BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) at York St John University is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a qualified mental health nurse.
About this course
This degree will prepare you for a rewarding career in mental health nursing. You will learn to lead person-centred care and make positive contributions to health and wellbeing. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 96% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 96% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 70% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Nursing Practice 1Compulsory40 credits
Module details
This is a work-based learning module which runs across the academic year. You will be closely guided by experienced professionals throughout your placements, as you gain confidence and competence in your nursing practice. The placements you experience on this module will reflect your mental health nursing specialism, and there are also opportunities to explore alternative fields and enrichment placements. This module also includes taught sessions, which will support your practical learning and g
- Foundations of Nursing PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will run across both semesters, in parallel with your work-based learning module (Nursing Practice 1). It will provide a theoretical foundation for your learning, as well as including opportunities to practise your skills and take part in simulation experiences. Learning about the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of key body systems will prepare you to deliver safe and effective nursing care. We will introduce you to: The principles of integrative nursing and person-centred ca
- Becoming a Professional NurseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help you develop the academic skills needed to make the most of your university experience. There is also a focus on the professional, ethical and legal principles that will underpin your professional practice. On this module you will: Reflect on your personal strengths, values and behaviours and relate them to your professional practice and identity Consider the nature of leadership in health care, reflecting on personal qualities, attitudes, skills and behaviours Identify your
- Health and WellbeingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module we will introduce you to the key concepts of: Health Health assessment Health promotion Health protection Health beliefs Illness prevention The focus will be on assessing the health and wellbeing of people from diverse communities in a range of different environments. In doing so you will consider biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health, as well as the person's capacity for health, healing, and recovery. Through this you will consider the impact of the so
Year 2 4 modules
- Nursing Practice 2Compulsory40 credits
Module details
In your second year you will continue to develop your professional skills by progressing onto the next stage of your work-based learning. By this stage of the course you will be actively participating in care, with minimal guidance, as your confidence and competence further increases. Your progress on this module will continue to be supported by taught sessions, which will help you to develop your coaching skills.
- Nursing in PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will run across both semesters, in parallel with your work-based learning module (Nursing Practice 2). It will provide an ongoing theoretical foundation to complement and support your practical learning. You will benefit from valuable opportunities to apply nursing principles in simulation scenarios, before encountering them in your practice placements. It will also allow you to build confidence in: Supporting people experiencing health challenges Identifying signs of deteriorations
- Evidence-Based NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help you to develop your skills as an evidence-based practitioner, preparing you for the research project which you will carry out in your final year. You will learn to: Develop research questions and methodology Find and review appropriate evidence Design, plan and complete applications for ethical approval You can work individually or as part of a collaborative group, and you can choose to focus on: Primary research (for example a survey or case study) Secondary research (for
- Person-Centred Health and HealingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn to engage meaningfully, sensitively and effectively with people to make shared decisions about health and care. To do this you will analyse a range of models and strategies that support person-centred discussions about health. Your learning will be focused around the principles of: Whole person health, healing, and recovery Partnership working Negotiated approaches to care There will be opportunities throughout the module to engage in health coaching, and practice n
Year 3 4 modules
- Nursing Practice 3Compulsory40 credits
Module details
In your third year you will further refine your professional skills by progressing onto the final stage of your work-based learning. By this stage of the course you will be practising independently, with minimal supervision, leading and coordinating care with confidence. Your taught sessions will help you to develop your leadership skills, as well as supporting you with the transition to registration and professional practice.
- Nursing Research ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Through this module you will contribute to the ongoing evidence base which supports safe, effective nursing and whole person care. You will conduct an ethically sound, well-managed project with the supervision of an experienced member of the academic team. This will enable you to gain experience of using research methodologies and insight into the role of evidence in service improvement. The type of research investigation you undertake could include: Primary research (for example a survey or cas
- Health, Social Justice and Global NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will explore how nurses work to promote health and healing, address health inequalities, and champion social justice. You will engage in discussion and debate, articulating your ideas and evaluating global health challenges from a whole person, whole systems perspective. This will include interrogating population data, examining the commoditisation of health, and reviewing global trends in health and wellbeing. We will encourage you to reflect on your experience of working in
- Complex Care and LeadershipCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn to recognise the signs of deteriorating physical and mental health, and support people with complex health needs. You will demonstrate your leadership and management skills by leading, planning and evaluating the nursing care of people in challenging and crisis situations. You will maintain a whole person focus throughout the module by referring to the humanisation of nursing framework to evaluate the quality of care. You will examine the legal and ethical aspects o
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This degree prepares you to lead person-centred care and make positive contributions to health and wellbeing in mental health nursing. You'll usually begin with foundations of nursing practice, communication and core clinical skills, alongside anatomy and physiology. A course like this normally moves through supervised placements (approximately 50% of your time) from year one onwards, integrating classroom learning with practice in settings such as acute care, community and mental health units. Years two and three progressively cover medicines management, complex care coordination and leadership. Throughout, you'll develop competence in assessing and managing mental health conditions, with evidence-based practice and quality improvement becoming central to your final year. Specialisations available include leadership and community and primary care pathways.
Who it's for
This course suits students with A-levels or equivalent qualifications. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent, with a typical UCAS tariff of 96–111 points among recent entrants. You'll study mental health nursing alongside related specialisations such as adult nursing, child health, public health and paramedic science. The course leads to professional registration, enabling you to work as a qualified mental health nurse across the NHS and independent healthcare settings.
Careers & job market
Across nursing and health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 at 15 months; after three years, £23,800–£33,600; and after five years, £27,200–£38,400.
University & format
York St John University is a University located at YSJ Main Campus. This is a 3-year full-time BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) degree taught in English. The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a qualified nurse (mental health). York St John University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body and holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,500 | £27,500 – £29,000 | 50 |
| 3 years after | £26,500 | £21,000 – £29,500 | 220 |
| 5 years after | £29,500 | £22,500 – £33,000 | 225 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Therapy professionalsSOC 2020 222 · 55% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,338
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 11% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 125; response rate: 62%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) worth it?
It depends. BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) adds about +£25,630 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 20.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
96% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.6 out of 10: NSS 90.6% · in work or study 96% · continued 70%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £9,790 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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