Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
A nurse attending a patient who is using a desktop computer.

Learning disabilities nursing is a great career choice if you are compassionate and keen to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism who face physical, mental and social challenges.

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

B761

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

Fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council1 (NMC) providing eligibility for registration as a nurse on successful completion of the course (additional costs may apply).

  • You’ll spend up to 50% of your time on clinical practice placements5 in a range of healthcare environments such as within the NHS in hospitals and community placements, at private hospitals and independent care providers.
  • Study and develop specialist skills in communication, comprehensive health assessment, equality and issues related to professional practice.
  • All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.

Why you should study this course

Learning disability (LD) nurses play a critical role in improving their patients’ physical and mental health, reducing barriers to them living an independent life and supporting them to lead a fulfilling and healthy life where they can relate to others on equal terms. A hugely rewarding profession, it is a great career choice if you are compassionate and keen to support individuals of all ages through the many physical, mental and social challenges facing people with learning disabilities.

This course aims to prepare you for the dynamic and fast-changing health and social care system, developing you into an adaptable, flexible, reflective, competent and compassionate practitioner. Actively engaging with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, you’ll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience under supervision from qualified mentors on placement.

While the course has a clear focus on people with learning disabilities, a key benefit of our curriculum is the notion of collaboration across all areas of health and social care. Your studies will be complemented with significant insights into a range of potential challenges to health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan, such as mental health, complex care and life limiting conditions. Some modules are also studied in conjunction with other health and social care professionals; looking at specific issues and challenges they face to broaden your knowledge and expertise.

You will have the opportunity to learn the value of people with learning disabilities as equal citizens and people who have a real contribution to make to your development as a caring professional nurse in this unique field of practice. You will have the opportunity to study and develop specialist skills in communication, comprehensive health assessment, equality and issues related to professional practice. This includes complex health needs, profound and multiple needs, care packages and therapeutic approaches to service users with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

The collaborative curriculum, which you’ll study alongside students from other health-related courses, has been developed in response to the need to produce professionals who are effective communicators, caring and compassionate, with good relationship-building skills. It recognises the importance of interprofessional working within the health and social care workforce.

Placing equal value on practice and theory, undertaking 800 hours of both per year, you will have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, psychology, sociology and research methods. This course will give you the opportunity to become immersed in learning about the needs of populations, individuals, related health and nursing services with an emphasis on using research to enhance and improve services.

Your degree culminates with a literature review related to one aspect of nursing practice, equivalent to the standard dissertation, for which you will write a 4,000-word report. Past students have covered topics as diverse as effects of antipsychotic medication, uptake of annual health checks, treatment of people with LD in acute hospital settings, experiences of parents with LD and experiences of offenders with LD, for example.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Nursing and Midwifery Council

The course is fully accredited by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the 2023/24 intake and, providing you also meet the NMC requirements, on successful completion you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the regulator for nursing and midwifery professions in the UK. It maintains a register of all nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK.


Learning Disability Nurses are activists, advocates, investigators and carers. We are proud to support the Royal College of Nursing in celebrating this wonderful profession.

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Every CU Scarborough nursing graduate secures local work

Each and every nursing student who graduated from CU Scarborough last year has now found work within local NHS services.

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What you'll study

The first year prepares you for further study and facilitates the understanding of the core principles which underpin learning disability nursing. From the offset, you are introduced to the impact of social determinants, cultures and environmental factors on the nursing industry. This introductory year aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key issues and problems in the contemporary development of learning disabilities nursing. You’ll explore biological and pharmacology principles, the industry context and nursing basics providing a solid foundation for progression into years two and three.

Modules

As the course progresses, students build on the knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. At this level, you’re working on more complex issues and advancing your capability of autonomous working. Enhancing your fundamental understanding of nursing theory, you’ll put your knowledge into practice in a number of interactive modules. You will explore different pathways of care, therapeutic approaches, and evaluate decision making established on evidence collation.

Modules

This year you are working at a professional level, taking on the perspective of an accountable practitioner and clarifying your nursing skills. You’ll be building on the culmination of knowledge gained in previous years and focusing on transferable skills such as project management, time management and prioritisation. Centring on contemporary topics, you’ll cover immediate issues, care packages, lead service, and management and leadership. You’ll be confident in your own development planning and demonstrate commitment to your continuous improvement as a skilful, accountable practitioner of learning disability nursing.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course uses a wide variety of stimulating approaches to teaching and learning to suit individual learning styles. This includes a series of interactive lectures with associated seminars, skills lab activities and practical placements. All modules are mandatory to enable you to exit the programme with the knowledge, values and skills to be able to work within integrated care settings and enhance the delivery of care for service users, their families and carers.

The course is underpinned by an approach to professional care which is characterised by empathy, respect, dignity and kindness towards patients and their families. We will encourage you to develop an in-depth understanding of the organisation and culture of modern healthcare systems, equipping you with the confidence to be able to take a stronger role in the leadership and management of resources in delivering treatment and healthcare options to patients.

Throughout your studies, in groups and individually, you will undertake profession specific health and social care related projects and case studies. These may, for example, include an appraisal of the role of the nurse in ethical and legal decision making, considering service improvement bids or complex care planning and delivery via the multi-disciplinary team. You will also participate in a group poster presentation demonstrating your understanding of research underpinning patient care.

You’ll make use of our extensive simulation facilities4 – from basic life support manikins to high-tech simulation dummies, which emulate patient responses and test resuscitation skills.

Gaining experience using simulation across a range of care settings is aimed at building your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations. You can practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment. We also use actors to enhance these experiences in scenarios which include breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict, aggression, teaching and child protection conferences.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Course breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Practical placement5
  • Formal examinations

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BCC excludes General Studies
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English, Mathematics and Science
BTEC DMM in a Health, Sport or Science subject
Access Diploma 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Health units plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
IB Diploma 27 points with 14 at Higher

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. Applicants are expected to show academic attainment at the required level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective teamworking in delivering excellent patient care. That’s why you will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process.

All offers are subject to satisfactory health clearance, enhanced disclosure and barring service/criminal conviction checks5 and a successful interview.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed.

You may also want to consider studying a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. Applicants are expected to show academic attainment at the required level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective teamworking in delivering excellent patient care. That’s why you will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process.

All offers are subject to satisfactory health clearance, enhanced disclosure and barring service/criminal conviction checks5 and a successful interview.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

All eligible home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home students), if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

You’ll be able to make use of our simulation facilities4. You will use equipment found in the real world of practice, such as medical devices to assist with all elements of care including medication administration, to help build confidence before you go on placement.

Mock hospital ward

Gaining experience using simulation across a range of care settings is aimed at building your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations. You can practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment.

Realistic scenarios

We may use actors to enhance your experience, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations including breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict and aggression.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, our students will be able to:

  • Apply their knowledge, skills and understanding as an accountable, emotionally intelligent and resilient nurse, who is able to manage their own personal health and wellbeing. Conducting their nursing practice with insight and self-awareness of when and how to access support yet able to challenge systems which adversely affect staff and patients’ wellbeing.
  • Interpret, apply and contribute to nursing research activities as evidence informed practitioners within the context of health and social care.
  • Demonstrate collaborative capabilities as nurses that promote integrated learning and working, within public, private, and third sector organisations, for the health and well-being of people in our community.
  • Practise as an intercultural nurse at a national and international level and be able to appraise, through reflection, their own intercultural development in order to become a global graduate.
  • Promote service improvement and draw on leadership skills in order to collaborate in the design and delivery of complex care packages and services for people of all ages and from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs from a nursing perspective.
  • Consolidate knowledge and clinical skills to support and/or lead safe, compassionate and person-centred nursing care for people, across the lifespan, who have complex mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural care needs within a variety of care settings by meeting the field specific knowledge, skills and nursing understanding as identified by the statutory professional body.
  • Initiate the use of evolving technologies and harness innovation and change for the benefit of services and person-centred care delivery which promote patient safety and the quality of nursing care.

How to apply

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU197B

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

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