BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: B761
Institute code: H36

This course is up for periodic review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by December 2024.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

Clearing entry requirements

We’re committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. Over Clearing, we’ll be taking a flexible approach so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.

UCAS	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
112–120	BBC–BBB	DMM–DDM BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social care or similar area of study	112–120 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	45 credits at level 3, which must equate to a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points	112-120 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at grade 4 or above (the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core)

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

Accepted T Levels: Healthcare Science; Health; Science.

All offers will be subject to the applicants demonstration of the NHS constitution’s “Values and Behaviours”, satisfactory interviews, numeracy and literacy test, health screening and the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks. You can view the full NHS Constitution for England on the Government website here.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS overall score of 6.5 with scores of at least 6.5 in the listening, reading, writing and speaking sections with no less than 6.5 in any one band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
112–120	BBC–BBB	DMM–DDM BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social care or similar area of study	112–120 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	45 credits at level 3, which must equate to a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points	112-120 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at grade 4 or above (the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core)

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

Accepted T Levels: Healthcare Science; Health; Science.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Professional accreditations

Successful completion of the programme will lead to entitlement to apply to enter the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council UK for Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Why choose this course?

9th in the UK for Nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2024)
93% overall student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS)
Opportunities to learn across a diverse range of placements

Do you feel passionate about health and social inclusion for those who are more vulnerable in society? Do you believe everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life whilst maintaining their independence? If the answer is yes, Learning Disabilities Nursing is the profession for you. As a Learning Disabilities Nurse, you’ll have the challenging yet rewarding job of caring for people with a range of needs. You’ll also work in partnership with family, carers and specialist healthcare professionals, promoting health and wellbeing, to ensure that people with learning disabilities reach their full potential.

Right from the start you’ll receive a blend of theory and practical experience. Half the course will be spent at the University. The other half of your time, you’ll gain real life work experience work skills in a variety of settings. We’ll engage your passion and interest in working with people with learning disabilities and/autism.

You’ll develop knowledge and skills they will rely on and depend upon to support their physical, psychological and mental health needs. This incredibly rewarding programme of study will see you fulfilled in a multitude of ways. Rewarded by the achievement of that ultimate goal of seeing first-hand the improved mental and physical well-being of somebody who may not have been able to experience this without your knowledge and skills. Rewarded by your individual learning and growth in practical and theoretical confidence, rewarded by the company you keep with your peers and teachers who share your passion and are like-minded in their pursuit for enhancing lives.

We are a diverse academic team with an impressive profile of expertise. We are researchers, authors, clinical practitioners, qualified teachers and policymakers and our portfolio is enhanced by lived experience of intellectual disabilities and autism.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to choose which area of Learning Disabilities Nursing you would like to pursue as a career. Our graduates hold a variety of positions including community nurses, inpatient nurses, forensic nurses, liaison nurses in general hospitals, specialist nurses within autistic services, prison nurses and others. You could also receive between £5,000 and £8,000 a year to help fund your studies and the good news is that you won’t have to pay back a penny.

Be that voice for those who may be overlooked by society. Be the one that upholds the rights of people with learning disabilities. Be a Learning Disabilities Nurse.

What's the course about?

Your time at the University

You’ll spend 50% of your time here. You’ll develop your theory in different learning environments including lecture theatres, smaller seminars, group tutorials completing projects, discussions, spending time in our new clinical labs practising simulated skills. You’ll learn how to comprehensively assess somebody’s health when they are having difficulty articulating what is wrong with them, you’ll provide a holistic care plan, considering a person’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. We’ll teach you how to increase a person’s motivation to undertake the actions within their care plan by increasing the ownership and placing the person within the centre of their care. Your taught theory will be supplemented by a range of online/digital learning technologies including virtual classrooms and access to hundreds of journal articles and e-books. A range of assessments will test your new knowledge and ability to apply it to practical scenarios, continuously developing your creative and innovative ways of working with people who may have very different perspectives from our own.

Your time on a practice placement

You’ll spend 50% of your time in a practice placement, you could be working with the NHS Trusts in Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire or in London. You’ll also find many learning disability nurses working within the private health sector, which we also utilise to extend your practical placements. You will be supervised and supported with your learning in a supernumerary and safe environment by qualified Learning Disability Nurses who remember only too well what it was like to be a student. Our practice partners are some of the most passionate and caring individuals you’ll meet, all of whom have the people they support at the centre of their practice.

Your practice experience may involve working with a broad range of health and social care professionals and carers who support children, adults and older people who have special needs/ disabilities.

Practice learning experiences during the three-year course include:

Community Learning Disabilities Nursing teams.
Assessment and treatment services.
Forensic services.
Day care / outreach / educational services.
A range of residential services in health, social, and independent settings.
Health liaison experience
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Teams
Short Term Break and Respite Services.
A student-led experience

All practice learning experience meet Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements

In your first year, we’ll get you started with the foundations and the building blocks for further developments of knowledge and skills. You’ll begin to understand the role of a Learning Disabilities Nurse and the impact they have on the people they support and the services they work in. You’ll explore the anatomy and physiology of the human body in relation to a variety of physical health and mental health conditions. We’ll work with you to reflect upon your communication skills and understand how important they are and hear first-hand accounts of the lived experience by those who have been exposed to learning disabilities and more general health and social care institutions. As well as having people with learning disabilities and/or autism within our teaching teams, we also engage with many others who have impacted upon our recruitment, development of curricula and its delivery.

In your second year, you’ll start to explore how young people move between new services as they mature into adulthood. We’ll help you develop your understanding of the physical health needs that are more specific to people with learning disabilities and how Learning Disabilities Nurses are required to become specialists within these particular areas of health. You’ll also critically analyse research methods that inform today’s Learning Disabilities Nursing practice and recognise the importance of evidence-based practice and reflecting upon how it can influence and improve your own practice. There’ll also be the option to apply for an International module which will be delivered with students from five other higher education institutions within different countries. If selected, it’s likely you’ll be travelling to one of these countries, funded by Erasmus EU Project, to enjoy the programme delivery. This has proved to be an extremely enjoyable and well evaluated element of the programme and unique Learning Disabilities Nursing.

In your final year, your knowledge base will be stronger which will be impacting upon your confidence to demonstrate innovative practice. We dedicate a large part of the final year to developing your imaginative and innovative skills and require you to challenge existing practices with a firm eye on improving the care and lives of the people we support. The assessment for this part of the programme will see us help you create an evidence-based proposal to effect positive change in service delivery. You’ll study leadership and management within this field of nursing and be encouraged to take a more leading role within your practical learning.

Your main campus is College Lane  

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.   

Take a virtual tour

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.  

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
An Introduction to Interprofessional Education	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to give students the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working are explored. Learning will be through multi-professional group seminars and tutorials that require students to access and gather appropriate data from a range of sources and apply this to a series of practice-based, simulated scenarios and exercises
The Lived Experience of People with a Learning Disability	15 Credits	Compulsory
This 15 credit level 4 module specific to the field of intellectual/learning disability nursing is designed to introduce pre-registration nursing students to the fundamental concepts and knowledge which underpin the field, using a combination of academic inquiry and practical experience that is student-led. This module will emphasise the role of the intellectual/learning disability nurse, stimulating inquiry about the value base of learning disability nursing, including the implementation of the nursing process. Additionally, the student will be introduced to definitions, diagnosis and will explore evidence about the impact of conditions associated with intellectual/learning disability including autistic spectrum conditions. Equally the module will include understanding physical health needs commonly attributed to people with intellectual/learning disabilities. As student's practical experience develops, they will be required to reflect upon their practices, using a student focused approach to develop reflective and self-awareness skills. In addition, contributors to the module will include recipients of intellectual/learning disability nursing practice and support networks, enabling students to develop their understanding of the lived experience and enhancing skills in collaborative working through discussion with experts by experience, service users, carers and other professionals.
Communication and Relationship Management Skills for Nursing	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module seeks to enable students to actively learn how to build upon their existing communication skills and to explore theories around communication that are relevant to nurses from all fields and in all nursing situations. The module will provide opportunities for students to discuss and develop essential communication skills. Students will develop their skills in searching and evaluating the appropriate literature to aid and underpin all aspects of their communication and develop their academic approaches. Therefore the module will provide active learning opportunities for students to develop critical reading and writing skills so that students can formulate and communicate scholarly arguments and ideas. Issues including consent, equality and diversity, and confidentiality around communication will be addressed so students can apply this to future placement areas.
Communication and People with a Learning Disability	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module seeks to enable students to actively learn how to build upon their existing written communication skills and start to explore some theories around communication that are relevant to nurses in all fields and situations. The module will start to look at basic communication skills and how to apply these verbal and non-verbal skills in different situations. Students will develop their written communication skills and skills in searching for appropriate literature, scholarly and grey literature, to help them develop an accessible information tool. Issues including consent, equality and diversity, and confidentiality around communication will be addressed so students can apply this to future placement areas. The module will also introduce students to some scholarly and grey literature around communication to allow them to broaden their understanding of this area, which they will eventually be able to apply to practice to their own nursing practice.
Foundations of Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This 30-credit, level 4 module aims to introduce the students to the fundamental bioscientific and professional issues that underpin nursing practice. Half of the module is dedicated to the biological concepts that inform nursing practice, while the remainder concentrates on the professional context of nursing practice, concepts of health and wellbeing and the social, political and economic context of health and wellbeing. Towards the end of the module students will be expected to explain and rationalise a best practice assessment of the health and wellbeing of an individual and demonstrate an understanding of bioscientific principles, professional issues and socio-political influences of health.
Learning Disability Nursing Practice 1	30 Credits	Compulsory
This 30 credit level 4 field specific module is designed to introduce students specialising in the Learning Disability Nursing field to some of the fundamental concepts and knowledge which will underpin their practices. The first semester will emphasise the exploration of the broad nature and concept of what is referred to in the UK as 'learning disability'. This will involve examining individual and societal perceptions and values which have influenced the historical and contemporary construct, definition and diagnosis of learning disability. Throughout the year students will also be using their practice-based experiences to undertake activities identified within their practice documents in order to explore the nature and meaning of learning disabilities and its impact upon people's life experiences. The overall practice learning experiences engaged with will be used as vehicles for reflection on such issues and to consider the implications this has for nursing knowledge, skills and values. • Definitions, recognition and indicators of learning disability • The evidence base of health inequalities in people with learning disabilities including diagnostic overshadowing • Relevant legislation, policy with a focus on reasonable adjustments • Safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures • Mandatory training- Moving and Handling, Basic life support- child and adult, Information Governance, Personal Safety. • Anatomy and physiology- as applied to Learning Disability. The physical health needs commonly attributed to people with intellectual/learning disabilities, including chromosomal and neurological disorders. • Awareness of: Dysphagia, sepsis, distress and pain management. • The principles of health promotion and the role of the nurse as a health promoter/facilitator. • Frameworks, models and skills in assessing and care planning to meet the needs of people with a learning disability. • Pharmacological issues in learning disability care • An introduction to Seizure recognition and seizure management • Aspects of annexe B (NMC, 2018) • Introduction to risk assessment and risk management

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
This 30-credit, level 5 module aims to build on the knowledge acquired in Fundamentals of Health and Wellbeing. While the focus on the professional aspects of nursing practice, ideas of health and wellbeing and the social and political context of health and wellbeing continue, the focus on bioscience shifts to the pharmacological aspects of health and wellbeing. The proportion of time dedicated to the topic areas also changes with greater input into ideas of health and wellbeing and the social, political and economic context of care. The subject matter is more intellectually challenging, with a focus on application of knowledge to nursing practice. Students will be able to describe the assessment of the health and wellbeing of an individual and demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political issues that influence their decisions.
Physical Health Needs of People with a Learning Disability	15 Credits	Compulsory
This 15-credit level 5 module is specific to the field of Learning Disability Nursing and is designed to introduce pre-registration students to common health conditions associated with complex needs. With advancements in medical knowledge and ever more effective health interventions, the incidence and prevalence of people with complex needs is increasing progressively, meeting their health care needs provides a challenge to healthcare professionals generally and to Learning Disability nurses in particular. Supporting people to improve health and well-being is integral to Learning Disability Nursing, therefore enabling students to examine contemporary evidence-based practice.
Transition of Young People with a Learning Disability to Adult Services	15 Credits	Optional
This 15 credits Level 5 module is designed to develop, through academic enquiry and practical learning opportunities, the knowledge and understanding of students in addressing the needs of young people with intellectual and learning disabilities who are in transition from children's to adult services. The vulnerability of this group is well documented (CQC, 2014; NICE, 2011). Transition to new services takes place within complex professional, legal and ethical frameworks and this module explores these complexities, giving students the opportunity to develop skills in critical evaluation of the literature, and current best practice approaches, to enhance the outcomes for young people. Students will engage in a range of learning activities, including groupwork and discussion with practitioners in the field to develop their understanding of the management of risks and conflicts within the context of contemporary policies and legislations. Students will explore collaborative working as a means to support young people in transition to reach their full potential.
Research for Learning Disability Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This 30 credit Level 5 module focuses on research and associated evidence as well as its potential impact on learning disability nursing and healthcare provision. Students will be introduced to research processes as well as a range of research methods. Participation in this module will be via active engagement in interactive activities that will be specifically designed to enable students to understand the research cycle and associated processes. The module aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and understanding of research and related evidence to inform learning disability nursing practice.
Learning Disability Nursing Practice 2	30 Credits	Compulsory
This is a 30 credits module at Level 5 designed to enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding about the health needs of people with intellectual/learning disabilities and to use the nursing process to develop clinical skills, that are required to implement effective assessments, planning and evaluation strategies to enhance health outcomes for this group. Students will use research and appraisal skills to explore contemporary policies and legislation. There will be a focus on collaborative working across professional disciplines with opportunities to engage in discussions with practitioners, supporting the evaluation of current evidence/literature and its application to practice. Students will work in partnership with people to develop person-centred care plans that take into account their circumstances, characteristics and preferences. Students will use information obtained during assessments to identify the priorities and requirements for person-centred and evidence-based nursing interventions and support. In addition, students will be encouraged to consolidate their learning through reflection.
European Perspectives of Young People with Learning Disabilities	15 Credits	Optional
Module Content: (for publication, max 150 words) This 15 credits Level 5 module is designed to develop, through academic enquiry and practical learning opportunities, the knowledge and understanding of students in addressing the needs of young people with intellectual and learning disabilities during the health and social inclusion process. The vulnerability of this group is well documented (CQC, 2014; NICE, 2011). Transition to new services takes place within complex professional, legal and ethical frameworks and this module explores these complexities, giving students the opportunity to develop skills in critical evaluation of the literature and current best practice approaches, to enhance the outcomes for young people. Students will engage in a range of learning activities, including groupwork and discussion with practitioners in the field to develop their understanding of the management of risks and conflicts within the context of contemporary policies and legislations. There will be an essential focus upon collaborative working across professional disciplines and the evaluation of current evidence/literature; and its application to practice. This module will be delivered abroad with Erasmus funding in collaboration with five other countries namely Stockholm University, Queens University in Belfast, Edinburgh Napier University, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oradea University in Romania and Maria Grzegorzewska-University.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Enhancing Health & Social Care through Inter-professional Education	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to give students further opportunities of working in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will bring benefit to patient/service-users. The justification for inclusion of inter-professional working within health care is addressed. The module requires students to bring specialist in-depth knowledge of their profession and professional codes of conduct to a group setting so that health and social care pathways are critically reviewed in the context of professional practice.
Imagination and Innovation in Evidence Based Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students on this module will be supported to create an evidence-based proposal to effect positive change in service delivery. It represents an exciting opportunity for students to engage in a negotiated work-based practice project proposal that will encourage them to focus upon a practice issue of personal and professional interest. Students will be encouraged to explore this in an imaginative and innovative manner which may lead to new ways of improving practice for the benefit of service users from an individual, group or whole service perspective. The project is conceived as having the potential to be taken further by student in a role beyond registration, working within care/service teams. The module will call upon students to further develop and employ both their knowledge of evidence-based practice, their skills of research and inquiry and of project management in adopting a rigorous approach to the project design and organisation.
Leading and Managing Learning Disability Nursing Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to give student nurses the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Students nurses will learn about aspects of the managerial role including: • Collaborative practice, including inter-professional practice • Using feedback to improve performance/outcomes • Identifying learning needs • Leadership skills • Risk assessments • Supervision in practice • Reflection and use in practice • Political context of NHS, nursing, resource management. Students will engage in a range of learning activities including taught content, group discussions and critical appraisal of current research and best practice guidance to inform their clinical practice in relation to the learning outcomes for this module.
Learning Disability Nursing Practice 3	30 Credits	Compulsory
This 30 credit level 6 field specific module is designed to build on the principles of effective leadership, management, group and organisational dynamics and culture, to enhance the student's skills of managing self, others and environments as applied to care delivery within learning disability nursing services. The module will prepare students in the transition to their future roles as qualified practitioners and prospective leaders within the learning disability nursing profession.
People with Learning Disabilities who Experience Mental Ill-Health	15 Credits	Compulsory
This 15 credit Level 6 module is designed to develop the knowledge and understanding of students in addressing the mental health needs of people who have a learning disability and additional mental health difficulty. People with these needs may require support at home or within a specialist provision, such as a mental health hospital. Identifying mental ill health amongst people who have intellectual disabilities can be a challenging and complex process which requires significant levels of both knowledge and skill. This module explores such complexities within the context of implementing effective, evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies to enhance individual/service outcomes. Students will learn about and critically explore mental health promotion within the context of current policies and legislations through a range of learning activities, including group work, and self-directed study. In addition, teacher/students will engagement in research-based discussions about the ethical considerations associated with this group in the light of historical and contemporary approaches to disability. There will be an essential focus upon managing risks, collaborative working across professional disciplines and the application of research evidence to practice.
Final Numeracy Exam	0 Credits	Compulsory
Using both lecture based teaching and online resources this module intends to enable the student to develop knowledge of the formulae used for calculating medication dosages for both enteral and parenteral medicine administration.

What if I need support?

You’ll be linked to a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation. We fully recognise that there are many styles of learning and varying degrees of support required. As a smaller group of academics and students it is widely recognised that we provide an excellent level of support for our students and this has been reflected within the National Student Survey in recent years. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can also attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online tutorials.
In the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS) the course received 98% satisfaction for learning opportunities, 96% for learning community and 95% for teaching and academic support.

'The best thing about studying at the University is the level of support we receive. The staff are very supportive and want everyone to succeed so they invest their time to enable us to achieve our goals. In addition, the resources and facilities are world class.'

Jamila Noah Foissang

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

Check out our student blogs

Alumni Stories

Ramatu Nguru

Meet Ramutu Nguru who has excelled as a Registered Nutritionist since graduating in 2016. She currently works as a School Food Nutritionist for Herts Catering Limited (HCL).

Current job role	School Food Nutritionist
Year of graduation	2016
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Nutrition

Essential skills for the future

Ramatu graduated having studied Nutrition and has now entered her chosen career as a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) with the Association for Nutrition (AfN). She currently works as a School Food Nutritionist for Herts Catering Limited (HCL). Her course enabled Ramatu to achieve her career aspirations, providing invaluable experience which included work shadowing, volunteering and practical work placement opportunities alongside various registered nutritionists and dieticians.

Ramatu says, 'Many employers advertise for nutritionists who are already registered with the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN). In order to register, you would need to be able to demonstrate that you meet the underpinning knowledge and professional skills required.' Studying a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition or related bioscience degree provides students with an abundance of practicable and transferable experience which will enable you to make crucial inroads into the profession.'

Experience is crucial

Experience is crucial and Ramatu attests that it is even more beneficial than good grades. She advises students to seek out as much opportunity as possible to gain professional experience and says, 'My priority is to continually develop professionally as a Registered Nutritionist as there is always room to improve my own practice and service delivery.' The University provides fantastic opportunities for students through work placements, study abroad schemes as well as the fantastic industry led practical elements embedded into the courses themselves.

Alumni Stories

Khan Asghar Iqbal

Meet Khan Asghar Iqbal who is saving lives everyday as a Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP). He is currently working for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust.

Current job role	Newly Qualified Paramedic
Year of graduation	2018
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

A unique degree and experience

Khan says his ambition to work in London and move out of his hometown in Cardiff was a key factor in choosing to study at the University of Hertfordshire. However, his course also provided a unique combination of theoretical and practical study which Khan says, 'prepared me to put my knowledge into practice while out on placement each term. The course also gave me a glimpse of future opportunities for paramedics such as teaching, management and advanced practice.'

The vocational nature of the degree enabled him to transition smoothly into his chosen career providing him with the essential professional skills and hands on experience he required to excel as a paramedic. He says, 'The course gives you the knowledge to make lifesaving decisions but also gives you more advanced knowledge regarding complicated conditions and the various medicines that come with each patient.'

Khan speaks fondly of his time at the University and says, 'I truly miss everyone I became friends with on my degree. Some of the nights out in the Forum were the best I've ever had and they will be everlasting memories, with friends both on and off of my course. I really came out of my shell and comfort zone and it has made me into the confident and outgoing person I am today.'

Get your dream job

Khan says that being a paramedic is the 'best job in the World' and, although he has just started his career, he hopes to go onto postgraduate study and experience new cultures by travelling.

What's next for my career?

Following successful completion of the Learning Disability Nursing programme you will be entitled to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council UK. This registration will enable you to take advantage of the varied opportunities available to you, to put into practice all you have learned and make a positive contribution to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families.

You will be able to seek employment in a wide range of organisations including NHS, social services and private and voluntary organisations. You will meet many interesting people throughout your career and each day will be different. You will always be learning, and developing new and innovative skills through experience and education that will enable you to diversify or specialise in a particular area of Learning Disability Nursing, giving opportunity for promotion and job satisfaction.

Following qualification there are also many opportunities to further your professional studies with courses, available at graduate level and above, to help develop your knowledge and practice.

95% of graduates are in work or doing further study 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes, 2019/2020).

This course entitles you to apply for registration as a learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This opens up a range of career options providing care within the NHS, social services and private and voluntary organisations.
View our Alumni profiles

Ramatu Nguru Khan Asghar Iqbal

Course fact sheets
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)	Download
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)	Download

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Nursing	Download
BSc (Hons) Nursing	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2024

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
09/09/2024	30/09/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
09/09/2024	30/09/2025	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
09/09/2024	30/09/2025	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
09/09/2025	30/09/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
09/09/2025	30/09/2026	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
09/09/2025	30/09/2026	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Interview

Once you have applied via UCAS, you may then be invited for an interview. The interview process provides the applicant with an opportunity to demonstrate their passion and desire to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism within this interesting and diverse health sector. The interview panel will be conducted by an academic within the team who will be accompanied by an expert by experience, i.e. who has experience of receiving care, or an NHS Professional. There will be the opportunity for you to ask any questions too.
We very much look forward to receiving your application and meeting you soon.
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £17750 for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £17750 for the 2024/2025 academic year
NHS Funding for UK/EU Students

Students studying on nursing, midwifery or allied health professional courses funded by Health Education England will have access to the same student loans support package and support for living costs as other students.

You could also benefit from the NHS learning support fund if you study an eligible nursing, midwifery, or allied health course. If eligible, the different kinds of support you could get include a training grant, parental support, money back for travel and temporary accommodation whilst on placement, and financial hardship (which you won’t need to pay back).

For more detailed information on the scholarships and/or bursaries available, please visit our fees and funding page and the NHS learning support fund website.

Accommodation (Hatfield Applicants)

Due to the nature of your programme, your studies are likely to continue over the summer period, requiring an extended period of accommodation on campus. There are 2 accommodation options available to you:
- Option 1 - 42 week accommodation: if you opt for this accommodation contract but need to stay on campus for up to 50 weeks, this will mean that you will have to move accommodation and we cannot guarantee that this will be at the same cost, and may be higher.
- Option 2 - 50 week accommodation: if you opt for this accommodation contract, which is recommended, this will allow you to complete your studies over the summer period without having to move accommodation. If you choose this option you cannot change to a 42 week contract at a later stage.
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Scholarships
- Wilson Sports Scholarship
- The UH Trust Health Scholarship
Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: B761

Institute code: H36

Clearing entry requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Your time at the University

Your time on a practice placement

Your main campus is College Lane

What will I study?

'The best thing about studying at the University is the level of support we receive. The staff are very supportive and want everyone to succeed so they invest their time to enable us to achieve our goals. In addition, the resources and facilities are world class.'

Check out our student blogs

Student Blogs

My typical day

Student Blogs

About my course

Student Blogs

Why I chose Herts

Student Blogs

Alumni Stories

Meet Ramutu Nguru who has excelled as a Registered Nutritionist since graduating in 2016. She currently works as a School Food Nutritionist for Herts Catering Limited (HCL).

Essential skills for the future

Experience is crucial

Alumni Stories

Meet Khan Asghar Iqbal who is saving lives everyday as a Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP). He is currently working for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust.

A unique degree and experience

Get your dream job

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

NHS Funding for UK/EU Students

Accommodation (Hatfield Applicants)

Scholarships

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation

Your main campus is College Lane  