Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons)

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

Why choose this course?

Study this course and you'll become a registered learning disabilities nurse, ready to make a positive difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities. You'll study the factors that affect people's health and wellbeing, the health inequalities in our society and how we can improve health outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic spectrum conditions (ASC).

You'll explore the management of complex conditions across the lifespan, from children to the older person and those with dementia, or other mental or physical health needs.

You'll gain hands-on experience in our award-winning simulation suite and develop your skills and confidence in caring for people by working with the famous Baked Bean Theatre Company.

You'll also have the opportunity to be a part of the wider Learning Disability Nursing UK and Eire network and can attend the Positive Choices Learning Disability Conference.

This course is designed for a small and enthusiastic cohort of students, where you'll benefit from individual learning and support. You will be taught by our dynamic teaching team which includes leading researchers and experts in Learning Disability nursing from practice and the Department of Health.

Placement providers include South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust, Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust, Great Ormond Street, The Children's Trust, and The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

NHS Training Grant 

Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.

Salutem Learning Disability Nursing/Social Work Scholarship

Healthcare organisation Salutem is offering a scholarship for one Learning Disability Nursing or Social Work student which will cover the full value of the undergraduate tuition fees, together with a maintenance grant for the full three years. See more information about this scholarship here.

Apply for this course
Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
3 years full time B763 2025

Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.

Main Location Kingston Hill
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • We are top in London for Nursing (The Times Good University Guide 2025).
  • We are ranked in the top 10 in the UK for General Nursing (Guardian University Guide 2025).
  • Our expert academics are involved in research and shaping the future of learning disabilities nursing nationally.
  • We won two awards at the 2023 Student Nursing Times Awards, including Teaching Innovation of the Year for our simulated public health elective. This was part of our annual student nursing electives programme, which was also nominated for the Best Student Experience award, where students are supported to organise their own national or international placement of their choosing.
  • Our students have been finalists in the Student Nursing Times Awards from 2012 to 2021, with Jessica Ball winning 'Learning Disabilities Nurse of the Year' in 2022.

What you will study

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

You will develop your skills in caring for people with a learning disability, learning alongside students of adult, child and mental health nursing.

Core modules

Applied Life Sciences for Nursing Practice

30 credits

This module is designed to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology in relation to nursing, which is an essential element of nursing proficiency.

Pathophysiology will be explored in relation to common conditions and you will also begin to develop your knowledge of pharmacological concepts in preparation for therapeutic interventions explored in Year 2.

The main features of the module are to enable you to apply scientific principles to nursing care. It will also support you to identify and understand current nursing practices underpinned by scientific theory.

Introduction to Learning Disabilities Nursing

60 credits

This module introduces you to the context of learning disability nursing practice across a range of care settings. You will be introduced to The Code (NMC, 2018) to gain knowledge and understanding of its importance in guiding the learning disability nurse to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care in partnership with families, carers and other healthcare professionals. You will explore the skills and knowledge needed to safeguard vulnerable people, optimise the quality of care and enhance the experience of people accessing healthcare.

Public Health

30 credits

This module is a core requirement for all students across all fields of the BSc/MSci Nursing programmes. As an introductory module, it will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of public health and health promotion. You will explore the global, social-political-economic and psycho-social forces on the population's health and well-being. In addition, you will explore the evolution of public health, the determinants of health and health inequalities.

Practice Assessment Module 1

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills.

In Year 2, you can develop your community nursing skills on our Alternative Practice Programme. Working in teams, you will explore topics such as mental health and wellbeing and nutrition and sustainability, and prepare a presentation.

Core modules

Providing and Evaluating Evidence Based Care with People with Learning Disabilities

30 credits

This module focuses on assessment and care planning as part of the nursing process. You will explore health inequalities and the impact on people with a learning disability across the lifespan. You will apply person-centred inclusive approaches to assess and plan care with people with learning disabilities, and their families and care workers, within legal and ethical frameworks. The skills and knowledge for assessment and planning will be explored within a framework of work place culture, using evidence-based models.

Health and Wellbeing of People with Learning Disabilities

30 credits

This module explores some of the most common health needs that impact people with a learning disability. It considers how we define health and wellbeing, and how learning disabilities nurses can support people who use services to maintain good wellbeing. It considers health across the life span, and across a spectrum of conditions of which learning disability is part. You will learn about digital safety, and how this contributes to wellbeing. You will practise applying the social determinants of health to case studies and vignettes of people with a learning disability, based on contributions from experts by experience. You will also learn about the health inequalities that people with a learning disability experience. You will also begin to consider the intersectionality between learning disability and the social determinants of health. This will enable you to plan care in inclusive, co-produced ways.

Evidence-Based Healthcare for Nursing Practice

30 credits

This module will provide you with the requisite skills and knowledge to understand the principles of evidence-based healthcare and how to apply them effectively to your clinical practice. The concepts and skills you will learn include those used to search for, review and critique evidence. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 2 of your programme, through skills and simulated practice learning activities. A key element of this will be developing an understanding of the digital technologies used for enhancing care in line with contemporary healthcare policy.

Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

15 credits

This module will provide you with the foundational pharmacological and medicines management knowledge to enable you to safely develop your skills and knowledge in the administration of medicines to clients, patients and service users. You will develop your understanding of the regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks that influence medicines management and the underlying pharmacological science. Issues such as concordance will be explored, and the skills required to access resources to support medicines management practice. Embedded within the module is simulated practice learning that will support the development of your clinical skills related to medicines management.

Option module

Option Module

15 credits

In Year 2 of the course, you will have the opportunity to undertake an option module. Examples of modules available include: Global Health, Wound Management, Child and Adolescent Mental Health. You will be provided with details of all modules available at the beginning of Year 2 so you can make your decision.

In Year 3 you will explore the management of complex conditions across the lifespan (e.g. children, transition, adulthood, the older person and those with dementia or other mental or physical health needs). You will be prepared for the transition to professional practice and employability. You will develop skills in management, leadership, team working and teaching and supporting learners. You will learn how to critically appraise evidence to support future practice and explore complexities of nursing and service provision across health and social care organisations.

Core modules

Becoming a Registrant

60 credits

This module aims to explore the key areas that will enable you to transition and fulfil the role of a registered nurse. The module is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice by further developing your knowledge and skills to enable you to be an accountable and compassionate registrant within the health and social care system. It focuses on the mechanisms that underpin care organisation and delivery, how nurses are integral to and can influence this and aims to develop your critical understanding of the factors influencing the environment in which you will be working. The role of politics in health and social care policy is critically explored and the module will provide you with the opportunities to explore these issues through a social justice lens.

Collaborative learning and teaching in practice

30 credits

This module focuses on the collaborative learning and teaching of peers, people and families/carers. You will integrate your knowledge of learning theories, communication and relational skills to enable you to work collaboratively with others, critically reflecting on the challenges this can pose. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will have the opportunity to critically discuss inter and intra professional working alongside developing strategies for managing challenging communication. Your clinical communication skills will be refined building on your learning from previous modules, and you will have the opportunity to explore best practice approaches to communication for supporting people their families and carers in preventing ill health and managing their care.

Complex Care for Learning Disabilities Nursing

30 credits

This module will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for their future leadership role in coordinating and managing the complex needs of people with a learning disability across a range of organisations and settings. The module explores the complex role of the learning disability nurse, working as a specialist, to enrich the quality of life of people with learning disabilities. Experts from lived experience will be involved in the learning and teaching, supporting students through a range of complex case studies and current socio economical and workforce challenges. You will build on their knowledge of partnership and collaborative working and examine the cultural, political, psychosocial and technological influences on nursing care, resource management and finances.

Leading care in Learning Disabilities Nursing

30 credits

Navigating the transition from student to a professional practitioner who is skilled at leading teams is critically important to the delivery of safe, effective and high quality health care. This module is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice by expanding your knowledge and skills to enable you to be an accountable and compassionate leader within the health and social care system. It focuses on leadership, team working, and performance management and enables learning disability nursing students to reflect on their transition to registered practice and build the evidence base for a career development portfolio. Some sessions will be shared across fields as they are core for all fields.

Practice Assessment Module 3

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

Learn employability-enhancing Future Skills
A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2025

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

GCSE at grade 4 or above (or grade C or above for GCSEs taken before 2017) in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent qualification, such as Functional/Key skills Level 2 in numeracy and literacy.

Enhanced DBS check and Occupational Health Clearance. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

The typical requirement for entry for this course is 112-128 UCAS points, Health and Science subjects preferred:

  • A-levels BBC
  • BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit
  • Access to HE course to value of 112 UCAS points normally achieved with 21 Distinctions and 18 Merits

Typical offer 2024

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

GCSE at grade 4 or above (or grade C or above for GCSEs taken before 2017) in English Language and Mathematics (Science also preferred) or equivalent qualification, such as Functional/Key skills Level 2 in numeracy and literacy; Level 2 Applied Science.

GCSE Science grade 4 or above (formerly A*-C) is not required from Access students undertaking a science or health-based access course.

Enhanced DBS check and Occupational Health Clearance. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

The typical requirement for entry for this course is 112-128 UCAS points, Health and Science subjects preferred:

  • A-levels BBC
  • BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit
  • Access to HE course to value of 112 UCAS points normally achieved with 21 Distinctions and 18 Merits

Additional requirements

  • Wherever possible candidates are encouraged to gain practical work experience in a care setting prior to undertaking the programme.
  • All suitable applicants are required to attend an online interview. This includes a series of short value-based questions, tasks or scenarios. 
  • Admission is subject to occupational health screening and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check including checks against the Adult and Child Workforce Barring lists if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

Alternative routes

We welcome a wide range of qualifications and qualification combinations to the value of 112 UCAS points. We assess each application individually, taking into account any experience and skills you may have in your chosen field. Typical other routes include:

  • Foundation degree in related programmes 50%
  • International Baccalaureate 26 points
  • FETAC Level 5 Merit in all modules
  • Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered, such as applicants with a relevant Foundation Degree (e.g. Nursing Associate, Healthcare Practice). A maximum of 50% of the programme can be RPL'd (more than 50% can be RPL'd if an applicant is currently registered with the NMC as a registered nurse).

International

We welcome applications from International Applicants. Non-native speakers who do not have the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4 (formerly grade C) (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 Literacy) require an Academic IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.

It may also include placements, project work, practical sessions, workshops, conferences and field trips.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.

One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.

  • Year 1: 53% scheduled learning and teaching
  • Year 2: 79% scheduled learning and teaching
  • Year 3: 62% scheduled learning and teaching

The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.

Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed

Types of assessment

  • Year 1: Coursework 50%; exams 25%; practical exam 25%
  • Year 2: Coursework 50%; exams 25%; practical exam 25%
  • Year 3: Coursework 75%; practical exam 25%

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Course fees and funding

2025/26 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'Overseas' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,535*
International Year 1 (2025/26): £18,800
Year 2 (2026/27): £19,600
Year 3 (2027/28): £20,400

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'Overseas' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International Year 1 (2024/25): £18,100
Year 2 (2025/26): £18,800
Year 3 (2026/27): £19,600

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Funding

NHS Training Grant 

Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.

Salutem Scholarship

Healthcare organisation Salutem is offering scholarships for Learning Disability Nursing students which will cover the full value of the tuition fees, together with a maintenance grant for the full three years. See more information about the scholarship here.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees; this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

Placement expenses for travel and accommodation may be reimbursed by NHS Bursaries where, for example, the requirement exceeds that of attending university; or requires additional accommodation to that of the usual term time location. These expenses may need to be covered initially by the student before any applicable reimbursement is received. Please note: EU and international students may not be eligible for support for travel and accommodation.

Uniform and equipment

We provide you with a uniform. You will need to purchase appropriate shoes (£20-£60) and a fob watch (£5-£20) for practice. If you want additional uniform items, they are available for purchase.

Elective clinical placements

Subject to eligibility and approval by the Faculty, students are able to arrange their own elective clinical placements either in the UK or overseas. Students are required to make the necessary arrangements for any electives, including costs such as travel, accommodation, visas and additional vaccinations.

DBS check

The University pays for the processing of the application which is £51 but students are expected to pay a small fee (approximately £7) to the Post Office to get their ID documents verified and £13 per year for subscribing to the Update Service. This subscription allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to students' DBS.

Occupational health

You will need to fill out an Occupational Health Form. In some cases, we will require extra information and may ask you to get your GP to complete a routine screening form. All GPs have their own policies on charging fees for completion of these reports. The minimum fee recommended by the BMA is £30. Some GPs will not charge you for completion of the form but some GP surgeries are unable to make exceptions and will charge you the standard rate for their practice (in some cases this can be £50 or more). Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for fees charged by their GP.

The majority of the required vaccinations should be free from your GP or via the NHS. Our Occupational Health Service will see you in the first two weeks of the course to ensure you have obtained the necessary vaccinations and will undertake any vaccinations/screening tests you have missed. Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for any fees charged by their GP or other vaccination providers for vaccinations incurring a cost. If you are being charged for a vaccination we would suggest that you wait until you start the course where you will be able to obtain the vaccination at no cost to yourself.

Membership and professional fees

Professional body membership fees whilst on course are approximately £10. Nursing and Midwifery Council registration fees, once qualified, are currently £120 for the year.

Facilities

You will be taught by the Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills Team, learning clinical skills fundamental to deliver high-quality care to patients in all fields of nursing within clinical, community and practice health settings.

You will take part in award-winning innovative simulations with role players and full body manikins that provide unprecedented opportunities to acquire, develop and maintain the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours needed for safe and effective patient care.

Facilities

Links with business and industry

We have a range of practice partners for learning disability nursing from the NHS, private, independent and voluntary sector including: 

  • The Children's Trust

  • Great Ormond Street

  • London Boroughs of Croydon, Haringey, Hounslow, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  • Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

  • Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

  • South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust

  • Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

  • Your Healthcare

After you graduate

Our highly-sought-after graduates work as specialist nurses (in areas such as epilepsy), nurse therapists, community nurses and in senior management.

Type of jobs on qualifying

  • Staff nurse learning disability
  • Clinical health team for people with a learning disability
  • Community nurse learning disability

Types of organisations

  • London Borough of Sutton
  • The Children's Trust
  • Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
  • South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
  • St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Your Healthcare
  • The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney

Accreditation

This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in nursing. On completion of the programme, students are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration.  

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.