BSc (Hons) MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

Overview

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
ModeFull-time	Duration3 years	Start dateSeptember	Application codeB760	Application method UCAS
ModeFull-time	Duration4 years	Start dateSeptember	Application codeB76F	Application method UCAS

Home/EU applicants

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
Mode Full-time	Duration 3 years	Start date September	Application code B760	Application method UCAS
Mode Full-time	Duration 4 years	Start date September	Application code B76F	Application method UCAS

Choose your campus

On your UCAS application for an Mental Health Nursing course you will need to choose which LSBU campus you wish to study at: Southwark, Havering or Croydon.

LSBU is located in Elephant & Castle, the heart of London with access to everything the city has to offer. We are proud to partner 60+ NHS organisations across all five London NHS regions (and beyond). To study at our Southwark campus please put an S on your UCAS application.

Our Havering Campus is friendly, warm and welcoming and serves our NHS partners in Essex and East London. To study on Havering campus please put an H on your UCAS application.

LSBU Croydon is our newest campus, having opened in 2021 with a mission to transform lives and communities. With brand new state of the art facilities and placements across Croydon, we aim to help tackle the NHS shortage of nurses across the area. To study at LSBU Croydon please put a C on your UCAS application.

Please send your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using our institution code L75. UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

See our How to apply page for further details.

Interview

As part of the selection process you'll be expected to attend an MMI interview. Find out more.

Personal statement

See our top tips for writing your personal statement.

Results

If you are unsuccessful in your application to LSBU for this year you cannot apply through UCAS Extra or Clearing. However you can apply for the following year.  It is important that you read the comments in the results statement so that you are prepared for any other interviews you may have.

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Prepare to start

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

All pre-registration students need to be DBS cleared before going on placement. You’ll need to have an enhanced DBS check even if you have had one before and will not be able to go on placement until this is complete.

The DBS process is not difficult but can take some time so it's best to get started as soon as you receive your email. You will receive the email during Summer 2023.

DBS update service

If you're part of the DBS update service, your subscription is up to date and you already have a DBS certificate, please bring in your original green DBS certificate for the document check. To take advantage of the update service, your certificate needs to be classified as 'Enhanced' and workforce must be listed as 'Adult and Child'. If you have any queries, please email us at hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.

How to complete your DBS

Our DBS supplier, Verifile, will send you an email with all the details you need to complete your DBS.

Verifile will give you instructions to log into their system and complete your personal details and information. To complete the process, you'll need your passport or driving licence and 5-year address history including dates when you moved in/out.

You can use your application number to track the progress of your DBS.

When you've finished, your Disclosure Statement will be mailed to the most recent address in your submission, so please make sure it's correct. We don't automatically receive a copy of this Statement, which is why we need you to bring it in as part of the next step.

Frequently asked questions

My Social Work friends said they need to pay. Do I need to pay?

Only Social Work applicants need to pay for their DBS. It costs £46 and can be purchased on our online store.

What do I need to declare on my DBS?

Please include any and all major and minor, spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warning and reprimands, even if they relate to juvenile offences or seem trivial or unimportant. Some minor offences will not prevent you from going on placement or being offered a place on your course, but still need to be reviewed so it’s best to be honest and include everything. Also, the more information you include about any offences can help reduce the time it takes to assess them.

I’ve applied for/had a DBS in past. Do I need to do it again?

Yes, you do. You need to have an up-to-date DBS. Once you have received the email from our DBS supplier make sure you start the process straight away. All details of how to do this will be outlined in the email. If you don’t complete your DBS in the timeframe given, we may withdraw your offer even if term has already started. So it’s important that you get started as soon as you receive the email.

Why do I need an enhanced DBS check?

Government legislation requires all Higher Education Institutions who offer courses where students may come into unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults to have this check. These checks also help us to ensure duty of care to our students, and create a safer environment for patients seen by our students.

Who reviews my DBS?

As part of the University’s admissions process, declarations of any offence may be referred to a virtual panel made up of senior managers from partner NHS Trusts and/or other sectors within Health and Social Care. Any DBS that is considered by the panel will be anonymised. The panel members then deliberate and make a recommendation whether the application be rejected, accepted or request further information or documents.

When will I hear back from the panel about my DBS?

If you have declared an offence, we might ask for more information from you in writing which will help the panel make a decision. Once your declaration has been referred to the panel it can take up to 28 working days to be processed.

Which address do I use?

You need to put your current address on your DBS application because this is where your Statement will be mailed. If you’ve moved house between submitting and receiving your DBS, make sure you have mail forwarding set up so that you’ll receive your statement. If you’ve moved recently, make sure you have proof of your new address (such as a new bank statement) to bring for your document checks.

I’ve lost my statement. What do I do?

If you’ve lost your statement you will need to pay £46 to purchase a new one.

I’ve had my application rejected due to my DBS declaration/disclosure. Can I appeal the decision?

Yes. If your application has been rejected due to your DSB declaration/discloser, you will be sent a letter to confirm this. There will be instructions in the letter about how you can appeal and which supporting information you need to provide. Once a decision has been made you will receive a letter from the School Executive Team.

Document check

Once you have completed the online part of the DBS process, you will need to produce three accepted documents from this list (PDF File 248 KB) to be verified.

Document check on campus

Southwark: Southwark Student Help Desk in the K2 building Monday – Friday between 9am-11am or 1pm-4pm

Havering: come to reception at Havering Monday – Friday between 8:30-10:30am, 12-2pm, 4-5pm

Document check at the Post Office

If you’re not able to come to campus, you can get your documents checked and certified at the Post Office for a fee of £10.50. To do this, make photocopies of your three accepted ID documents and take your DBS form, copies and originals of your documents to the Post Office. The Post Office will stamp the form and photocopies and given them back to you. Email your post office receipt, stamped form and stamped documents to hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.

Occupational Health (OH)

An exciting part of many of our Health and Social Care courses is the opportunity to learn off-campus and work with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.

Questionnaire

Once you have enrolled, students will be asked to complete an occupational health check, the first part is completing an online questionnaire sent from our occupational health provider.

GP appointment

The second part of your occupational health check is to get any inoculations that you may need from your GP. When attending your GP appointment, please take printed copies of these two documents with you.

Vaccination Screening Advisory Letter (PDF File 126 KB)
GP Vaccination and Screening History (PDF File 117 KB)

Occupational Health appointment

After these steps are complete you will receive an email from OHWorks Ltd inviting you to attend an appointment on-campus with an Occupational Health Nurse. These appointments take place during the week and sometimes when your classes have already started.

The OH team have prepared this guide (PDF File 588 KB) which outlines what to expect at each stage. If you have queries or concerns about your Occupational Health clearance or inoculations please contact the Occupational Health team.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be double vaccinated?

Yes - government legislation advises that everyone must be double vaccinated to work in a health care setting with effect from 1 April 2022.

My local GP doesn’t have my vaccination history. What should I do?

Contact the OH team at lsbu@ohworks.co.uk who will be able to advise you.

What if I can’t make my OH appointment?

Please contact the OH team to reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. Remember that you won’t be able to go on placement until you’re cleared.

I’ve already registered with LSBU’s Disability and Dyslexia Support Unit (DDS). Do I still need to tell the OH Nurse about my condition?

Yes. Tell the OH Nurse about all conditions including specific learning difficulties even if you’ve declared these in the past. This will allow us to make reasonable adjustments whilst you’re on placement.

If I’ve declared a condition to the OH Nurse, do I need to register with LSBU’s Disability and Dyslexia Support Unit as well?

The information you share with the OH Nurse will be treated with confidence, meaning that it won’t be automatically shared with the DDS team. The DDS team can help you to receive support for your lectures, assignments and exams so it’s worth to register with them and provide evidence of your condition if you need this support.

Numeracy practice

Before starting your course, you may want to check or practice your numeracy skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that helps you learn, revise and quiz your essential numeracy skills. You’ll also be able to get a certificate to show your efforts.

Enrolment and Welcome Week

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our new students pages.

Uniforms

Most placements and some practical sessions in our skills laboratories will require you to wear a uniform and name badge. You will be measured for uniforms specific to your course as part of your Welcome Week activities after enrolment. In the meantime, we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions that you might find useful.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a uniform for when I go on placement?

Yes, LSBU will supply you with uniforms for your placement with the exception of Social Work and Health and Social Care BSc students who are not required to wear uniforms for their placements.

Which uniforms will I receive?

Nursing and midwifery students will receive two pairs of trousers, three tunics and a name badge. Polo shirts will be issued instead of tunics for students studying mental health nursing, physiotherapy, chiropractic and sport rehabilitation. ODP students will receive one set of scrubs top and trousers.

How long do the uniforms need to last?

The items are to last for the duration of your programme of study.

How do I know what size I am?

A measuring and distribution service will be available by the uniform provider at both Southwark and Havering campuses. As garments are fitted for work purposes they need to allow for flexibility of movement so it’s best to have the uniform provider measure you up.

Am I able to request a longer tunic?

You can request a longer tunic for religious or medical reasons. To do this, you should advise the uniform supplier at the measuring session. These tunics are 2 inches longer and sleeves finish just above the elbows. Due to infection control, full length sleeves are not permitted.

Can I use a preferred name or a nickname on my name badge?

Name badges are professional and need to include your formal names.

What do I do if I lose or damage my name badge?

You can order a replacement name badge direct with the uniform provider. Badges need to be worn at all times when you are at placement.

Can I order more uniforms?

You are welcome to purchase additional items at Work in Style. You will need to log in using your student ID and then follow the step-by-step instruction. Please note that dresses are not available.

Can I try on my uniforms?

You should try on your uniforms the day you receive them so that the staff at the measuring service can help arrange any size exchanges. If you choose not to try on your uniforms and require different sizes at a later date you will need to purchase these through the uniform provider’s online portal at your own cost.

What do I do with my uniform after I complete my studies?

They are yours to keep – you do not need to return the garments.

Practice placements

Most health and social care courses’ practice placements will operate outside normal working hours e.g. evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Holidays

Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course.

During the course, you’ll gain practice experience in a wide range of in-patient and community settings, reflecting the diversity of mental health specialities. This might include subjects such as acute psychiatry, child and adolescent mental health, forensic psychiatry, eating disorders, addictions and rehabilitation.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Assessing needs and planning care in Mental Health Nursing
  This module will introduce students to the values, frameworks and skills that underpin mental health nursing. The module focuses on different methods and frameworks for engaging in holistic assessment underpinned by evidence-based practice. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice.
• Biosciences for nursing
  This module provides understanding of the structure and function of main body’s systems and how the human body maintains homeostasis. The content of this module has been selected and developed to equip student nurses with the necessary knowledge to inform their nursing practice and provide and for progression throughout the programme. This knowledge will enable students to go on to develop an understanding of pathophysiological processes and the fundamentals of pharmacology. Students are supported in their learning with extensive use of teaching strategies such as key-lectures, workbooks and e-learning.
• Introducing evidence-based practice for nursing
  This module introduces the nature of evidence in health and social care and the importance of evidence-based practice for patients and their families and their safety and quality of experience. Students will develop skills in accessing evidence, gain familiarity with the library, including the use of electronic databases and learn how to use the University’s referencing system for their material. Students will learn key terms relating to research and evidence-based practice and be introduced to an evidence-based practice model. The module also sets out the context for the conduct of health and social care research, including funding and ethical aspects.
• Communication for nursing
  The focus of this module is on interprofessional working to promote patient safety. Nurses need to learn how communication can influence practice as well as therapeutic relationships and how to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice to improve patient safety. It will identify the need for a range of alternative communication techniques to effectively manage, maintain and promote safe care.

Year 2

• Providing care in Mental Health Nursing
  This module builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills and extends these for application to more complex scenarios in mental health nursing. The module focuses on the collaborative planning and delivery of holistic care. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to think more critically about and carry out more complex nursing skills across the four fields of nursing utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice.
• Applied physiology for Mental Health Nursing
  This module will extend and deepen students’ understanding of human physiology, which will then be applied to physiological changes that take place during mental ill health, and physical health conditions commonly associated with mental ill health. Knowledge of cell receptors and some receptor groups will be linked to physiological activity in different systems then linked to the effects of certain drugs and the changes they elicit within body systems.
• Appraising evidence for practice
  This module considers how research questions are generated from practice with application to nursing. The steps in conducting research and audit and the main research methods in health and social care are explained and associated ethical aspects are discussed. Methods of analysing and presenting different types of research data are introduced. The rationale for appraising research is considered and critical appraisal tools are reviewed. The module equips nurses with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice.
• Promoting health and preventing ill health
  This module introduces public health concepts and contemporary public health issues, the principles of which can then be applied at an individual and population level and within a local, national and global context. This module of study is aligned to the NMC Standard Platform 2, Promoting health and preventing ill health (NMC (2018) Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses).
• Safe and effective practice
  This module aims for students to reflect on their professional identity and to develop an understanding of multidisciplinary roles within teams. It will advance students’ knowledge in relation to interprofessional working and the skills needed to work in diverse teams such as teamwork, work environment, stress and fatigue and reflective practice. The focus of the module is on collaborative team practice from a service user perspective. It will link professional practice to theory through experimental learning.
• Mother and new-born
  This virtual learning module introduces the student to the nature of normal childbirth and neonatal care. It explores the concepts of antenatal care, childbirth and postnatal care and the role of the midwife in the delivery of woman centred care. Utilising a variety of on line resources, students will share knowledge gained with their peers on labour, infant feeding and maternal care. This module ensures compliance with European Union Directive 2005/36/EC.

Year 3

• Enhancing and evaluating care in Mental Health Nursing
  The module develops students’ abilities to utilise clinical reasoning to respond to and manage unfamiliar and complex scenarios in mental health nursing, to evaluate care that is provided and to develop the skills of other members of the team. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice.
• Pharmacology and prescribing ready for Mental Health Nursing
  This module provides the essential knowledge and details required for a solid understanding of pharmacology: how the drugs work and their effects, why side effects occur, and how the drugs are used clinically. In addition, a prescriber must also understand how differences in individuals and populations may alter this effect. This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills to prescribe appropriately and safely administer medications in particular to people who have an impaired understanding of their own health and wellbeing.
• Implementing best practice
  This module brings together all the learning from the two previous evidence-based practice modules undertaken in years one and two. It involves the implementation of available research into practice. The module equips the potential graduate nurse with the core skills and understanding to be able to implement appropriate evidence, utilise, and evaluate in practice. It helps the student to learn how to translate evidence into practice.
• Complex and critical mental health care
  Students in this module will develop their knowledge of the complex care needs of people with critical mental health issues, and the longer-term implications of living with comorbidities. Early intervention and health promotion will be re-considered as a mechanism for sustaining mental wellbeing across the life course. Students will develop their understanding of evidence - based interventions and practice strategies for managing the impact of crisis and traumatic life events on the individual.
• Transition to leadership
  This module will develop and build effective leadership skills in a complex and multidimensional health care setting. It will explore theoretical models of leadership, quality improvement and patient safety and provide an opportunity to explore how these concepts interrelate and impact on the delivery of care and prepare the students for their final clinical placement.

Facilities

Counselling and Communication Suite

Our counselling and communication suite is the ideal place for Mental Health and Learning Disability students to role play realistic work-based scenarios. It contains two adjoining rooms with a one-way window and audio link, that allows students to practice one-to-one situations with 'clients' while they are monitored by teaching staff in the adjoining room.

Facilities

Counselling and Communication Suite

Our counselling and communication suite is the ideal place for Mental Health and Learning Disability students to role play realistic work-based scenarios. It contains two adjoining rooms with a one-way window and audio link, that allows students to practice one-to-one situations with 'clients' while they are monitored by teaching staff in the adjoining room.