Nursing (Learning Disabilities) Direct Entry

This programme is a holistic learning experience, enabling students to become emotionally resilient and transformational Registered Nurses, equipped to meet the unique challenges of Learning Disabilities Nursing. This is a full-time 18-month course for applicants who already hold a Foundation Degree and are Registered Nursing Associates.

Learning disability nurses work to provide specialist healthcare and support to people with a learning disability, as well as their families and staff teams, to help them live a fulfilling life. If you’re caring and compassionate, with exceptional communication skills and a real passion for helping people, this programme is for you. On successful application, students will develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding about Learning Disabilities Nursing and recognise the principles of nursing across all fields and across the lifespan.  Modules provide the foundation for students to develop a compassionate professionalism whereby they are trusted in the care they provide. Learning will be facilitated through a range of classroom-based activities, skills laboratories and by electronic means such as online learning, web-based training and technology-delivered instruction.    

Expertise to inspire you  

You'll be supported by enthusiastic and dedicated academic staff who are immersed in their areas of practice and committed to supporting you at every stage of your studies. All academic staff are current NMC registered professionals with some continuing to work in clinical practice alongside their teaching role.  The academic team includes renowned professionals whose work features regularly in leading journals and books and who help shape national policies.  

This course is mapped against the NMC standards to ensure that your learning is up to date and relevant. In delivering the programme, we respond to national changes such as the latest government policies. As a result, some of the information about the course may change.  

Wide-ranging placement experience  

A compulsory part of the course is practice learning which equates to 50% of the overall programme in line with the NMC standards (NMC, 2018). Students must complete a range of placements to meet the minimum hours requirement for practice learning and to support the application of theory to practice.   

Practice learning is achieved through a variety of placement experiences to enable you to gain essential practical experience by participating in 24-hour care, including weekends and bank holidays. Throughout, you'll benefit from the support of Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors who will help you get as much out of the experience as possible.   

Students experience a wide variety of simulated learning activities throughout the programme to prepare for the real world of nursing. This also ensures students continually link theory to practice and feel supported for entering the clinical environment.  

First-class facilities

Our state-of-the-art facilities include a clinical skills suite built to professional standards, with replica wards, counselling rooms and treatment rooms fully equipped with the latest resources.

As health care is increasingly delivered by multi professional teams, we offer opportunities for you to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines. This is really important in preparing you to work in more flexible ways after graduation. By learning to work together, you can help achieve the best outcomes for patients and service users.  

You will participate in learning that is specific to your field but is also co-taught across the four fields of nursing. There is opportunity to study at different academic levels to learn with, and from each other. This provides opportunity to meet the NMC standards whilst replicating professional relationships that you will encounter in clinical practice.   

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you’re assessed

There are a diverse range of authentic assessments within the programme. Assessments are aligned to module learning outcomes and support students to build academic skill and professional development. Assessment feedback and feedforward mechanisms encourage dialogue, provide action plans, and utilise academic, student, and practice support staff where required. This ensures that students are fit for practice, purpose, award, and professional standing on completion of the award.   

Each assessment within the programme has the following underpinning characteristics:  

• Each assessment has value and distinct relevance to professional nursing practice.  
• They support development and progression through the programme.   
• Each assessment focuses on supporting students to meet the NMC standards for registration.    
• They support the application of theory to practice.   
• The assessment process is transparent, and students receive timely and constructive feedback to support their success.  

Assessment of practice learning is recorded in the Practice Assessment Document (MYEPAD), which is designed to support and guide students towards successfully achieving the criteria set out in the Future nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and Standards for Education and Training (NMC 2018).  The MYEPAD is a regionally validated document developed collaboratively with other local universities. The University of Derby continues to work in partnership to support a consistent approach to student supervision and assessment.    

Who you will meet  

You will be taught by qualified health professionals with extensive experience of nursing and leadership roles. They have proven, sustained track records in higher education teaching, with most holding Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy.  

Our staff keep up to date with latest developments in the sector by undertaking continuing professional development as part of their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.  

Research is an integral part of our work and we make key contributions to the University’s Health and Social Care Research Centre. There may even be opportunities for you to work alongside our researchers to gain an insight into the value of research.  

The teaching team is supported by ‘experts by experience’ – leading practitioners who regularly share their knowledge in teaching sessions at the University, together with clinical staff from our placement providers.  

2024 entry

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

• FdSc Nursing Associate (or equivalent)
• Current NMC registration as a Nursing Associate
• Applicants must complete an occupational health assessment check as part of the selection process and any offer made will be subject to this

Additional entry requirements

• Interview: Yes view interview details
• An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

Applicants must complete an occupational health assessment and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the selection process and any offer made will be subject to these.    

Applicants must submit supplementary evidence using the Recognition of Prior Learning template as part of the application process. This is to evidence: relevant qualifications, NMC registration (via PIN number), evidence of completed theory and practice hours, practice experience and to provide an academic reference to detail how they meet the professional requirements of the programme.

After application submission and providing all entry requirements and initial evidence is satisfactory, suitable candidates may then be required to attend an interview as part of the professional Recognition of Prior Learning requirements of this Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) approved programme.    

Non-submission of a fully completed Recognition of Prior Learning form and/or non-attendance will result in your application being withdrawn.   

Please contact the programme team to discuss if you have any queries about your education/work experience. 

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered where evidence has been provided on completion of the supplementary evidence. After application submission and providing all entry requirements and initial evidence is satisfactory, suitable candidates may then be required to attend an interview as part of the professional Recognition of Prior Learning requirements of this Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) approved programme. Non-attendance will result in your application being withdrawn.   

2024/25

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Apply directly to the University

Employability  

On completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC link) in their field of practice. Students have five years to register their award with the Nursing and Midwifery Council following completion of the programme. A variety of careers and career pathways are open to Registered Nurses and may choose to work in hospitals, community services, primary care services, mental health services, children’s services, learning disability services, general practice, and private, voluntary, and independent services across the NHS or other health and care organisations.   

Further Study 

Graduates of the programme may wish to return to academic study, further developing their skills and knowledge to undertake a range of specialist or advanced roles.  There is a wide offer of post-registration provision within the College of Health, Psychology, and Social Care, and many students chose to return to the University of Derby for postgraduate study, both at masters and doctoral level and for continuing professional development.   

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

† Additional information about your studies

This course is available from January 2025.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

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