Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BBC

BTEC - DDM-DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

Chat with our students

About the course

Reasons to study

This course, which is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), can lead to a potentially life-enriching career, working in the exciting world of learning disability nursing.
This Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons) course includes a mix of placements, interprofessional learning, lectures and clinical skills sessions in our state-of-the-art labs.
In 2024, the University’s new Daphne Steele Building will open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus. Learning Disability Nursing students can, therefore, benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.

Are you passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder? If you’re looking for a rewarding, life-long career in nursing, our Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons) course be for you.

Learning disability nurses are qualified to work with individuals with learning disabilities at all ages, from childhood through to end of life. They work in a person-centred way and are passionate about rights, choice, inclusion, and equality.

On this course, you’ll discover that working with individuals with learning disabilities is enjoyable, creative, enriching, and inspiring. The career opportunities of a Learning Disability nurse are varied, too. You could secure a role within community teams, specialist behaviour teams, nursing care, autism services, children’s services, assessment and treatment services, mental health, and palliative care.

The course is designed to help you become a competent, caring, and compassionate nurse. You’ll also develop your communication and interpersonal skills, become confident in person-centred approaches, leadership and management, evidence-based decision making and teamworking.

Why study Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)

Regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this course could lead to a potentially life-enriching career as a learning disability nurse. Throughout your studies, you’ll be supported by a team who are learning disability nurses first and foremost, with extensive and varied practice experience and diverse interests in the field of learning disabilities. Individuals with learning disabilities are involved in the development of teaching materials, too, and will work with you in the classroom. You’ll also spend 50 per cent of your learning undertaking placement opportunities in a wide range of clinical practice settings, providing care and support for both children and adults.

You’ll learn in our state-of-the-art labs, which will help you develop your clinical skills, including personal care, life support, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) assessment, venepuncture, and wound care. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake interprofessional learning opportunities with other professional groups, such as social workers and speech and language therapists.

In 2024, the University’s new Daphne Steele Building will open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus, too. Learning Disability Nursing students can, therefore, benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.

After successful completion of this Learning Disability Nursing degree, you can apply to register with the NMC and work as a Registered Learning Disability Nurse.

Students on this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year – find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.

Not quite ready to start Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degreewill equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Learning Disability Nursing.

Course detail

Year 1

Core modules:

Becoming a Professional - Learning Disability Nursing

This module involves exploring your development as a professional, examining your personal and professional attitudes and beliefs, as well as relating these to your future professional role as a learning disability nurse. You’ll gain an understanding about how you can develop as a learner and maintain your physical and mental health, so you are able to promote and support people who have learning disabilities with their health. You’ll also learn how to manage the transition to university and explore ethical and professional codes underpinning learning disability nursing.

Introduction to Learning Disability Nursing

This module provides the opportunity for you develop the fundamental knowledge and skills to provide effective person-centred care to people of all ages and specifically for people who have a learning disability. You’ll learn about the principles of holistic assessment and care for people with a range of physical, mental health and cognitive care needs, as well as about the promotion and maintenance of health and wellbeing with all groups of people including those who are ‘well’. You’ll gain an understanding of development through the lifespan by exploring the principles of anatomy and physiology, along with an introduction to pharmacology and medicines administration.

Nursing Practice 1

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the fundamental skills of nursing practice including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations and basic life support. You’ll complete a practice learning experience where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice.

Nursing Practice 2

This module provides you with a further opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of nursing practice including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations and basic life support. You’ll complete a practice learning experience, where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice.

Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing

This module introduces you to the nature of knowledge and how it supports evidenced-based nursing practice. You’ll learn how to search for and read evidence to identify its value and relevance to nursing practice. You’ll explore how to evaluate published research and will be introduced to the concept of ethics within healthcare research. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop and use a variety of transferable skills including literature searching, critical appraisal of evidence and application of evidence to your own and the nursing practice of others.

Year 2

Core modules:

Developing as a Professional

This module builds on the Becoming a Professional module in Year 1 and provides the opportunity for you to develop the professional and transferable knowledge and skills required to become a Registered Nurse. You’ll gain an understanding of professional, legal and ethical knowledge and frameworks, and their role in your clinical decision-making. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your understanding and skills for effective team working, leadership and management to enable you to positively influence care delivery, decisions and management for people in your care.

Developing Critical Knowledge and Skills in Learning Disability Nursing

This module builds on the knowledge and skills you developed in Year 1. You’ll expand your range of assessment skills and apply them to more complex care encounters with people with learning disabilities. Using your knowledge to recognise deterioration and begin to identify appropriate interventions to meet the care needs for people with a range of complex physical, mental health and cognitive care needs. You’ll plan care needs and begin to formulate care plans to meet the needs of individuals and groups of people in your care.

Developing Research Knowledge and Evidence for Learning Disability Nursing Practice

This module builds on the Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing module in Year 1, by introducing you to the design of research studies, including literature reviews and empirical projects. You’ll have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills of research methods and design, preparing you to undertake a study relevant to learning disability nursing in Year 3. You’ll learn about research ethics, data collection, analysis and research approaches including qualitative, qualitative and mixed method studies, literature reviews undertaken systematically and audits. For those apprentices with a Nursing Associate qualification, this module may not be required. If so, you would spend this time back on base with your employer.

Nursing Practice 3

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop a wider range of skills of nursing practice including cannulation and phlebotomy. You’ll complete a practice learning experience, where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice.

Nursing Practice 4

This module provides you with the opportunity to further develop your skills of nursing practice including cannulation and phlebotomy. You’ll complete a practice learning experience, where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice.

Year 3

Core modules:

Being a Professional

This module builds on professionally themed modules in Year 1 and 2 to consolidate your preparation to become a qualified nurse. You’ll have the opportunity to develop future nurse leader skills to prepare you to positively influence care, undertake the role of teacher to individuals and groups, as well as the role of practice supervisor for future nurses.

Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Learning Disability Nursing

This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Year 1 and 2. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your range of assessment skills and apply them under minimum supervision whilst managing and coordinating the care of people with learning disabilities with a range of conditions varying in complexity and in a range of settings. The module also assists you to develop skills in advanced care management and complex discharge or transfer planning.

Nursing Practice 5

This module provides the opportunity for you to gain fundamental skills of nursing practice including intravenous medicine administration. You’ll complete a practice learning experience where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice.

Nursing Practice 6

You’ll be supported in supervised practice in placement areas to develop your knowledge and skills related to practice. Simulated placement learning will focus on preparation for placement; mandatory skills and transition to registered nurse. Both formative and summative assessment will be provided with initial, intermediate, and final interviews in practice. Lectures will provide opportunities for preparation and support before and during placement.

Using Evidence and Research to Enhance Learning Disability Nursing Practice

This module builds on the evidence and research modules in Year 1 and 2, enabling you to systematically undertake a literature review or a small scale research project based on the research proposal developed in Year 2. You’ll have the opportunity to develop a detailed literature review report or research study report. You’ll use one of a variety of approaches including qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, audit or a review of literature undertaken in a systematic way, within the learning disability nursing field. You’ll also be involved in data collection and analysis.

Teaching and assessment

An average of 7% of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc and 50% is spent on placement. You'll be taught by a team who really understand what it’s like to do the job and care passionately about developing the best future workforce. Contemporary issues will be addressed, latest techniques demonstrated and strategies identified which will support you in developing skills and qualities for professional practice.

Learning and teaching on this course is delivered through seminars, lectures, group work, simulation and practical skills experience. The modules have been designed to embed transferable skills and enable you to progressively increase your knowledge and confidence. Your studies will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment.

The assessment methods on the course are varied and involve a combination of coursework, practice/proficiency based learning, reports, presentations and examinations. The nature of the assessment varies from module to module, and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field, such as the ability to present to a range of audiences and provide reports to enhance the quality of care.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Laboratory sessions, classroom based learning and the use of simulated patients enable you to practice your skills in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll undertake practice placement experiences, where you’ll learn and be assessed in a real practice setting, under the supervision of appropriately qualified practice supervisors and practice assessors. You’ll be assessed whilst on placement through a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

Throughout the course you’ll also have access to a Personal Development Plan, where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, construct a record of achievement documenting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as reflect and act upon your personal, professional, academic and long-term career goals.

Further information

Once you’ve submitted your application form to UCAS you may be invited to attend an interview.

The teaching year normally starts in September and your breaks will be interspersed throughout the year depending on what stage you have reached in your three year programme. Your main examination/assessment period usually takes place in May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. This is a full-time course, so you may have to attend every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study core modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification.

If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

Teaching excellence

The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.
Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

Entry requirements

BBB-BBCat A Level . If you are studying A Level Science, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications. If you are studying A Level Science, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

Merit at T Level

DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade B.
Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 15 at Distinction, 30 at Merit.
120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In addition:

You must have GCSE English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Ofqual regulated Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

You must demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of learning disability nursing, as well as relevant work experience (employment or voluntary) highlighting your transferable skills.

You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You'll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which allows a maximum of 50% of credits for the award to be conferred through accreditation of prior learning.

Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

If you have alternative qualifications, including the nursing associate foundation degree, you may wish to contact us for advice before applying. Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer.

Daphne Steele Building

The Daphne Steele Building which is due to open in September 2024, will be the new home to our Health Professional degree courses. This will feature state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for our midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, operating department practice, paramedic science, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy courses.

Watch the video to tour our new Daphne Steele Building, the first development on our National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield.

Learning Disability Nursing?

Learning Disability Nurses work with people who have a range of learning disabilities and provide hands on care in relation to a person’s complex physical, social and psychological needs. Watch this video to learn about the role of a Learning Disability Nurse, the environments in which they may work and the skills required.

About the course

Watch this video to find out more about the Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons) course and the placement opportunities available.

Chantelle’s story

Chantelle is studying Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons). Watch Chantelle’s film to hear why she was surprised when she was offered a place on the course. Chantelle also talks about what she thinks of the facilities and staff, how the teaching is delivered, as well as the range of placements available.

Placements

Nothing can really replicate working in the real-world, which is why practice placements are essential and a compulsory part of the course. The Nursing and Midwifery Council require you to complete the minimum of 2300 hours over the three years in order to obtain registration. Each year you'll complete two blocks of placement.

You'll have the opportunity to complete your practice learning experiences in a diverse range of health and social care settings, reflecting the diversity of the services accessed by people with a learning disability. This may include community teams, nursing and residential homes, supported living services, schools, short break services, day opportunities or hospitals and clinics. You may also have the opportunity to work within forensic services, prisons, palliative care and youth offending services.

In order to provide you with the broadest professional experience possible, practice experiences are generally offered across West Yorkshire and beyond, covering 24 hour care including evening, weekend and occasional night shifts.

Please note that you will be required to travel to and during your placements. Your placement areas could be anywhere within the wider Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield metropolitan districts of West Yorkshire. You need to think very carefully about how you’ll travel across this region for your placements with awareness that when in placement you’ll often be required to start a shift at 7.00am and may not finish until 8.00pm. Your placements will also incorporate night-shift and weekend working. For more information visit our placements page.

“My placements in a variety of settings were useful, enjoyable, and developed my confidence. They will also benefit me in my future career as a learning disability nurse, as I have gained lots of skills and the competency to deliver the highest quality of patient centred care possible."

Holly Turner, Currently studying Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)

Facilities

Clinical skills session

Interactive session with service users.

Fibre optic light stimulate/soothe clients needs.

Multi-sensory equipment in our dedicated room.

Your career

Our graduates have gone on to work as nurses in local healthcare trusts, charities and short-term care providers.**

Other careers could also include high profile leadership roles supporting people with learning disabilities and specialist needs or roles within specialist assessment and treatment areas.

After qualification there is an extensive range of training and career opportunities, which include becoming a manager for local service providers, epilepsy nurse, safeguarding nurse, behavioural specialist or forensic care nurse. Other opportunities include working in dual diagnosis services or specialist services for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, specialist nurse for drug management, consultant nurse specialist or nurse lecturer, as well as a policy maker and advisor at a national or local level.

* Percentage of graduates from this subject who go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 20/21, UK Domiciled)
** LinkedIn.

85% Graduates employed*

Professional links and accreditations

This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Whilst studying this course you're currently not required to register as a member with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), however you must follow their codes of conduct.

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions. Find out more about the Service.

Further study

Progression to one of our Workforce Development courses could include studying a specialist short course, Postgraduate Certificate, Master’s or Master’s by Research. Our courses are designed to assist you in developing your career and skills in specialist areas of clinical practice.

Caring for Children and Young People (Distance Learning)

Gain knowledge and skills in relation to caring for children and young people.

Start date

Duration

Entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

About the course

Reasons to study

Why study Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)

Course detail

Becoming a Professional - Learning Disability Nursing

Introduction to Learning Disability Nursing

Nursing Practice 1

Nursing Practice 2

Understanding Knowledge and Evidence for Nursing

Developing as a Professional

Developing Critical Knowledge and Skills in Learning Disability Nursing

Developing Research Knowledge and Evidence for Learning Disability Nursing Practice

Nursing Practice 3

Nursing Practice 4

Being a Professional

Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Learning Disability Nursing

Nursing Practice 5

Nursing Practice 6

Using Evidence and Research to Enhance Learning Disability Nursing Practice

Entry requirements

Daphne Steele Building

Learning Disability Nursing?

About the course

Chantelle’s story

Placements

Facilities

Your career

Caring for Children and Young People (Distance Learning)

Health Professional Education PgCert

Health Studies MSc

Independent and Supplementary Prescribing

Long Term Conditions PgCert

Master of Public Health

Nursing and Midwifery (MSc by Research)

Career support

Caring for Children and Young People (Distance Learning)

Health Professional Education PgCert

Health Studies MSc

Independent and Supplementary Prescribing

Long Term Conditions PgCert

Master of Public Health

Nursing and Midwifery (MSc by Research)

Student support

Fees and Finance

Fees and Finance

Important information

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Major changes:

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Registered Nurse (Degree Apprenticeship) (Blended Learning) Learning Disability BSc(Hons)

Registered Nurse (Learning Disability) (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)