Learning Disability Nursing BSc (Hons)

• Overview

  Our BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing course will develop your understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities to enable you to work in a range of practice settings in health and social care.

  This will be achieved through the combination of innovative theory and practical experiences which will be delivered using online learning units, alongside traditionally taught sessions and an electronic portfolio for practice development. With our practice partners, we offer support throughout your placements through the experienced support of mentors and an academic link tutor.

  We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

  *with a 2:2 degree classification or higher

  Course

  Highlights

  • Access to a wide range of placements in Northamptonshire that include national specialist services.
  • International placements abroad with the European Nursing Module (ENM).
  • Access to specialist subject tutors from the field with experience in practice, research, management and education.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  Our vision is to enable people with learning disabilities to lead healthy and valued lives. We want to make this a reality by recruiting people who are passionate about caring with learning disabilities and want to make a positive difference to their lives.

  This field equips you with nursing skills to work within health and social care environments with people with learning disabilities. Studying this course will also enable you to work with a wide range of other professions that care for people with learning disabilities and their families. The practical placements that you will take throughout this course will be in a variety of health, education and social care settings with people of all ages that have a range of learning disabilities.

  The course team is listed in the course handbook. All of our teaching staff are professionally and academically qualified within their field.

  You will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor who will be a professional within the nursing team and would normally remain your PAT for the three years of your study. They can offer you continued support and guidance.

  Further information can be accessed through the Learning Disability Nursing Handbook.

  Read what the Nursing Times have to say about our Learning Disability Nursing course.

  Opportunities Abroad – European Nursing Module

  We are one of only four universities in the country that can offer a two week placement in one of around 18 different European cities.

  Through this module you will experience a different health system, culture and life experience and gain an insight into the issues that are faced in an overseas nursing environment. This opportunity is available at a specifically negotiated time during your course, usually within the second or third stage of study.

  You do have to meet the costs for this module yourself, though these are kept to the minimum possible and places are limited.

  The two weeks spent overseas for this module count as placement hours as agreed with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  For further information about the European Nursing Module, please contact fiona.barchard@northampton.ac.uk.

  Partnerships and Accreditation

  Our University is now a part of a well-established, professional European network for Nursing and Midwifery. The Florence Network offers opportunities for future health careers and development to staff, academics and students. For more information go to the Florence Network google site.

  This Learning Disability Nursing course gives you a registration through the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nurse for people with learning disabilities.

  Methods of Learning

  This course is compliant with Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements.

  Typically a September cohort will study:

  • Year One: 915 theory hours and 660 practice hours
  • Year Two: 863 theory hours and 825 practice hours
  • Year Three: 750 Theory hours and 938 practice hours

  From September 2018 we will be offering a new curriculum based on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) proposed standards for education 2017. This curriculum will offer placement learning opportunities throughout Northamptonshire and beyond. Taught elements will include:

  • public and population health
  • assessing planning and providing care
  • leading nursing care
  • working in teams
  • coordinating and improving quality of care.

  Assessments

  We use a variety of methods of assessment on our Learning Disability Nursing course, including:

  • an electronic nursing practice portfolio for each year
  • online examination for numeracy in years one and three (to comply with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements)
  • anatomy and physiology examination
  • nursing care plan
  • essays
  • presentation,
  • viva voce exam
  • reflective essay.

  All assessments are marked in accordance with University regulations. All external examiners are registered nurses who also hold teaching qualifications approved by the NMC.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Further information

  For further information about the course please contact John Turnbull, Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability Nursing, John.Turnbull@northampton.ac.uk

  From September 2019 we will be offering an exciting new curriculum based on The Nursing and Midwifery standards for education 2018. The curriculum will be innovative utilising an active blend learning approach and an extensive range of support is always available. The curriculum will also offer placement learning opportunities throughout Northamptonshire and beyond, including Europe and International possibilities.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    On completion of this course you could pursue a wide range of professional careers in health and social care and research.

    • Healthcare – NHS or independent sector
    • Social Care – NHS, private care or educational sector.

    For further information visit the NHS careers webpage.

    Professional roles that you could progress to include Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Nurse, Strategic Healthcare Facilitator, School Nurse, Prison Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Nurse Educator, Nurse Researcher
    Manager.

    
• Requirements

  The following are essential requirements for all pre-registration nursing programmes;

  Applicants must be 18 years old by the 2nd month of commencing pre-registration nursing programmes and all applicants must have 10 years of consecutive education.

  All applicants must have:

  • English Language and Maths GCSE, or the equivalent, at grade C/4 or above. These must be achieved prior to commencement of the course. (Common equivalents are: Functional skills level 2 and 3, Key skills level 2 and 3, Adult Literacy/Numeracy Level 2).
  • Evidence of recent academic study completed within the last five years.
  • If your first language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of an IELTS score of 7.0 before the course commences.

  You also need one of the following qualifications:

  • BCC at A level
  • BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma or National Diploma at DMM
  • A kitemarked Access to Higher Education course with 30 credits at Merit or above
  • Successful completion of the first year of a relevant Foundation Degree
  • Health and Social Care Diploma at Level 3 (advanced level)
  • CACHE Diploma achieved at grade B or above.

  Please note that we may consider other qualifications not listed above on an individual basis, please contact our Admissions team to discuss these in further detail.

  All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

  • successful Occupational Health Screening,
  • satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report, and
  • successful interview at the University.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 7.0 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2019
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3

  • Discovering My Identity as a Nurse (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR1027

    Core Module Y
  • Professionalism and Public Protection in Nursing (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR1028

    Core Module Y
  • Exploring the Evidence Base for Nursing (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR1029

    Core Module Y
  • Developing Competence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimization of Medicines (0 Credits)
    Module code: NPR1030

    Core Module Y
  • Guided Participation in Nursing Care (60 Credits)
    Module code: NPR1031P

    Core Module Y

  • Constructing and Developing My Nursing Identity (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR2067

    Core Module Y
  • Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in Nursing (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR2068

    Core Module Y
  • Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Learning Disability Nursing (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR2071

    Core Module Y
  • Demonstrating Continuing Competence in the Safe, Effective Administration and Optimization of Medicines (0 Credits)
    Module code: NPR2073

    Core Module Y
  • Active Participation in Nursing Care (60 Credits)
    Module code: NPR2074P

    Core Module Y

  • Transforming and Innovating Learning Disability Nursing (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR4007

    Core Module Y
  • Developing My Nurse Identity Towards Becoming a Registrant (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR3035

    Core Module Y
  • Becoming a Professional, Responsible, and Accountable Registered Nurse (20 Credits)
    Module code: NPR3036

    Core Module Y
  • Demonstrating Competence and Confidence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimization of Medicines and the Health Numeracy Assessment (0 Credits)
    Module code: NPR3037

    Core Module Y
  • Leading and Coordinating Learning Disability Nursing Care (60 Credits)
    Module code: NPR3040P

    Core Module Y

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  Studying Learning Disability Nursing provides you with practical experiences in community settings, the voluntary sector and other health and social care organisations within Northamptonshire.

  You will also have the opportunity to complete a two week placement in a European city through the European Nursing Module.

  The Nursing labs have a purpose built clinical ward where students can learn and develop their clinical skills through practice-based, hands-on education. The students can practise scenarios from a real life hospital wards in a realistic, yet safe clinical environment. The clinical skills labs are equipped with beds, nursing manikins and nursing care equipment used for practical training throughout the course.

• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your Study

    Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

    Public Health MSc

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250

  Additional Costs

  • optional membership of Union
  • optional two week European placement (flights, accommodation, living expenses)
    trip to London in Year One (travel and entrance fee to Florence Nightingale Museum)
  • first set of clinical uniform is free but additional uniforms have to be purchased by the student
  • black leather shoes, black socks.

  Financial contribution towards your travel and expenses in relation to your practice learning opportunities is available from the NHS Learning Support Fund.  Details, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the NHS website.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250

  Additional Costs

  • optional membership of Union
  • optional two week European placement (flights, accommodation, living expenses)
    trip to London in Year One (travel and entrance fee to Florence Nightingale Museum)
  • first set of clinical uniform is free but additional uniforms have to be purchased by the student
  • black leather shoes, black socks.

  Financial contribution towards your travel and expenses in relation to your practice learning opportunities is available from the NHS Learning Support Fund.  Details, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the NHS website.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £15,750

  Additional Costs

  • optional membership of Union
  • optional two week European placement (flights, accommodation, living expenses)
  • trip to London in Year One (travel and entrance fee to Florence Nightingale Museum)
  • first set of clinical uniform is free but additional uniforms have to be purchased by the student
  • black leather shoes, black socks.

  You can claim daily travel costs to and from practice learning opportunities, only if the costs exceed your normal mileage from home to University. This will include being able to claim for parking. These travel expenses are retrospectively paid.

  International scholarships

  For information on the scholarships available to you as an international student, please see our International scholarships page.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £15,500

  Additional Costs

  • optional membership of Union
  • optional two week European placement (flights, accommodation, living expenses)
  • trip to London in Year One (travel and entrance fee to Florence Nightingale Museum)
  • first set of clinical uniform is free but additional uniforms have to be purchased by the student
  • black leather shoes, black socks.

  You can claim daily travel costs to and from practice learning opportunities, only if the costs exceed your normal mileage from home to University. This will include being able to claim for parking. These travel expenses are retrospectively paid.

  International scholarships

  For information on the scholarships available to you as an international student, please see our International scholarships page.

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Values Based Recruitment

  Values Based Recruitment is an approach which attracts and selects students, trainees or employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with the values of the NHS Constitution.

  The purpose of Values Based Recruitment is to ensure that the future and current NHS workforce is selected against the values of the NHS Constitution, so that we recruit people with the right skills and values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

  Our Faculty of Health and Society supports the values stated in the NHS Constitution and these values are utilised in our recruitment and selection processes. Please visit the Health Education England website for more details.

*Course data provided by Unistats