Level 5

Mental Health and Well-Being FdSc

Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
2 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2025
£8500 per year * Southend Campus
Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
2 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2025
£8500 per year * Southend Campus
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If you require any support with your UCAS application, please contact the HE Admissions team headmissions@southessex.ac.uk

Overview

Course Code: B760

The FdSc (Hons) Mental Health and Well-Being programmes will provide you with the opportunity to develop the theoretical knowledge, application and skills required to work effectively with individuals with a variety of complex mental health conditions and disorders. These qualifications will enable you to work in the NHS, private, voluntary or independent sectors, as well as within roles that promote well-being and positive behaviour change.

Each programme will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical skills workshops, group activities and independent research activities, enriched by a programme of guest speakers from different areas of mental health and well-being who will support students to recognize industry standards, and to apply theory to practice.

The FdSc Mental Health and Well-Being includes a mandatory practice learning element in Year 2 of the programme. This is designed to enable and support students to apply the theoretical and conceptual components of the programme to practice within an appropriate workplace setting (such as mental health charities, for example MIND, the Samaritans), community mental health services, health and care settings). Students will be required to reflect upon their professional practice, and identify how they can develop and enhance this within their individual workplace.

There is a dedicated Practice Learning team to support students with the placement process.

Please Note:

On successful completion of this foundation degree (FdSc).

Entry Requirements

You will need 64 UCAS Tariff Points or above from one or more of the following:

  • A levels
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate
  • BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (minimum 30 credits at Merit or above)
  • GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills.

This list is not exhaustive, other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work, personal statement and reference.

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, personal statement and reference.

Exceptional Entry

Applicants wishing to be considered for entry to the second or third year of study, or wishing to import credits or evidence of prior learning into the course for which they are applying, will be considered in accordance with the awarding bodies policy on Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)

Successful applicants for this programme may require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing practice placement in Year 2. DBS identification documents are verified by trained staff in line with DBS guidelines as part of the admissions process.

The administration charge for this service will be incorporated into the course fees.

Important:

Disclosure and Barring checks cannot be carried out for applicants who are not or have never been resident in the UK. Applicants who reside or previously have resided overseas will be required to provide a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their country or countries of residence prior to entry on to the course.

Course Structure

Year one modules (Level 4)

  • Perspectives in Mental Health
  • Health and Wellbeing in Children and Young People
  • Health and Wellbeing in Adults and Older People
  • Introduction to Mental Health Law and Policy
  • Developing Work Related Skills
  • Introduction to Health and Wellbeing

Year two modules (Level 5)

  • Difference and Diversity in Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Mental Health Policy, Promotion, Provision, and Practice
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research for Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Behaviour Change for Health
  • Psychology of Mental Health and Mental Disorders
  • Practice Learning 1

 

Assessment & Feedback

Contact hours: 13 hours per week. Plus independent study (suggested 30 hours per week).

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of independent learning.  

A range of appropriate facilities including the library and online learning resources the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum supports your independent learning.

You will receive on-going feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers. You will also receive summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback. 

Feedback on the Final Major Project/Dissertation module in Year three is provided throughout and through supervision meetings as scheduled.

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £8500 per year

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

Additional course costs:

  • Students will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check for the purposes of their practice learning activities in Years 2 and 3 of the programme.

Additional course costs can be found here

What Next...

It is anticipated that graduates of the FdSc Mental Health and Well-Being will progress to a range of careers in the mental health and well-being sectors such as health and social care settings, NHS services, well-being organisations, local council public health departments, teaching and pastoral services within education settings, residential and care homes, social services for children, families or adults, HR departments.