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University degree

Nursing

York St John University · York
Qualification
Degree
Length
3 yrs
UK fees / yr
£9,535
Study
full-time
Worth knowing: about 30% of students don't make it past first year here - ask the uni what support they offer.
Robin · your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Mental health nursing is a profession dedicated to supporting people experiencing the full range of mental health conditions, from anxiety and depression to psychosis, personality disorders, and acute psychiatric crises. It requires both clinical knowledge and deeply human qualities: the capacity to build therapeutic relationships, to communicate with skill and sensitivity, to advocate for patients in complex healthcare environments, and to sustain care in work that is emotionally demanding. Mental health nursing is a vital and growing speciality within the NHS and broader health and social care system, addressing needs that are at the forefront of public health.

At York St John University, this three-year, full-time degree prepares you for a career in mental health nursing through a combination of academic study and clinical placement in real healthcare settings. You will develop knowledge in areas including mental health law and ethics, therapeutic approaches, pharmacology, psychology, and the social determinants of mental health, alongside the practical skills that registered nursing requires. Clinical placements are central to the programme, giving you direct experience across a range of mental health settings including inpatient wards, community mental health teams, and crisis services.

The programme leads to eligibility to register as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council upon successful completion. The typical entry tariff of 104 points reflects the entry requirements for a professional nursing degree.

Mental health nursing graduates are consistently in demand across the NHS, independent healthcare providers, social care organisations, and the third sector. Roles include staff nurse, community psychiatric nurse, and mental health practitioner in a range of settings from acute inpatient care to community support services. Career progression can lead to advanced nursing practice, clinical management, specialist practitioner roles, and nurse consultancy.

Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in areas such as cognitive behavioural therapy, leadership, or specialist mental health practice.

Could you get in?
The grades students arrived with
80-95 pts15%
96-111 pts45%
112-127 pts30%
144-159 pts15%
How they qualified
90% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:
A-levels90%
another degree5%
other higher education5%
Could I get in? Try your grades
120 UCAS pts
Pay & prospects
96%
In work or further study after
70%
Continue past first year
89%
Student satisfaction
What graduates earn over time
£26,500
3 years on
£29,500
5 years on
What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers
Administrative occupations5%
Therapy professionalsHighly skilled55%
Caring personal services5%
Natural and social science professionalsHighly skilled11%
Secretarial and related occupations2%
Welfare and housing associate professionalsHighly skilled9%
Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled2%
Other Health ProfessionalsHighly skilled2%
What students say National Student Survey
89%
of students are satisfied with the course overall
Teaching90%
Assessment & feedback92%
Academic support95%
Well organised92%
Learning resources86%
Student community100%
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Where this degree can lead
Clinical Research CoordinatorCardiac TechnicianClinical Research CoordinatorEnvironmental Health ProfessionalsClinical Research AssociateSpeech and Language Therapy Assistant
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on York St John University's own site.
Apply on uni site
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Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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