Tertiary degree · Level 8 · Health & Social Care

BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing starting in Oughterard

A five-year route into mental health nursing. You do a Level 5 Nursing Studies year in Oughterard, then four years at ATU Mayo. It suits caring, patient people interested in mental health and recovery.

How tertiary degrees work: you apply directly to the further education college, not through the CAO, and you don't need CAO points. You start in the further education college and then move on to the university or technological university to finish the full degree. Applications usually open early in the year; 2026 closing dates ranged from March to May.

Key facts

How long
5 years (Year 1 at Oughterard FET Centre, Years 2-5 at ATU)
Award
BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing (ATU)
Where you study
  • Year 1: Oughterard Further Education & Training Centre, Camp Street, Oughterard, Co. Galway (GRETB) → Years 2–5: ATU Mayo Campus, Castlebar

Entry requirements

  • Leaving Cert/LCVP, or a Merit in Leaving Cert Applied, or a relevant QQI Level 4 award
  • Mature applicants (23 by 1 January) assessed individually
  • Or 17+ with at least 2 years of relevant experience after Junior Cert
  • If oversubscribed, priority goes to access-priority groups (SUSI special rate grant, long-term means-tested social welfare)
  • Garda vetting may be required
  • Medical evaluation and vaccination screening required
  • To progress to ATU: full QQI Level 5 award with at least five distinctions, including Anatomy and Physiology and Nursing Theory and Practice or Care Support

How to apply

2027 application link not yet published – check the NTO page. Apply directly to the college, not through the CAO. Apply directly to GRETB Oughterard FET Centre (not through the CAO). No application link is given on the page.

Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Anatomy, physiology and nursing theory
  • Clinical skills and health promotion
  • Mental health needs, crisis care, self-harm and suicide prevention
  • Person-centred, recovery-focused care
  • Supervised clinical placements

Where it can lead

  • Registered psychiatric (mental health) nurse after joining the NMBI register
  • Work in the Irish health service
  • Work abroad as a psychiatric nurse

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Biology, Home Economics

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

This degree is also offered starting in

Apprenticeships in Health

Not sure which route suits you?

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Information from the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie), checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.