Brandon University's four-year Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing is offered in Brandon and Winnipeg. Students first complete Pre-Psychiatric Nursing courses, then apply separately for admission to Year 2. Selection uses the required-course GPA and Casper score, subject to published eligibility and document requirements.
- Program
- Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BScPN)
- Credential
- BScPN
- Location
- Brandon and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Casper
- Required · CSP-10202
- Next deadline
- April 1, 2027 (International Pre-Psychiatric Nursing application and documents, either campus)
- Seats
- Year 2 capacity: 35 Brandon; 60 Winnipeg.
- Length
- four-year
Casper Requirement for Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing
Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Undergraduate Health Sciences Casper · CSP-10202
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- Brandon University student identification number
Upcoming Casper test dates
- February 21, 2027 at 10:00 AM EST
- March 2, 2027 at 8:00 PM EST
- March 18, 2027 at 6:00 PM EST
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Register using your Brandon University student identification number and select the appropriate program for score distribution. The distribution deadline has not been published on the program's Casper page.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Brandon University online admissions application for Pre-Psychiatric Nursing; site-specific 69:007 Program Admission Moodle page for BScPN Year 2
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Application fee
- University admissions application: CAD $80 domestic or CAD $140 international; non-refundable. Fee is subject to change.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| International Pre-Psychiatric Nursing application and documents, either campus | April 1, 2027upcoming |
| BScPN Year 2 application and required documents | May 1, 2027upcoming |
| Domestic Pre-Psychiatric Nursing application and documents, Winnipeg | June 14, 2027upcoming |
| Domestic Pre-Psychiatric Nursing application and documents, Brandon | August 15, 2027upcoming |
Apply to Brandon University for the Pre-Psychiatric Nursing year, then apply separately to BScPN Year 2 after completing its required courses. Submit the Year 2 form through the campus-specific Program Admission Moodle page.
Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing Admissions Statistics
Period: Published Year 2 seat capacity
- Seats / class size: Year 2 capacity: 35 Brandon; 60 Winnipeg.
Eligibility Requirements for Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing
- Degree / credits
Meet Brandon University requirements to enter Pre-Psychiatric Nursing. Complete its 30 required credit hours before applying to BScPN Year 2; each required course needs at least C and the admission GPA must be at least 2.5.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency under the Faculty of Health Studies policy.
Admission pathways
- Designated admission categories: A proportion of BScPN seats is reserved for Indigenous Health Studies Transition graduates, applicants of Indigenous ancestry and People of Colour. At the Brandon site, two Year 2 seats are allocated for students progressing through the Indigenous admission category.
Grade 12 English is required. Biology 40S and Math 40S Pre-Calculus or Applied are recommended because they are prerequisites for required university courses.
Other requirements
- Year 2 application: Submit the completed BScPN form through the site-specific 69:007 Program Admission Moodle page.
- Age and Indigenous learning: Be at least 18 by the Year 2 application deadline; complete an approved university-level Indigenous course or a listed approved alternative.
- Record checks: Submit Manitoba child and adult abuse registry checks and a criminal record check with vulnerable sector check; each must be within six months. Third-party criminal record checks are not accepted.
- Immunization: Submit the Brandon University Immunization Record; two hepatitis B doses are due with the application, with the third dose and antibody testing arranged with the advisor.
Selection Factors Brandon University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology I and II (15.171, 15.172) | 6 credit hours; C or higher |
| Introduction to Psychology I and II (82.160, 82.161) | 6 credit hours; C or higher |
| Introduction to Sociology (90.154) | 3 credit hours; C or higher |
| Sociology elective (90.XXX) | 3 credit hours; C or higher |
| Health Promotion: Developmental Transitions Throughout the Lifespan (69.151) | 3 credit hours; C or higher |
| Fundamentals of Psychiatric Nursing Practice I (69.152) | 3 credit hours; C or higher |
| Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (69.161) | 3 credit hours; C or higher |
| Statistics or research methods (62.171, 82.250 or 90.294) | 3 credit hours; C or higher Choose one. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Admission GPA uses required Pre-Psychiatric Nursing courses. For a repeated course, the most recent attempt of the first two completed attempts is used.
- Minimum
- At least C in each required Pre-Psychiatric Nursing course and an admission GPA of at least 2.5; an overall 2.5 GPA in the degree line is required to graduate.
Admissions tests
- IELTS Academic (required for some applicants): If English is not your first language: overall 7.0 or higher; writing and reading at least 6.5 each; speaking and listening at least 7.0 each. Official results must reach the Faculty directly from the testing company by the Year 2 application deadline; results are valid for two years.
Experience and volunteer hours
Build extracurriculars through student groups to demonstrate commitment. Engage early by joining psychiatric nursing associations to enhance your resume and community ties.
Supplementary application
A letter of intent is required for the BN/BScPN application. Describe your interests and reasons for choosing nursing; there is no word limit, but concise scholarly writing is evaluated.
How applicants are ranked
Year 2 applicants are ranked on Pre-Psychiatric Nursing GPA (70%) and Casper (30%), subject to seat limits and designated equity admission categories. The Strategic Enrollment Management Committee forwards approved applicants to the Faculty Dean for the final decision.
Interview Format at Brandon University
The published Year 2 admissions criteria specify GPA and Casper; an interview format is not specified.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing
- Program length
- four-year
- Structure
Housed in the Faculty of Health Studies. Integrates psychiatric nursing courses (69- prefix) with Arts and Science prerequisites. Year I focuses on prerequisites, followed by clinical psychiatric nursing integration. Post-Year I admission, the curriculum advances to competency-based psychiatric care training, often via distance delivery for specialized content while completing general courses at the University of Winnipeg.
- Campuses
- Brandon, Winnipeg
Students must maintain a C (2.0) or better in all 69- courses and a 2.5 overall GPA in the degree. After admission to Year II, students advance with a 2.0 minimum in prior courses, maintaining 2.5 GPA overall while completing the four-year degree. Review the full course sequence on the Brandon University website to map your timeline. A senior student with a 3.7 GPA and research experience highlights the program's flexibility for future medical school pursuits.
Campus and facilities
The BScPN is offered at Brandon University's main campus in Brandon and satellite campus in Winnipeg; the Winnipeg offering is in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students report GPAs around 3.7 as sufficient for strong positioning, especially with research experience. Students report a supportive culture and a small, friendly environment. A senior student with a 3.7 GPA and research experience highlights the program's flexibility for future medical school pursuits. Matriculated students describe a structured progression: Year I focuses on prerequisites, followed by clinical psychiatric nursing integration.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing Application
- Plan the required Pre-Psychiatric Nursing courses and aim for at least C in each and a 2.5 admission GPA.
- Prepare a concise, scholarly letter of intent explaining your interest in nursing.
- Arrange the required registry and vulnerable-sector checks within the permitted six-month window.
- Complete the Indigenous learning requirement and immunization record.
- Book the required Casper test using your Brandon University student identification number.
- If English is not your first language, arrange official IELTS Academic results.
- Submit the appropriate campus-specific Year 2 application through Moodle.
More About Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing
- Collaboration
University of Winnipeg
- Faculty
Faculty of Health Studies
- Course prefix
Psychiatric nursing courses use the 69- prefix
Frequently Asked Questions About Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing
Does Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing require Casper?
Yes. Casper counts for 30% of Year 2 selection; use your Brandon University student identification number to register.
What is the minimum GPA for Brandon University BScPN?
Year 2 requires at least C in every required Pre-Psychiatric Nursing course and an admission GPA of at least 2.5.
Is there an interview for Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing?
The published Year 2 selection criteria specify GPA and Casper; they do not specify an interview format.
How competitive is Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing admissions?
BU publishes Year 2 capacities of 35 seats in Brandon and 60 in Winnipeg, but no competitive GPA cutoff in its cited admissions criteria.
Where is the Brandon University BScPN program located?
The BScPN has campuses in Brandon and Winnipeg; the Winnipeg offering is in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg.
What are the Casper test dates?
Consult the Casper test-dates list for the published future sittings and their times.
Can I complete prerequisites remotely for Brandon University Psychiatric Nursing?
Confirm course location and delivery with a BScPN advisor when planning your required courses.
What happens after admission to Brandon University BScPN Year II?
After completing the Pre-Psychiatric Nursing year, eligible students apply separately for admission to Year 2.
Sources
- brandonu.ca: bscpn
- brandonu.ca: psych nursing
- brandonu.ca: admission to b sc p n program
- brandonu.ca: grade requirements
- brandonu.ca: admission to the b n program
- brandonu.ca: Admissions Policy May 13 2025
- brandonu.ca: BScPN Admissions Policy revised Dec 2 2013
- brandonu.ca: DPN Student Handbook 2022 2023
- brandonu.ca: Student Handbook Revised Curriculum 2025 2026 FINAL
- brandonu.ca: bscpn degree planning guide
- brandonu.ca: application help guide
- brandonu.ca: forms
- brandonu.ca: Acuity Insights Assessment information for BU Psychiatric Nursing
Last updated: September 26, 2026