, responding to individual experiences and supporting recovery in a range of settings.

At Southampton, ranked 3rd in the UK and 13th in the world for Nursing (QS World University Rankings, 2026), your learning is shaped by research and real clinical experience, preparing you for a meaningful career in healthcare.

Key features of the course:

Learn to deliver person-centred care using trauma-informed approaches, responding to the needs of individuals and their families.

Gain experience across a wide range of placements, including community mental health services, inpatient wards, early intervention teams and specialist clinics.

Learn from experienced nurses and people with lived experience, bringing real insight into your studies.

Train in modern facilities, including simulated practice environments that prepare you for real clinical situations.

Join a supportive community of students and staff who will guide you from your first day through to becoming a qualified nurse.

Graduate with the opportunity to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Mental Health).

Student support:

From day one, you will be supported both on campus and during placements by your Personal Academic Tutor and a network of experienced staff.

You will also be part of a close student community, with initiatives such as a student buddy scheme and Schwartz Rounds to help you reflect on your experiences and develop as a compassionate healthcare professional.

Further information:

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Mental Health).

The NHS Learning Support Fund may be available to support your studies. If you are a UK applicant, you may be eligible for £5,000 per academic year, depending on your circumstances.

Modules

Throughout this course you'll explore the breadth of the discipline, equipping you with the skills to become a registered Nurse.

Year 1: Working in partnership in mental health nursing, integrating physical health and pharmacology.

Year 2: Exploring psychosocial interventions and supporting people with serious mental illness.

Year 3: Leading innovation and managing complex care in mental health.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.

Assessment method

Throughout your degree you'll be supported to achieve your best in assessments by our vibrant Health Sciences community, your Personal Academic Tutor, and your Practice Mentor.

Assessments on this programme range from coursework, written and practical exams to projects. Assessment takes place throughout the course to ensure that you are reaching the right levels of attainment. Your practical skills will be assessed whist you are on placement and recorded by your Practice Mentor.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Nursing and Midwifery Council

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
B760
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B760
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBC

A pass in the science practical required where applicable

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

DDM in Health Studies or Science

Access to HE Diploma
D: 15 credits M: 30 credits

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 must be at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit.

Must be Health or Science Based

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).

Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DM

DM from BTEC National Diploma and grade B in A Level subject

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

D from BTEC National Extended Certificate and grades BC in two A Level subjects

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
DDM

DDM in Health Studies or Science

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
DM

DM from BTEC Diploma and grade B in A Level subject

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

D from BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and grades BC from two A Level subjects

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
28 points

Pass, with overall score of 28, with 14 points at Higher Level

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):
The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered.

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
C

BB from two A levels and C from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Extended Project
Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H3, H3, H3, H4, H4

Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
M2, M2, M3

T Level
M

Health or Healthcare Science – An overall Merit with grade C in the Core element and Merit in Supporting the Nursing Team Specialism

GCSEs: Minimum of GCSE Maths and English Language (A*-C or 4-9). GCSE Science (A*-C or 4-9) also required if not offered as a level 3 qualification. Certain GCSE equivalent qualifications will be considered.

FETAC / QQI Level 5 120 Credits: Pass in every module, with distinction essential in at least 4 modules including Human Growth and Development (or Biology), Anatomy and Physiology and Nursing Theory. Applicants are also required to hold Ordinary Maths and English at O4 or higher. Certain FETAC modules will be accepted in lieu of these.

Recent relevant study within the last 5 years.

You may be required to attend a selection day and complete satisfactory Occupational Health and Police Checks.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Interview

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)7with a minimum of 7.0 in Listening, Reading & Speaking and with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

A proportion of students who enrolled on this course in previous years exceeded their offer conditions securing their place on their chosen course with grades higher than our published entry criteria.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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