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To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by December 2024.
Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
NHS Learning Support Fund
The Janice Ann McNaughton Bursary.
£3,000 (paid in the first year of study) is awarded every year to two first year students studying on this course. Students are eligible to apply if they are care-leavers or care-experienced students aged 18-24. If the cohort does not include two students who meet the above criteria, students under the age of 25 who are the first in their family to attend university may be considered. Applicants must fill in a short application form.
2nd in the UK for mental health nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2025)
92% satisfaction for learning opportunities (NSS, 2024, based on the average of Q5-9)
8th in the UK for nursing and midwifery (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025)
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life - from childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Approximately one in four of the population will be affected by poor mental health.
By pursuing a mental health nursing degree, you are taking a step towards making a positive impact on others’ lives. A degree in mental health provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals facing mental health difficulties. With a focus on flexibility and strong employment prospects, this course will prepare you for a rewarding career that, while challenging, offers invaluable rewards in improving the lives of those in your care.
Valuable work placements offer hands-on industry experience: As a Herts nurse, you’ll have 24-hour access to our Learning Resource Centre. We’ll provide you with placements to apply your theoretical learning. You’ll work with people from all backgrounds and in various community, specialist and hospital mental health teams. We have excellent links with a wide range of mental health care providers. Our local mental health NHS Trust partners are in Hertfordshire, North London and Milton Keynes and are rated ‘outstanding’ and ‘excellent’ by CQC. You will also be able to spend placement time within a vibrant voluntary and independent sector. You will develop your leadership and management skills alongside your therapeutic engagement skills to deliver the best possible outcome for service users.
Innovative and creative learning: You’ll be taught by some of the most imaginative and inspiring lecturers in mental health nursing. A diverse, academic team with a strong research clinical focus. All our teaching is research informed and delivered using recognised teaching and learning approaches. We will help you draw out your imagination, build your confidence and exceed your own goals.
Strong employment prospects: 98% of Herts health and social care graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).
Entitlement to apply to enter the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Mental Health).
Following successful completion of the mental health nursing programme, you will be entitled to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council UK. This registration will allow you to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available, enabling you to put into practice all you have learned and make a positive contribution to people’s lives.
An impressive 98% of Herts health and social care graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).
Typical areas of work for mental health nurse graduates include:
Nursing today offers greater flexibility and diversity than ever before. Mental health nurses can explore a wide array of specialties, and the skills that make you an effective mental health nurse are transferable in many other fields.
You will be able to seek employment in a wide range of organisations including the NHS, social services and private and voluntary organisations. Throughout your career, you will meet many people, and each day will bring new experiences. You will continually learn and develop innovative skills through both experience and education, enabling you to diversify or specialise in a particular area, which offers opportunities for promotion and job satisfaction.
Matron for Children's Emergency Service at Lister Hospital, Stevenage
Meet Lizzie Franklin-Jones MBE, an NHS nurse who has been recognised for her services to nursing and mental health.
Lizzie loved nursing from the first day of her studies. ‘I remember the first cannula I took out of a patient and even the way my first placement smelt. I remember the amazing teachers and placement mentors who taught me.’
‘Who would have thought I would now be an advanced paediatric life support instructor! I have my dream job and I am currently leading an exciting transformational project in expanding our emergency service.’
‘As soon as I graduated, I was offered a band five position within the emergency department where I did my last 12-week placement. This was a fantastic transition, however I remember being such a confident final year student but a very wobbly newly qualified nurse. It took me a little time to find my feet. I was able to take a career break and spent two years in Australia, working as an emergency nurse and travelling the world. I had the time of my life! As a band six I then worked across the UK at different hospitals through an agency, this gave me experiences of other clinical areas and teams. None of them quite met my expectation and I found I have blossomed at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where I have grown and developed my skills, knowledge, and leadership.’
‘The Florence Nightingale Foundation also changed my life. I was the first national scholar to be awarded the Michael Clift Leadership Scholarship, a scholarship to improve the care of vulnerable children and young people with mental health needs presenting to the emergency department in emotional distress and/or experiencing a mental health crisis.
From lived experience growing up, this was close to my heart, and this scholarship gave me with many scary but wonderful opportunities. I presented at the House of Lords to the most senior NHS leaders, including the Health Secretary and NHS Chief Executive. I spoke of the work we do at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust children’s services in partnership with young people, which was impacting change across our integrated care systems. This work has improved resources and facilities, the training and skills set for the teams, and built a network where health was an important partner in the care planning of children with multi-agency input.’
‘As a junior band seven nurse, I was incredibly lucky to shadow Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England. My time with Ruth inspired me to branch into community nursing as a children’s matron. I realised my skills are transferable and I loved the variety and challenge community nursing brought to my personal and professional portfolio.’
‘I now work closely with the University of Hertfordshire, and love teaching future nurses the importance of parity between physical and mental health for all children and young people. I believe that anyone can be a leader, regardless of statue or position. Leadership comes from within, and I look forward to coaching and nurturing future nurse and midwifery leaders.’
In 2021 Lizzie was awarded an MBE for her services to nursing and mental health.
‘I have had the most incredible role models and national leaders who have supported my nursing career personal development and leadership. My MBE is attributed to the amazing team I work alongside, the doctors, nurses, healthcare support workers, hospital administrators, liaison services and of course my family.
My MBE is and will always be one of the proudest moments of my life. It’s recognition and a symbol for my passion and service to the NHS – my passion for leadership, learning and caring for people.’
Lizzie’s favourite memory from Herts is the people she met. ‘I remember my first night at the University. I was in halls on the de Havilland campus, and I called my mum and she told me I had to go out and meet people. I cried the first night wanted to go home. I had accidently dropped my phone down the toilet and felt completely isolated from my normal life. I subsequently went on to meet some of my best friends in the first week!
I also loved writing my dissertation about children’s resuscitation training, spending many nights in the LRC (Learning Resources Centre) with all my friends.’
‘Take every opportunity and be authentic - in other words be you. Opportunity has taken me down career paths that have taught me the dos and don'ts, unleashed new passions, re-fired a fire in my belly in moments of doubt and has connected me to new people, expertise, and talent.
Be open minded and be present in the moment. Remember there is always opportunity for learning, that our role as nurses is ever changing and ever developing. A career in nursing is so vast, from education, research, digital, governance, prisons, schools, to safeguarding and politics. There is a dream job for you all, you just need to have the courage and curiosity to take the opportunity with both hands.’
Throughout your mental health nursing degree, 50% of your time will be spent at university and the other 50% will be spent working. You’ll engage in lectures, seminars, workshops, and small grouped learning. Whilst out on placement, you’ll support real people in real patient settings. You can gain experience of mental health nursing in hospitals, rehab units and even in their homes. You’ll build relationships with their families and friends. Together, you’ll provide a holistic and inclusive approach to nursing, we will be with you every step of the way helping you build on the latest knowledge and skills with experts in the mental health field.
In your first year, we will introduce you to the profession, right from the basics. Learn the philosophy behind mental wellbeing. Explore all aspects of psychological mental illnesses. What role does society play in defining mental health? What are the stigmas and notions of exclusion people face? You’ll learn to balance theoretical perspectives. You’ll practically apply your readings. You’ll gain a solid foundation for year two.
In your second year, you will now be able to assess a patient. You’ll be able to apply ethically safe interventions. This could be cognitive behavioural therapy. Or through active participation of family members. Learn the physical effects of medicines on the brain. Use your compassionate and caring nature to bring people closer to recovery.
In your final year you’ll find that you have grown to love certain topics. In this year, you can delve deeper in these areas. This could be socio-political issues that impact effective nursing practises. Or, how spiritual, psychosocial, cultural, and emotional aspects can affect how patients receive care. It’s entirely up to you.
Whilst studying for your degree in mental health, you'll get a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation. We will be with you every step of the way in practice areas too. With support from Academic Assessors, Practice Supervisors and Practice Education Facilitators.
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online tutorials. Both our LRCs (Learning Resource Centres) run drop-in study skills sessions. And the best thing is, it’s all free.
Your main campus is College Lane. This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
You’ll be taught by some of the most imaginative and inspiring lecturers in mental health nursing. A diverse, academic team with a strong research clinical focus. All our teaching is research informed and delivered using recognised teaching and learning approaches.
We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | (enter tariff range) |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | (enter range) |
| Typical IB offer | (enter range) |
| Typical BTEC offer | (enter range) |
| Typical T Level offer | (enter range) |
| GCSE | EG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics |
| Access courses | EG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| English language | All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level. |
|---|---|
| Additional information | Find out more about International Entry Requirements. |
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | 112–120 |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | BBC–BBB |
| Typical IB offer | 112–120 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at grade 4 or above (the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core). |
| Typical BTEC offer | DMM–DDM in Health and Social Care or a health related subject. |
| Typical T Level offer | Healthcare Science; Health; Science. |
| GCSE | Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics. |
| Access courses | 45 credits at level 3, which must equate to a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| English language | All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level. |
|---|---|
| Additional information | Find out more about International Entry Requirements. |
| Start date | Study type | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Full time - year 1 | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time - year 2 | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time - year 3 | Apply via UCAS | |
| September 2026 | Full time - year 1 | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time - year 2 | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time - year 3 | Apply via UCAS |
At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.
| Study type | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| UK students | Full time | £9,250 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
| EU students | Full time | £18,280 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
| International students | Full time | £18,280 for the 2025/2026 academic year |
Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
| Scholarships, grants and bursaries | Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies. |
|---|---|
| Disabled Students' Allowance | The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. |
| Student loans | Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments. |
| Accommodation costs | We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget. |
| Additional course fees | Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet. |
| Course fact sheets | |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) | Download PDF |
| BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) | Download PDF |
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Nursing | Download PDF |
| BSc (Hons) Nursing | Download PDF |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
|
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |
Course length |
Full Time, 3 Years |
