BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)
Top 20 in the UK for General Nursing. Guardian League Table 2023
Do you want to support the wellbeing and social inclusion of people with learning disabilities? Learning disability nurses care for people of all ages with a learning disability and work in partnership with individuals, supporters and family carers to provide specialist healthcare. They promote their autonomy, rights, choices and their social inclusion in the health care system.
This three-year learning disabilities nursing degree combines theory and practice in an innovative way, to focus on the care of people with learning disabilities. Successful completion of this nursing degree will allow you entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register as a qualified learning disabilities nurse.
Currently, if you are a UK student, the fees for your nursing course will be paid by the Welsh Government. Follow Care Sciences on Twitter and Instagram.
Year One: Learning Disability Nursing Degree
- The Essentials of Nursing Practice
- Assessing needs and creating therapeutic opportunities
- Promoting Health & Wellbeing
- Developing confidence in Practice: Practice 1
Year Two: Learning Disability Nursing Degree
- Enhancing assessment & evidence-based interventions
- Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing
- Informed decision making in the practice environment
- Evidence-based practice: evaluating care within the context of practice
Year Three: Learning Disability Nursing Degree
- Advancing knowledge, skills & therapeutic interventions
- Leading and managing quality care across settings
- The Nurse as an Educator
- Becoming a proficient practitioner
Teaching
You’ll study with students from all fields and other professions, as well as having sessions specific to your field. There’s also the requirement to work with clients and patients from other fields, so you can care for patients with multiple and complex needs.
The nursing degree lasts a minimum of 42 weeks. Supervised practice placements are an integral part of the programme. There’s an equal split between theory and practice, which is integrated throughout all our nursing courses, Each academic year is split into four terms.
In term one, you will study in theory block in University followed by block in clinical practice. This pattern is repeated through the three-year programme. Please note that holidays are fixed for the duration of your nurse training.
Learning Disability Research
Lecturers are active researchers and members of USW's Unit for Development in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research. The Unit's mission is to work in partnership to enhance quality of life and quality of service provision for people with intellectual disabilities and their families and carers. We do this via an integrated programme of intellectual disability research, education and practice that includes a focus on end of life care; safeguarding and participatory research.
Assessment
You will be assessed using various methods. Whilst on placement you will be assigned a practice assessor/supervisor who will assess your achievements of the Practice Learning Outcomes.
The theoretical component will involve written assignments, case studies, examinations, development of health promotion tools, computer-based medication dosage calculations and clinically based reflective assignments.
Accreditations
The University of South Wales is an NMC Approved Education Institution (AEI). Graduates from our nursing courses can apply to join the NMC professional register and start to practise in the UK.
Placements
Supervised placements are an integral part of your learning disabilities nursing qualification. These are in our partner health boards, as well as in the community and independent sector. When you are working with your mentor in clinical practice, you have to work the shift patterns of the clinical area to which you are allocated.
There is also an opportunity to study and practice abroad in a number of countries during the second year of your learning disabilities nurse training. This will enable you to gain an understanding of different health care systems.
Facilities
As part of your learning disabilities nursing degree, you will learn in our impressive health facilities. Our Clinical Simulation Centre replicates clinical environments for education and training. These include two, four-bedded bays to simulate a hospital setting, dedicated paediatric and maternity facilities, including a special care baby unit, an intensive care environment and an emergency department with a fully equipped ambulance simulator.
There is also a two-bedroom flat (see picture) to simulate providing healthcare in a home environment.
The Centre is used for healthcare education and nurse training, dealing with everything from essential clinical skills to complex, multidisciplinary clinical scenarios.
You’ll use the same equipment you will find in healthcare settings, and work on patient simulators that mimic the body’s reactions to illness, care and treatment.
Featured Lecturer:
Professor Ruth Northway
Ruth Northway OBE was the first Professor of Learning Disability Nursing, and the second learning disability nurse to be awarded an RCN Fellowship.
In 2018 Ruth was honoured with the Chief Nursing Officers’ Award for Lifetime Achievement.
"I came into nursing 35 years ago, not because I wanted to be a nurse but because I enjoyed working with people with learning disabilities and this was the best way that I could do it.
"My subject is very diverse and my work encompasses education, practice and research both specifically in relation to people with learning disabilities and more broadly in relation to nursing and healthcare.
"I also have the opportunity to contribute to policy development at national and UK levels. This diversity helps to maintain my enthusiasm - no two days are the same and there is no time to be bored.
"However I think that my main motivator is that I dislike injustice and whilst many things have improved for people with learning disabilities many still experience injustices both within healthcare and within wider society.
"If I can contribute to changing this situation in a small way via any aspect of my work then that is reason enough for me to keep learning, researching, writing, helping others to increase their knowledge, and working in partnership with people with learning disabilities to improve their lives." Read about our learning disabilities research.
We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
The entry criteria below reflect our standard entry requirements for the course for September 2023. However, all applications received by the University are reviewed holistically and individually. Entry criteria for September 2024 is changing and will be published on ucas.com from 8th May 2023. Entry criteria for September 2024 will be updated on our website from the end of October 2023.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions. USW prides itself on it’s a student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy.
Other qualifications and experience
We can also consider combinations of qualifications and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. We can sometimes consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or advanced entry to year two or three of a course where this is possible.
To find out which qualifications have tariff points, please refer to the UCAS tariff calculator.
If you need more help or information or would like to speak to our friendly admissions team, please contact us here
Additional requirements include:
- All applicants are required to attend an interview. For further support on preparing for interview and what to expect at interview, please read our application advice.
- One satisfactory reference from someone who is able to comment on your attitude and approach to learning in a professional or academic sense.
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child & Adult Workforce and Child and Adult Barring Lists and subscription to the DBS Update Service.
- A satisfactory medical will be required once an offer has been made. We will contact you closer to your start date with details of how to obtain these.
Application advice
We strongly advise applicants to take advantage of the advice available online, from demonstrating you have the relevant qualifications or experience, tips on writing your personal statement to advice on preparing for interview, we have a wealth of support and guidance available to applicants to ensure you are able to demonstrate that you have what it takes and make your application the best it can be. Please read: Application Advice
International enquiries
We are currently unable to accept applications from students who require a Student Route Visa due to the funded nature and health board placements as part of the course.
Typical A-Level Offer
BBB to exclude General Studies
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Grade B and BB at A Level to exclude General Studies
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Distinction Merit
Typical Access to HE Offer
Must complete 60 credits overall with at least 45 at level 3 and 15 at Level 2. Of the 45 credits at level 3, you will need a minimum of 24 Distinctions, 18 Merits and 3 passes.
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
Equivalent qualifications considered are Essential Skills Level Two in Communication and Application of Number, or Functional Skills Level Two in English and Mathematics. (Must have been achieved since 2016)
Full-time fees are per year. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.
The places on this course are currently funded by the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme which provides access to a tuition fee bursary and support grant, as well as placement expenses.
To receive NHS funding, students will have to commit to working in Wales for two years after completing their degree. Any applicant wishing to self-fund should refer to the fees outlined below. We recommend you read the bursary information on the NHS website and our own NHS Fees and Funding FAQs before applying.
Applicants are welcome to self-fund and should refer to the fees outlined above and may be eligible for Student Finance Wales funding.
August 2022 - July 2023 Fees
Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: TBC
August 2023 - July 2024 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
August 2024 - July 2025 Fees
Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC
Student Perks
At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.
Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.
Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.
Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
* Obligatory
| Item | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DBS * | £55.42 | This fee includes £40 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee. |
| DBS Updating Service * | £13 | Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £13. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate. |
Funding
Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs
Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Computers to Support Study
Students from the most deprived areas of Wales (bottom 20%) as ranked within the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) will be provided with £200 to purchase a computer to support their studies whilst on the course.
You can view your home address WIMD ranking at dataunitwales.gov.uk.
Application advice
We strongly advise applicants to take advantage of the advice available online, from demonstrating you have the relevant qualifications or experience, tips on writing your personal statement to advice on preparing for an interview, we have a wealth of support and guidance available to applicants to ensure you are able to demonstrate that you have what it takes and make your application the best it can be.
Please read: Application Advice
International enquiries
We are currently unable to accept applications from students who require a Student Route Visa due to the funded nature and health board placements as part of the course.
Employers are keen to recruit our nursing graduates because they know they are well-prepared, confident, competent and safe practitioners. Learning disability nurses could work in local healthcare trusts, private providers as well as educational, charitable and voluntary providers. Graduates could also work abroad in New Zealand and in the Republic of Ireland.
Students can also progress on to a research degree with the Unit for Development in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.
Graduate Stories
Student Stories
Highlight Stories
The Pontypridd Campus is made up of two sites; Treforest and Glyntaff. Our students love the community atmosphere. It’s quieter than the cities, with green open spaces and views across the valley.
It’s the community and friendships you’ll build that make this place special. Outside your studies you can experience our amazing sport facilities and Students’ Union.
Living in Halls is a great way to meet new people and make friends. We have high quality accommodation in Treforest, Cardiff and Newport.