Sept 2025 Entry
5 years
116 (plus 41 clinical/field credits)
- Applicants should check with the professional bodies in their own countries for licensing requirements.
- Students will be awarded the following award upon successful completion of the graduation requirements:
- BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing
What's New
Programme Aims & Learning Outcomes
Our mission is to equip young people to take up professional careers in mental health nursing, one of the world’s most “caring” professions. This innovative academic programme develops students’ competence in delivering high-quality care, carrying out relevant research and making significant contributions to mental healthcare services.
Students develop skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, therapeutic communication and the management of change in mental health nursing. They also learn how to work both independently and with other healthcare professionals to provide high-quality mental healthcare in a range of contexts, from psychiatric clinical settings to community mental health services.
Programme Characteristics
PolyU was the first university in Hong Kong to provide a pre-registration degree programme in nursing. Our innovative approaches to learning and teaching enhance our students’ critical thinking and clinical decision making. This programme builds on our successful experience of conducting the psychiatric stream of the part-time Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing programme, which is accredited by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong.
Our modern facilities include nursing therapeutics laboratories, mental health nursing laboratories, the Yuen Yuen Institute Chinese Medicinal Nursing Laboratory, the Dorothy Wong Intensive Care Laboratory, the Centre for Smart Health, the Herbal Medicine Learning Centre, the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, and the Yuen Yuen Institute Learning Resources Centre.
In this programme, field practice is arranged in a variety of healthcare settings, including general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric rehabilitation units, community psychiatric nursing services, mental health out-reaching services and other community settings. We also offer a wide range of overseas student exchange opportunities.
Professional Recognition
The programme is accredited by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, and graduates are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Nurses (Psychiatric).
Career Prospects
Graduates are eligible to become Registered Nurses (Psychiatric) in Hong Kong. They can find employment in the Hospital Authority, government departments and non-government organisations.
Graduates can also find employment opportunities in various mental health settings, such as major psychiatric hospitals in Hong Kong, psychiatric units of general hospitals, and various rehabilitation sectors run by non-government organisations.
Graduates may also pursue further studies. They can pursue the Master of Science in Nursing programme or other postgraduate programmes offered by the School.
Graduates may also undertake research work or work overseas.
This is a 5-year full-time programme leading to registration with the Nursing Council of Hong Kong as a Registered Nurse (Psychiatric). The programme aims to equip students to become competent, creative, and caring practitioners of psychiatric/mental health nursing and to apply their creativity and critical thinking skills in the care of their clients.
The programme equips students to provide holistic care that encompasses safe, ethical, legal, and culturally sensitive nursing therapeutics provided to clients of all ages and their families in various mental healthcare settings, recognising their central role in managing mental healthcare. Students have opportunities to develop sensitivity through interactions with individuals, families, groups, communities, and other healthcare providers. Through their participation in the healthcare system, they are prepared to become key players in health promotion and care for psychiatric patients.
The programme curriculum is based on the Bio–Psycho–Social Model of Psychiatric Nursing Care and includes the following major content:
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In junior years, studies include health foundation subjects to enhance students’ understanding of the factors predisposing and precipitating stresses. Applied sciences and nursing arts subjects such as Public Health and Infection Control, Human Physiology, Sociology of Health, Introduction to Psychology, Human Anatomy, Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical and Surgical Nursing I, Communication Skills and Group Dynamics, Fundamentals of Nursing Therapeutics I & II, Abnormal Psychology and Mental Health Nursing Therapeutics I & II, Clinical Microbiology, and Fundamentals of Nursing Therapeutics in Chinese Medicine and Chinese Communication for Nursing are introduced in the first two years of study.
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In senior years, the programme broadens the focus from illness to health to develop nurses’ understanding of people and their experiences with health and recovery. Inherent in this orientation is the use of blended teaching methodologies, which encourage students to develop their critical thinking, enhance their self-awareness, and discover the world around them. Subjects such as Medical and Surgical Nursing II, Psychotherapeutic Practice, Quality and Patient Safety, Mental Health Nursing Therapeutics III & IV, Mental Health Education and Promotion, Neurobiological Basis in Mental Health, Ethical and Legal Aspects in Health Care, Mental Health Nursing Therapeutics in Community, Nursing Research and the Honours Project are introduced.
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In Year 5, the programme focuses on preparing students to take up the role of Registered Nurse. Subjects such as Psychotherapeutic Practice II and Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Health Care are offered.
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There is an emphasis throughout the programme on practical experience as the foundation for integrating psychiatric nursing theory into practice. Students are encouraged to be thoughtful and reflective in their nursing practice. Psychiatric/mental health nursing practice experience is essential. Students are directly involved with clients in their homes and in hospitals and community settings. This may involve working in shifts.
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A specific set of General University Requirement subjects, such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Leadership Education and Development, Healthy Lifestyle, Language and Communication, Service Learning, and broader subjects provide students with a comprehensive knowledge base for holistic professional learning.
Information on the subjects offered can be found here.
116 (plus 41 clinical/field credits)
Dr Sau Fong LEUNG
PhD (Syd.); MSc (HC) [PolyU (HK)]; BN (Syd.); Dip(PN) (H.K.G.H.S.P.N.); PRegDip(N) (HKPoly); RN (HK); RN (NSW); RN (UKCC); RNT (HK)
Please click here to view the entrance requirements for international applicants.
Other Information
- Preference is given to those who are competent in written English and Chinese, and in oral English and Cantonese. (Applicants for clinical placements are expected to communicate in Cantonese, including speaking and listening.)
- Students must pass a health check before clinical training.
For further programme information, please contact:
The General Office (tel: 2766 4369; fax: 2364 9663; email: sn.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk; website: sn.polyu.edu.hk).
Studying Mental Health Nursing in PolyU’s School of Nursing is a wonderful experience. The programme has given me many opportunities to learn, develop nursing competency, and explore career pathways as well as lifelong goals.
The five-year programme equips students with fundamental nursing and mental health knowledge. It covers areas such as psychology, human anatomy, physiology, public health, and infection control. The teaching of ethics, care-related concepts and communication skills prepares us to participate in healthcare communication and decision making with an empathetic heart and a caring disposition. In the senior years of my studies, I have learned more about mental illnesses, the progression of mental disorders, and the needs of patients, from the acute stage to the rehabilitation stage. The more I learn about the needs of patients on their journeys towards recovery, the more I want to use my knowledge and skills to help establish a therapeutic alliance to support patients in their recovery.
The School also offers us overseas learning opportunities. The overseas exchange programmes that I joined have broadened my horizon, prepared me to meet new challenges, increased my confidence, and developed my nursing competency for serving people with mental health needs from all walks of life.
Studying at PolyU is about more than getting the qualifications needed to become a registered nurse. It is about having a wonderful university life and personal growth. For those interested in biology and psychology, this five-year BSc (Honours) in Mental Health Nursing programme offers the chance to gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to health and mental care, and insights into nursing practice and mental health issues. The clinical placements give students opportunities to deepen their understanding of mental health illnesses, from minor mood disorders to severe psychiatric illnesses for children and the elderly, and to apply their communication skills while working with a multi-disciplinary healthcare team to provide nursing care in various settings.
During my studies, I joined various student societies and participated in some voluntary work. These activities enriched my knowledge and prepared me well to give care and support to others. Finally, I am grateful to my teachers and student academic advisors for giving me lots of support throughout the years of my study.
Required
Please input your public examination results, such as HKDSE, HKCEE, HKAL, IGCSE, GCEAL, etc., by subject under the "Public Examination" section to your online application.
To evaluate the potential and interest of applicants, and to assess their language, communication skills and understanding of the nursing discipline.
About 1 hour
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews.
Required
