• Undergraduate
  • Apprenticeship

Learning Disabilities Nursing

BNursing (Hons) Level 6
Next steps
Contact us
Overview

Overview

This Learning Disabilities apprenticeship course will enable you to become a knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled graduate nurse. You will learn to care for and empower people of different ages, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs with complex mental, physical, cognitive or behavioural care needs.

You will split your time equally between learning theory on campus and applying your knowledge in practice, across a range of healthcare settings, where you will be supported by subject specialists, who will provide you with personalised feedback. Our simulation centres (including virtual reality and immersive rooms) will help you practise your clinical skills in a safe environment.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship course, you will be eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Learning Disabilities Nurse and will receive an undergraduate honours degree and apprenticeship certificate.

To find out more about the entry point for registered nursing associates, please contact fiona.edwards@uwl.ac.uk.

Find out more about the role of a Learning Disabilities nurse on the NHS website.

A nurse consulting with a patient in his home

Select a start date below to see relevant course information:

Start date:

View apprenticeships standards End Point Assessment
Requirements

Requirements

Requirements for apprentices

The entry requirements are as follows:

1. Eligibility (encompassing residency), Job Role and Sponsorship

You must:

  • provide evidence you meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules.
  • be employed in a health or social care organisation as a healthcare assistant or equivalent and be working full-time (minimum of 30hrs per week).
  • have a sponsoring manager and support from your employing organisation to ensure commitment (including release to attend off-the-job training). Your employer will also need to commit to your supernumerary status when undertaking practice placement blocks.

All apprenticeships starting from 1 August 2021:

Eligibility is subject to Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Apprenticeship Funding Rules. Over the duration of the apprenticeship, you must meet the eligibility requirements in place at the time, including:

  • Have the right to work and study in England
  • Spend at least 50% of your working time in England; and
  • Are a UK citizen and have been ordinarily resident for the last three years in the UK or meet one of the following immigration statuses:

UK and Irish Nationals: have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for the three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

EEA nationals: have either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA, Gibraltar, or the UK for at least the previous three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

*Non-EEA nationals: you are eligible if you have permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

* You must meet the UK government’s eligibility criteria for apprenticeship funding: 

Where an applicant for an apprenticeship does not hold a UK passport as a British citizen, these requirements state that you must have an immigration permission in the UK that allows you to study and will cover the length of the whole apprenticeship in full without you needing to extend your visa or immigration permission during the apprenticeship.

Please check the guidance for further clarification, particularly for information on:

  • Family members of UK and EEA nationals
  • Individuals with certain types of immigration status and their family members
  • Asylum seekers
  • Other immigration status.

You can also contact the Student Admissions Team admissions@uwl.ac.uk if you require further clarification.

2. Age

If you are aged under 18 years at the point of application, Admissions will check you will reach 18 years of age when you commence your first practice placement in year 1 of the apprenticeship (Level 4). Where you do not meet this requirement, you will be offered the opportunity to defer your application to the next available intake.

3. Academic requirements

You will hold:

  • 112 UCAS tariff points
  • Mathematics and English Language GCSE Grades 9-4 OR equivalent i.e. Functional Skills Mathematics and English Level 2 or ESFA compliant alternative

OR

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma in nursing/health or social care/science with a minimum of 60 credits (45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2), with a Merit/Distinction profile,
  • Mathematics and English Language GCSE Grades 9-4 OR equivalent i.e. Functional Skills Mathematics and English Level 2 or ESFA compliant alternative

You will usually have undertaken study within the last 5 years.

English and maths only

If you do not have evidence of maths and English qualifications that meet the Education and Skill Funding Agency requirements, you must achieve these before starting the apprenticeship.

For applicants living in London*, we offer free courses: open the door to new career possibilities with our free courses in Maths and English

*You must be able to meet the eligibility criteria.

If you have an overseas qualification, we will check this for its UK equivalency during your application and let you know what you may need to do to meet the requirement.

4. Evidence of character and health

All offers are subject to:

  • A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check*
  • Occupational health clearance*
  • A minimum of 1 satisfactory character reference from a suitable referee (i.e. line manager)*

*To be undertaken and funded by the employer. We will require confirmation that the required checks have been completed.

5. Motivation
  • You should demonstrate motivation, interest, and insight into the requirements of the apprenticeship and be able to clearly articulate a rationale for choosing learning disabilities nursing (to be evidenced via the individual interview).
6. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You are invited to apply for RPL to the course leader. A maximum of up to 50% of the apprenticeship can be RPLd (NMC, 2018 Part 3: Standards for pre-registration nursing programmes). All requests will need to be reviewed and ratified by us and approved by the associated external examiner, prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The overall course content is based on 7 key themes, which reflect the 7 Platforms in Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (NMC, 2018).

These are: 

  • Being an Accountable Professional
  • Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
  • Assessing Needs and Planning care
  • Providing and Evaluating Care
  • Leading and Managing Nursing Care and Working in Teams
  • Improving Safety and Quality of Care
  • Co-ordinating Care.

You can expect the learning, assessment and practice experiences to become more challenging as the apprenticeship progresses.

Compulsory modules

  • Personal Health and Wellbeing

    The aim of this module is to explore personal health and wellbeing and how this might impact on your ability to meet physical and mental health care needs.

  • Science Underpinning Safe and Effective Nursing Practice

    The aim of this module is to introduce the biological and behavioural sciences. This is related to health and wellbeing across the lifespan and knowledge and understanding in these areas applied to nursing care.

  • Understanding Health and Illness

    The aim of this module is to introduce key concepts of health and illness and the influences that impact on individual, family and population health and wellbeing. 

  • Accountability and Professional Leadership in Nursing Practice

    The aim of this module is to develop the self-awareness essential for practising with integrity and the ability to self-manage and develop practice. 

  • Foundations of Evidence for Nursing Practice

    The aim of this module is to introduce key knowledge and skills to support the identification, use and implementation of evidence to underpin nursing and healthcare interventions and professional practice. 

  • Part 1 Nursing Practice

    The aim of this module is to ensure you are able and ready to progress into the second year of the course. This will be achieved by field-specific experience in practice placements that include acute and/or community settings and which will be supervised and assessed by appropriately qualified and prepared clinical staff.

Compulsory modules

  • Personal Effectiveness for Professional Practice

    The aim of this module is to further develop personal effectiveness and apply critical reflexive skills to develop resilience in the context of current healthcare practice.

  • The Science of Nursing Decision-Making

    The aim of this module is to develop the knowledge and skills gained in Year 1 underpinning patient assessment, which informs clinical decision making.

  • The Health Promoting Nurse

    The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and skills to effectively promote health, emphasising the key role of the nurse as a health promoter. 

  • Evaluating Evidence for Translation into Nursing Practice

    The aim of this module is to develop the knowledge and skills required to locate and evaluate a body of research that explores clinical outcomes and/or patient experience. You will also assess the system and contextual issues that facilitate or hinder knowledge translation.

  • Leading and Managing Nursing Care

    The aim of this module is to develop an appreciation of the value of teamwork, and the skills to practice collaboratively to build and maintain relationships through professional networking and leadership. 

  • Part 2 Nursing Practice

    The aim is to ensure you are ready and able to progress into the third year of the course. This will be achieved by field-specific experience in practice placements that include acute and/or community settings and which will be supervised and assessed by appropriately qualified and prepared clinical staff.

Compulsory modules

  • Enhancing Professional Practice

    The aim of this module is to prepare you for your role as a registered nurse. You will develop and enhance the communication and procedural skills gained in years 1 and 2. The module links to the Semester 2 module Transitioning to Being a Registrant.

  • Art and Science of Person-Centred Care

    The aim of this module is to embed knowledge and skills and focus on increasing complexity in decision making. This to enable you to develop the confidence to involve and empower patients in shared decision making and the co-production of person-centred care.

  • Leading Innovation and Improvement in Nursing Practice

    You will develop your skills, knowledge and behaviour for management, leadership and innovation. This is the ‘dissertation’ module. 

  • Transitioning to Being a Registrant

    You will be able to transition from student to registered nurse in your final year and to practice as professionals within the NMC Code in a variety of health and social care environments.

  • Part 3 Nursing Practice

    This module ensures you meet the requirements for completion of the course and can register with the NMC as a nurse in your chosen field. This will be achieved by field-specific experience in practice placements that include acute and/or community settings and which will be supervised and assessed by appropriately qualified and prepared clinical staff.

Teaching & learning

Teaching & learning

A smiling nurse in scrubs

As an apprentice at UWL, you will be using the fantastic simulation facilities at either our West London (Brentford) or Berkshire Institute of Health (Reading) campus.

Simulation is integrated with both the theory and practice components of your apprenticeship. It is led by academic staff and may include practice partners and service users/carers. The use of simulation techniques will help to accelerate the development of your clinical skills, and offers you the opportunity to contextualise and apply your learning.

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018) is designed to:

  • prepare you for registration with the NMC as a nurse in your chosen field of practice, in line with the NMC Standards for Education and Training (NMC 2018), support you to achieve a degree level qualification and meet the requirements of the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018) ST0781.
  • enable you to manage and lead in contemporary and health and social care systems and have the decision-making skills required to make high level judgements and demonstrate the ability to be robust, flexible and innovative in the provision of high quality care and contribute to health care innovation. 
  • help you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be competent and job-ready to meet and sustain the needs of the healthcare economy both locally, nationally and internationally.
Students in a lecture theatre

This will be achieved through different styles of learning both within the University and through work-based learning in practice. You will take responsibility for your own learning through a structured and guided approach to personal and professional development (via CampusPress).

The teaching and learning methods employed will include:

  • blended learning (learning in the classroom; learning in practice and learning online)
  • learning in simulation and practice
  • learning from service users and carers
  • interprofessional Learning.
A female nurse talking to an elderly woman at home

Study mode

The BNursing (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing component will be delivered over three years, plus up to one month for the apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA).

Delivery of the apprenticeship will be in the form of full-time block release for three years, as such you will largely not be available to the employer for work (see below).

  • Employer blocks – 7 weeks per academic year. You will take your AL during this time, as per your contractual entitlement. For any remaining weeks you will be rostered as a member of staff.
  • Theory blocks – attending  study days at the University, which encompass scheduled personal tutor/assessment support time.
  • Practice blocks – the time spent in practice placement, which will encompass preparation for practice weeks. You will be supernumerary during this time.

You will undertake the following number of hours in practice placements: 

  • Year 1: 712.5 Practice Placement hours
  • Year 2: 750 Practice Placement hours
  • Year 3: 862.5 Practice Placement hours.

The UWL BNursing (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing component will consist of 17 compulsory modules focusing on theory and practice. You will be required to complete a minimum of 2,300 hours of theoretical learning and 2,325 hours of learning in practice.

Practice learning will take place in a wide variety of settings. You will be expected to work alongside your practice supervisor/assessor and work both day, weekend, night shifts and bank holidays, reflecting the shift patterns in the practice setting. This means you will experience care as it is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Two nursing students write notes

How you will be assessed

Assessment and feedback are a fundamental part of your learning experience. Our assessment strategy been designed to support and enhance your learning, capabilities, skills and confidence.

Assessments used may include:

  • reflective essays
  • a personal and professional development portfolio
  • presentations
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
  • essays
  • Practice Assessment Document (PAD) – assessment in practice
  • unseen examinations (multiple-choice and short answer)
  • case studies
  • literature reviews
  • simulated scenarios
  • peer assessment
  • service innovation projects.

We work closely with our practice partners to utilise authentic practice-based scenarios, which promote meaningful integration of theory and practice.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

The End Point Assessment (up to 1 month), consists of the UWL Award Board and following this, us putting forward eligible apprentices to the NMC.

Costs & fees

Costs & fees

Costs for apprentices

Although there are no tuition fees payable by you as an apprentice, additional costs may be incurred which are outside of the apprenticeship levy funding. Please discuss additional costs directly with your employer. 

It is important you consider any potential financial implications of commencing an apprenticeship course, prior to making an application. I.e. it may impact your ability to work as many unsociable hours as you would usually do/undertake bank work. Your employer will be able to provide more information regarding this, enabling you to make an informed decision.

Costs for employers

For employers, the costs of training your apprentice will usually be covered by the apprenticeship levy. Find out more about how apprenticeship funding works.

Please note, an apprentice must be paid for all their off-the-job learning i.e. study days and supernumerary practice learning hours.

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Regina Holley

Regina Holley

Course Leader for BSc Adult Nursing and Senior Lecturer in Health and Primary Care at the University of West London.

Course Leader for BSc Adult Nursing and Senior Lecturer in Health and Primary Care at the University of West London.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A nurse smiling at the camera

On successful completion you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the relevant field of practice (Learning Disabilities) and will be awarded the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018) Certificate.  

A career in learning disabilities nursing is exciting, rewarding and challenging with many varied opportunities for personal development and taking on diverse roles. Examples of areas in which you may be employed as a Band 5 registered learning disabilities nurse include:

  • urgent and emergency care
  • acute and critical care
  • long-term care
  • out of hospital care / community
  • care of older people
  • variety of specialities i.e. cancer care, neurology, stroke
  • outpatients.

With experience, as a registered nurse you may also decide to move into education, management or a clinical academic career. Registered nurses must be committed to lifelong learning, meeting the NMC requirements in relation to revalidation every three years, ensuring skills and knowledge remain up to date.

After successfully completing this apprenticeship, you may wish to consider higher levels of post-registration study at the postgraduate or doctoral level.

Contact us

Contact us

Janet is wearing a smart stripey jacket and black top. She has pink lipstick and red-brown hair and is facing towards the camera.

Janet Rowson, Director of Apprenticeships

Please get in touch with Janet Rowson to find out more about working with the University of West London as a training provider.

Please get in touch with Janet Rowson to find out more about working with the University of West London as a training provider.

More information