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Essentials tasks to do before you start

1. Request a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check 

While studying on an MPharm course you will come into close contact with potentially vulnerable people or at least learn about their personal circumstances, so the university must ensure that their students have a proven record of good conduct and character before undertaking these types of activities. 

What is a DBS check?

A DBS check (previously known as a CRB check) is a means of supplying organisations with the information they legally need to enable them to make correct recruitment and placement decisions, especially regarding positions involving children and vulnerable adults. 

DBS offers employers access to the records of potential employees and volunteers. The DBS acts as a third party to verify and report on the criminal records of the person in question. Once the search is complete a DBS check certificate is issued for the individual. To find out more, please visit the UK government website.

How to apply for a DBS check

The University of Nottingham uses an online third-party service to order DBS checks called; Know Your People. 

What is the cost of a DBS check? 

Current charges at the time of writing :  

• Where ID is verified at UoN: £45.52  
• If a check is verified at a post office there’s an additional fee of £8.22. Therefore, the total cost is: £53.74  

 

Step 1 - Activate your Know Your People account  

Your school will set you up as an applicant on the Know Your People system.

You will receive an email from them asking you to register on the system:

• Please click on the link in the email to activate your account.  
• After following the link, you will be asked to confirm your username, which will be your University of Nottingham email address and you will then need to create a password.
• Once you have completed these screens, your account will be activated. You will be asked to log in again using your username and password. You will now be able to complete the DBS application form.  

 

Step 2 – Complete your DBS application form

You will need the following information (where applicable) to hand in order to complete your application:  

• Dates of any name changes (mm/yyyy)
• Mother’s maiden name
• Full 5-year address history including dates 
• National Insurance Number
• Passport or driving licence

To confirm your personal details, you are required by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to provide a minimum of three identity documents.

You will need at least one document which contains your current address, one document which confirms your Date of Birth and one document which provides your name and any name changes (if applicable).  At least one of which should be less than three months old and display your current address. Please visit the links below for more advice:

• UK Government information about DBS checks
• Guidance about applying for a DBS check if you have lived outside of the UK

 

Step 3 – Identify verification 

Once you have submitted your application you will need to have your ID documents verified. How your documents are verified will be decided in advance. You will be instructed to visit a Post Office or Student Service Centre at the university.

If you are an international student, you will have your ID documents verified at a Student Service Centre. Please find the locations of our Student Service Centres.  You will do when you arrive on campus in September 2024.

 

Step 4 – DBS Certificate 

You will be notified by email about the outcome of your DBS, and your school with check this outcome online. The original paper copy will be posted to your home address you used on your application. In most circumstances, you do not need to submit your DBS certificate to the university, however, if there is anything recorded on your certificate, we will need to ask to see the original.  

 

Step 5 – DBS Update Service 

It is strongly recommended that you join the DBS Update Service. The DBS Update Service allows applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date and for employers to check a DBS record.  If you choose to register the certificate on the DBS Update Service, you will need the original hard copy as and when your DBS status is checked on the Update Service. 

Please see the DBS Update Service for further information. Membership of the Update Service costs £13 per year.

 

2. Complete the pre-placement occupational health questionnaire 

Fitness to Practice Policy

It is essential that you complete an Occupational Health check as a priority and read the School of Pharmacy Fitness to Practice Policy.

Before you start your course, we need to be aware of any personal circumstances that may affect your ability to study and further progression to being a health professional. All information will be confidentially assessed to make sure you are medically suitable for your course, and where possible all reasonable support will be provided. Completion of the occupational health check is a mandatory requirement of the course. Failure to complete the occupational health check means you will be unable to continue on the course.

Complete the online health questionnaire as soon as you are notified to do so. Do not leave the questionnaire until the deadline and make sure that you check your email (including junk folder) and voicemail messages regularly. Please bear in mind that the clearance process can take several weeks so please ensure you respond to any messages from Optima Health quickly and attend all booked appointments to avoid unnecessary delays.

Ensure that you have located all your vaccination records ready for the immunisation clinics. It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete all occupational health procedures by the required deadlines. 

If you have any questions about your Occupational Health Check you can contact Optima Health as follows:

+44 (0)1327 810777
cs-e@tphealth.co.uk

 

3. Ensure vaccination requirements are met 

Evidence of vaccinations must clearly state your name, date of birth and date of vaccination or blood test.

If you were born outside the UK, you will be expected to produce documentation of vaccination or a serology blood test confirming immunity.

A verbal history of infection will not be accepted. All evidence will be reviewed by Optima Health during your Occupational Health Check with them. Where it is deemed necessary by occupational health for students to have vaccinations, the School of Pharmacy will cover the cost of these. 

The university's vaccination requirements for pharmacy courses are as follows:

• Documentary evidence of two MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations or a serology blood test confirming immunity.
• Documentary evidence of BCG vaccination (Tuberculosis) or evidence of a BCG scar.
• Documentary evidence of two Varicella vaccinations or a definite history of previous infection or a serology blood test confirming immunity.
• Documentary evidence of two Hepatitis B doses and/or evidence of serology blood test confirming immunity.
• We strongly encourage new students get vaccinated against Covid-19 before starting on campus. Read more about the vaccine, how to book and NHS England FAQs.

 

MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B and BCG (Tuberculosis) vaccine information for occupational health clearance

MMR: Most people will have obtained two MMR vaccines as part of their childhood immunisations. Please provide evidence of these vaccines OR obtain any outstanding MMR vaccinations from your General Practitioner (GP). These vaccinations are free. 

Varicella: If you were born in the UK and contracted chickenpox during childhood, you will not be required to obtain two Varicella vaccinations as immunity would have already been achieved. Please note it does need to be a definite history, if you are unsure, please contact your GP. If you were born outside the UK, you will require a blood test indicating you are immune to chickenpox. If you are not immune, you will require two vaccinations of the chickenpox vaccine. 

BCG (Tuberculosis): We will be looking for evidence of a BCG scar (likely to be on your left upper arm) or evidence from your GP that you have had the BCG vaccination. All students will be required to complete a TB symptom checker form at the clinic. This form will help us to identify which students may require a QuantFERON blood test. 

If you do not have a BCG scar, we will arrange for you to have either a Mantoux skin test or a IGRA blood test. If you have recently moved to the UK from a country with high rates of TB or have signs and symptoms of TB, we will arrange a QuantFERON test to check for infection. The results of the tests will help us decide if you need to have a BCG vaccination. 

Hepatitis B: We will require evidence of a full course of Hepatitis B vaccination and the immune response blood test.

 

4. Pre-order your lab coat and tunic by 2 September 2024

 

Order your laboratory coat and tunic  

 

Professional dress code

Please ensure that you arrive at university with clothing appropriate for placements and professional classes

Clothing	Footwear: smart shoes in black or brown with sensible heels and dark coloured sole. Flat, comfortable shoes are advised. Strictly no trainers, suede, or open-toed footwear (e.g. sandals and flip-flops) No low-cut necklines Trousers and skirts: smart and appropriate length (no jeans, short skirts, or shorts) Bare below the elbows: short sleeves or rolled up long sleeves in clinical areas (see below)
Jewellery	No jewellery below the elbow Rings: no rings other than a plain wedding band should be worn Watches: no wrist watches to be worn in clinical areas Earrings: one pair of plain ear studs only No other visible jewellery should be worn (this includes face piercings such as the nose)
Name badges	Pharmacy student name badges must be worn and visible at all times during placements. Student university ID cards should be carried and presented if requested.
Hair and nails	Hair that falls to the collar or below should be tied up Minimal hair ornamentation may be used Nail varnish and artificial nails are not permitted Nails should be clean and short
Tattoos	Inappropriate tattoos i.e any tattoo with offensive language must be always covered. It is acknowledged that some religions/cultures use henna to decorate their bodies at certain times and this is acceptable.
Perfume/aftershave	If worn, this should be discreet

 

Dress code for placements with 'bare below the elbows'

The pharmacy course includes compulsory clinical placements across a range of settings; these are a mandatory component for completion of the course. While on a placement, you must adhere to the dress code policy of the relevant placement provider. This also includes following the Infection Control and uniform policies.

These require all staff and students working in clinical areas to be ‘bare below the elbows. This means:

• rolling up of long sleeves
• securing or removing lose items of clothing such as neck ties or scarves
• removal of wristwatches, bracelets, and stoned rings (a plain wedding band is allowed)

Each provider has considered religious needs, and every attempt has been made to accommodate these, subject to compliance with health and safety requirements, the minimisation of health and safety risks, and patient safety.

The school's full Infection Control Policy is available here.

If you have specific cultural dress requirements (for example not showing bare skin above the wrist in a public place) or feel unable to comply with ‘bare below the elbows’ policy, you must discuss your needs with the admissions tutor in advance of enrolling on the course.

 

Additional dress code information for professional classes

Wrist watches are permitted for time management. Some of these classes include formal assessments. In line with university examination policy smart watches (e.g. Apple Watches) are not permitted.

 

Additional course costs 

Apart from your tuition fees, you may have to pay for some additional course costs that are not included in your tuition fees.