Mental Health
Nursing
The pre-registration
BSc (Hons) degree
programme
The brighter choice for nursing
The course
We’re proud to be one of the top two universities in London for Mental
Health Nursing in the latest NHS Contract Performance Management
results. As a leading provider, we’re committed to delivering the
very highest standard of training and this degree offers you the best
possible start to a bright future career in nursing.
The Mental Health Nursing programme at LSBU is designed to equip
you with the skills and competencies to meet the challenges of
providing effective mental health care. Throughout the course, you will
gain practice experience in a wide range of in-patient and community
settings, reflecting the diversity of mental health specialisms. This
could include acute psychiatry, child and adolescent mental health,
forensic psychiatry, eating disorders, addictions and rehabilitation.
Brighter reasons to study with us
• No fees – tuition fees funded by the NHS
• Bursaries available (subject to eligibility)
• Top 20 in the UK for graduate starting salaries (Sunday Times University Guide 2012)
• One of London’s leading universities for graduate employment in
nursing (UniStats 2012)
• Placements at world-renowned hospitals and trusts
Our partner Trusts
Our professional partnerships provide our students with incredible
real-world learning experiences in some of Greater London’s most highly
regarded settings. We’re proud to partner with:
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT)
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Course modules
Year 1:
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Introduction to life sciences
Practice skills for nursing
Professional values, ethics and law
Social sciences and nursing
Theories and practice for mental health nursing
Interpersonal skills and therapeutic effectiveness
Year 2:
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Mental well-being and physical health
Public health and health policy
Research methods and use of evidence
Promoting well-being and recovery
Partnership working
Recovery in action – challenges for practice
Year 3:
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Politics of health
Leadership, management and supervision
Medication management
Advanced therapeutic effectiveness
Practice development in mental health
Working with challenging presentations
Placements
What our students say
Eucharia Mbonu
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
As a Mental Health Nursing student, you will spend approximately
50% of your course on practice placement, learning from qualified and
experienced practitioners. These exciting learning experiences will
prepare you to become a safe and proficient mental health nurse and
prepare you to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
For Southwark students, the majority of placements will be at South London and
Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, although some placements will be at Camden and
Islington NHS Foundation Trust.
For Havering students, placements will be at North East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Matthew Lazard
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
‘I had heard about LSBU from a couple of friends who
had studied at the University and they gave me such
good feedback about the Mental Health Nursing
course, I applied myself.
I’ve been on two placements so far and whilst on
placement I’ve been able to put the theories we learn
on paper into practice. It’s also a great opportunity to
work with qualified practitioners in the field and the
service users.
I’m looking forward to graduating and putting into
practice everything I’ve learnt to support society and
make a real difference.’
‘The lecturers on the course are fantastic and the
support you get is second to none. When I started the
course I was a little nervous about university, but then
I met the lecturers and was exposed to the course and
I just threw myself into the whole experience and
loved it.
Having graduated, I’m a more confident person and
I believe in myself more – the course has matured me
a lot. The skills and knowledge I’ve acquired in mental
health nursing have changed my life – they are skills I
will take with me throughout my career.
I’m currently working as a mental health nurse for
North East London Foundation Trust and it’s fantastic,
the best thing I’ve ever done.’
How to apply
Interviews and testing
All applications are made online via UCAS at ucas.com. When preparing
to apply, ensure you follow this checklist to enable you to submit a
comprehensive application and give you the best chance of success.
Entry criteria
Ensure you meet the following criteria:
✓260 UCAS points: [BCC at A Level from
minimum of two A Levels] (or equivalent)
plus 5 GCSEs/equivalent (C or above) to
include Maths and English; or
✓Access to HE Diploma in Nursing or similar
(45 credits Level 3 including 21 at merit
grade); or
✓Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
(or equivalent) with at least one year of
relevant work experience plus GCSE (C or
above) Maths and English or equivalent; or
✓Any recognised equivalent.
Starting your application
✓Do your research about mental health nursing
✓Go to ucas.com and start your application
✓The UCAS code for the BSc (Hons) Mental
Health Nursing is B760
✓The institution code for London South Bank
University is L75
Personal statement
✓Spend time preparing a comprehensive
personal statement – tell us about yourself
and what has influenced you to choose
mental health nursing as a career.
✓Discuss any personal qualities you
believe might support you in the role as a
professional nurse – draw on any relevant
experience you have.
✓Don’t underestimate yourself – consider
the challenges and learning you have
acquired from work experience or fulltime/part-time employment.
✓Remember, a well written personal
statement will support your application at
short listing.
✓For help on drafting a personal statement,
visit ucas.com/students/applying/
howtoapply/personalstatement
Completing the application
✓List all exams and courses you have
completed, regardless of the final result.
This gives an insight into your ability to
complete the task set.
✓Complete the employment section and
account for any gaps.
✓Be accurate when identifying the final
grades achieved.
✓Take time to read through your application
and ensure all spelling is correct.
As part of the selection process, you will be expected to undertake an online assessment
which identifies your attributes for nursing and gives you an indication of various scenarios
you might face. You will also be asked to complete an interview and a numeracy and
literacy test. Strong numeracy and literacy skills are essential for nursing students, and you
should undertake some prior revision. This will help boost your confidence and ensure you
know what to expect on the day.
Sample tests are available at lsbu.ac.uk/hsc/courses/interviews. If you have any problems
passing these sample tests, then you may need some extra help. There are a range of selfhelp aids available from most bookshops.
Interview checklist
✓Practise sample numeracy and literacy tests
✓Dress appropriately for the interview
✓Be clear and convincing about your choice of career during the interview
✓Reflect on your personal qualities and skills and what you have learnt from any
placement or work experience.
Don’t forget to practise sample numeracy and
literacy tests to increase your chance of success!
Make the brighter choice
and study Mental Health
Nursing at London South
Bank University.
Further information
Visit lsbu.ac.uk/studynursing for further
information and details of upcoming open days.
Contact: Course Enquiries
0800 923 88 88
course.enquiry@lsbu.ac.uk
Apply online at ucas.com