Course Overview
This course is delivered through our offer for Higher Education, University Centre Somerset.
This course starts on Monday 7 September 2026.
This is a full-time course. It is recommended that any employment undertaken alongside study amounts to no more than 8-12 hours per week.
Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career that’ll change lives, including your own. As a mental health nurse you’ll play your part in improving access to healthcare, wellbeing, social inclusion and quality of life.
The course will enable students to work in hospital and community settings within the NHS, social care, primary care and private settings. Your studies will look at how to care for people across their lifespan and consider the importance of holistic nursing care.
You’ll learn from a passionate, enthusiastic, skilled and supportive team with a range of experience across the many different aspects of Mental Health nursing. Many are active researchers; your learning will be enriched by the very latest in best practice and clinical understanding.This course has a strong practical focus, allowing you to gain competence carrying out the hands-on tasks you will perform in your career. Half your time will be spent on placements with our established partners. You will also have regular access to outstanding facilities including our Clinical Skills Simulation Centre: virtual wards where you will be able to develop your clinical expertise in a safe, instructive environment.
Based at our Taunton Campus, you will interact with and learn from other students from a range of health and social care courses. You will develop essential people skills as you work with patients and their families, as well as our partners on placements, in class and online.
Content may include:
- Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology for Nursing
- Episodes of Care 1-4
- Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
- Principles of Nursing
- Sustainable Global Public Health
- Assessment and Decision Making
- Pharmacology and Medicines Management
- Research Methodologies of Nursing Enquiry
- Supporting People with Complex Needs.
- Leadership and Supervision
- Nursing Final Project
- Transition to Registration.
Plus, an independent study module where you choose the area of focus within your field of nursing.
Find out more here.
Assessment Methods
Our philosophy of nurse education encompasses flexible, progressive, and innovative approaches ensuring you will be a caring, competent, and critically thinking nurse. Some of our approaches include experiential learning, enquiry and action-based learning, group work and face-to-face learning.
You will learn about the importance of your relationship as a nurse with both the service user and their family and friends. We will support you to develop the interpersonal skills you’ll need to build therapeutic relationships with people in diverse cultural contexts.
Develop your expertise in healthcare systems, nursing management, and the sociology of health, wellness, and illness. Explore the latest research and evidence-based practice and learn to adapt and respond to changes in society and developments in care. With a strong focus on building independent learning and research skills, the course also provides an excellent preparation for future professional development. With the help of distance learning and self-directed materials you will be supported to take responsibility for your own learning.
Progression Options
Registered Mental Health nurses are in demand across the UK and our graduates enter careers in a variety of roles for the NHS, private and voluntary sector employers in community and hospital settings.
You could go on to specialise in positions in hospitals, healthcare centres as a community nurse, in GP practices, schools, as a health visitor, or with patients in their own homes.
Once qualified you can also combine clinical practice with study on a post graduate course to specialise in a specific area. Progression could lead to senior positions such as consultant nurse, nurse specialist, researcher, or local or regional services manager.
Entry Requirements
Typically entrants will possess:
- A minimum of 112 UCAS points from a full Level 3 qualification
- GCSEs at grade 4 and above to include English and maths, or equivalent.
You will be required to complete:
- Disclosure and Barring Service check
- Health checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application route depends on your chosen study mode. For full-time undergraduate degrees, you will need to apply via UCAS. If you are applying for a part-time course, a professional qualification, or a Degree Apprenticeship, you can usually apply directly through our website using the ‘Apply Now’ button on the course page. If you need any guidance, our Admissions team is always on hand to help.
Every programme at University Centre Somerset is designed as a ‘Degree for Real Life.’ We focus heavily on employability, meaning your studies will be directly linked to industry needs. You will benefit from work-based learning, live commercial briefs, and our strong regional employer networks. Additionally, our dedicated Careers team offers 1:1 guidance to help you refine your CV, prepare for interviews, and build your professional network.
Transitioning to higher education is a significant step, and we treat you as an independent adult while providing robust support. You will be assigned a personal academic tutor to guide your academic progress. We also offer dedicated Higher Education study skills sessions, library support, and a comprehensive Student Support team providing confidential advice on mental health, wellbeing, and financial concerns.
Most UK students studying a first degree, Foundation Degree, or HND are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance loans through Student Finance England. If you are studying a Degree Apprenticeship, your tuition fees are fully funded by your employer and the government, and you earn a salary while you learn. We also offer advice on eligible bursaries and financial hardship funds – contact our Student Support team for tailored advice.
Yes. We offer dedicated, independent student accommodation tailored for our higher education learners, primarily based at our Taunton and Cannington campuses. Our HE options provide a safe, comfortable, and mature environment that fosters a strong learning community, with easy access to our state-of-the-art campus facilities.
Absolutely. We welcome applications from mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications. We consider a wide range of experience, including vocational qualifications, Access to HE diplomas, and relevant professional experience. If you are unsure whether your current qualifications meet the entry criteria, please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss your individual pathway.
We understand that many of our HE students balance their studies with employment and family commitments. We strive to condense our full-time degree timetables into a few days a week to allow for part-time work or independent study. Our part-time routes are specifically designed to be flexible for working professionals.
We are here to help. You can submit a direct enquiry using the form our Contact page, or you can contact our Higher Education admissions team via email or phone. We also highly recommend registering for our next Open Event, where you can speak directly with the lecturers and tour our advanced facilities.
