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Mental Health Nursing (Distance Learning)

Course details
  • BN (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Distance learning (full-time)
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Distance Learning (Bangor)
Awarded by:
Bangor University (Prifysgol Bangor)

Course summary

A first for Wales, Bangor’s full-time distance learning pathway allows you to study to become a mental health nurse. All you need is a computer, web cam, headset, the Internet, time and availability to travel to clinical placements. You’ll have access to cutting-edge technology and campus facilities.

Validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), our Bachelor of Nursing Mental Health (BN) prepares you to become a professional, caring and competent nurse, who prioritises patient needs. It blends a variety of clinical placements* within Wales with research based theory and supported clinical skills training featuring virtual technologies, which enable you to practise skills in a supported environment.

Spending half of your time on placement instils the importance of being part of a wider healthcare team, where you are supported by designated placement link tutors to support you to develop your clinical skills. You’ll also have the chance to reflect on what you learn with our own enthusiastic and experienced staff. The teaching team for the BN Nursing Mental Health programme has a wealth and range of experience across the lifespan to share with you during your on campus taught sessions.

Our mental health nursing students tell us that this degree has changed the way they not only view people, but also society at large. They see it as a privilege to work with, and see the positive changes in people who are learning to live with anything from personality disorders and psychosis to suicidal thoughts or substance misuse.

Clinical placements across Wales enable you (subject to availability) to experience a wide range of community and inpatient-based mental health services for children, adolescents, adults and older people. Diverse settings could include, for example, community, residential, public, private and independent hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and forensic medium secure hospitals.

Available to applicants from across the UK, 50% theory and 50% in practice placements. Placements within Wales, as close to a student’s home address as possible, however travel to placements and hubs may be required to access the range of learning experiences required to complete the course. Please see our website for full information.

Modules

For details of the modular structure, please see the course description on Bangor University's website.

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:
B769
Institution code:
B06
Campus name:
Distance Learning (Bangor)
Campus Code:
X

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We are unable to accept applications from international students for this course.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 96 - 120 points

A level

General Studies and Key Skills not normally accepted.

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

We will also consider other BTEC qualifications in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

including Distinction / Merit profile (maximum 9 Passes)

Scottish Higher

Minimum of 5 Scottish Highers - some subject specific grades/Advanced Highers may be required.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Accepted.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

We will accept this qualification in conjunction with other level 3 qualifications.

Extended Project

Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent. Please contact us for more information.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must normally have, or be working towards, a minimum of five GCSE grades A*-C/9-4 including GCSE Welsh or English first language and Mathematics/Numeracy (or a recognised alternative qualification*), but consideration is given to individual circumstances. *Recognised alternative qualifications for Welsh/English and/or Mathematics are Essential Skills Level Two in Communication and Application of Number, or Functional Skills Level Two in English and Maths (must be achieved within the last 3 years). The Irish Leaving Certificate minimum of O4 is the equivalent to GCSE Grade C/4.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - MMM - DDM

T Level

T Level qualifications in a relevant subject will be considered on a case by case basis.

Entry Process for Professional Courses:
All applicants must satisfy a range of entry criteria, please see the NMC’s Standards for Preregistration Nursing Education. NMC entry requirements include demonstrating good health and good character. The School requires all candidates to undertake an enhanced criminal record check and other requirements for demonstrating good character; the local Health Board will be responsible for setting the requirement for good health. The criminal records check will include an enhanced DBS check for the child and adult workforce including a check of the barred lists.
Applicants who have lived or worked outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence.  Candidates with entry qualifications older than 5 years must demonstrate evidence of recent study at an appropriate level. For further information and advice please contact the School at health.applications@bangor.ac.uk

The entry requirements outline the minimum educational requirements. If selected, applicants will be expected to attend an interview. Please note that we do not accept NVQ Level 3/QCF Level 3 as a means of meeting our entry qualifications. for further details on accepted qualifications, please see our website.

We welcome applications from mature students who are completing an Access HE Diploma or who have evidence of recent study at Level 3 or above in the past five years which meets our entry requirements.

International Applicants: As this course is funded by the NHS and students have to have placements in the local NHS Health Board we are unable to accept applications from international students.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Interview
Other
Technical requirements for studying this Distance Learning course • A PC or Mac computer, web cam and headset. Most computers under 5 years old will have sufficient specification. • Access to the Internet a min speed of 2Mbit/sec – note that if others in your household are using your internet connection at the same time you will need faster speeds or sole us of the connection during sessions. • Access to the Chrome web browser (this is free for download for Mac and Windows users) • You will also need a copy of Microsoft Office 365 – Bangor students are entitled to a free copy to use during their studies. This can be downloaded once students have completed registration for their course and have their Bangor IT credentials. • Please note that Chromebooks are not considered suitable for use by students studying on distance/dispersed courses.

English language requirements

For the most up-to-date information on acceptable English Language proficiency qualifications, please visit our webpage below. https://www.bangor.ac.uk/international/future/englishlanguage

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.

Bangor University is committed to widening participation in Higher Education (HE) and accepts students from a broad range of backgrounds.

To support students into Higher Education, we use a number of indicators to identify students who may be at a disadvantage in their ability to access Higher Education, in order to provide additional support.
Our admissions process involves assessing the entire application to make an assessment based on your grades and individual circumstances.

Learn more on the Bangor University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

LocationFeeYear
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1

* 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

On 4 December 2024 the Welsh Government confirmed that the tuition fee cap (the maximum tuition fee that regulated providers can charge to certain students on full-time undergraduate courses) will increase to £9,535 per year, subject to changes in the regulations by the Welsh Government.

Tuition fees and scholarship information for International applicants can be found here:

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/international/tuition

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