BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edge Hill University

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and want a nursing career where you can make a real difference, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities) at Edge Hill University is the perfect fit. This course blends hands-on clinical experience with supportive, evidence-based learning, preparing you to care confidently for individuals across a variety of health and social care settings.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Building the foundations of nursing
In your first year, you’ll learn the essential skills and knowledge every learning disability nurse needs. Modules like The Foundations of Nursing Practice and Professional and Personal Concepts introduce you to holistic care, communication, and the biological and psychosocial principles that underpin safe nursing practice. You’ll also begin early, supervised placements to experience real-world care and start developing professional confidence.

Year 2 – Developing confidence and clinical skills
Year two focuses on refining your clinical abilities and understanding the wider needs of people with learning disabilities. Through modules such as Developing Proficiencies for Nursing, you’ll learn to assess, plan, and evaluate care, support transitions, and promote health, all while completing more complex placements in hospitals, community services, and social care environments.

Year 3 – Preparing for professional practice
In your final year, you’ll consolidate your skills and knowledge to become a confident, reflective registered nurse. Advanced modules and extended placements allow you to tackle complex care scenarios, strengthen your decision-making, and gain the leadership and professional skills needed for a successful career.

Focus areas: learning disability assessment, holistic care planning, health promotion, transition support, interdisciplinary practice

Learning outcomes: deliver safe, person-centred care; advanced assessment, planning, and evaluation skills; professional communication and decision-making

Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling you to register as a qualified learning disability nurse on graduation

Reputation (employability rankings): Edge Hill’s nursing programmes are highly regarded for strong practical training and excellent graduate outcomes, with many students securing roles across NHS, social care, and community services

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Edge Hill University, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities) program is designed so you gain practical, hands-on experience from the very start. Around half of your time is spent on professional practice placements in NHS services, community care teams, and social care settings, giving you real-world experience supporting people with learning disabilities under the guidance of experienced nurses. On campus, the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre offers realistic environments — from mock wards and home care suites to consultation rooms and emergency scenarios — where you can practise assessments, communication, and care procedures safely before stepping into placements. These experiences, combined with digital learning tools and enquiry-based activities, help you build confidence, decision-making skills, and professional judgment:

Professional Practice Placements: Gain hands-on experience across NHS hospitals, community services, and care settings, working with people with learning disabilities and learning to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre: Practice essential nursing skills in realistic simulated environments, including wards, consultation rooms, and the Better at Home suite, using full-body patient simulators to build confidence before clinical placements.
Simulation Debriefing and Reflection: Reflect on your performance in guided sessions with tutors and peers to improve clinical reasoning, decision-making, and communication skills.
Interprofessional Learning: Work alongside students from other health and social care programs in group activities and simulations to strengthen teamwork skills essential in real practice.
Technology-Enhanced Learning: Use digital tools and interactive resources to support your understanding of assessment, care planning, and evidence-based practice.
Campus Learning Resources: Access the Catalyst library and study spaces to prepare for placements, research clinical topics, and connect theory with practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities) at Edge Hill University prepares you to step confidently into a rewarding career supporting people with learning disabilities across hospitals, community services, and specialist care settings. Many graduates go on to work as Registered Learning Disability Nurses, Community Learning Disability Nurses, Specialist Practice Nurses, Healthcare Team Leaders, Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners, or Acute Liaison Nurses, putting their skills and compassion into practice every day:

Careers support from day one: Edge Hill’s Careers team offers personalised guidance, help with CVs and interviews, access to job opportunities, and professional networking advice to help you start your career smoothly.
Strong employment outcomes: Around 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with most taking up skilled nursing roles in health and social care.
Salary prospects: Early-career learning disabilities nurses can expect earnings of around £28,500, with opportunities to increase pay as you gain experience and specialise.
Valued professional placement experience: Hands-on placements in NHS, community, and care settings help you build networks and demonstrate your skills to future employers.
Accreditation with lifelong value: Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this degree allows you to register as a qualified learning disability nurse in the UK, giving you a professional licence that supports long-term career growth.
Meaningful graduate outcomes: Many graduates find work that feels personally rewarding and closely aligned with the skills and values developed on the course.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree, you can continue to specialise and grow through postgraduate study, such as a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice, Leadership in Healthcare, or specialist pathways in Learning Disabilities Practice. These routes can lead to senior clinical, research, teaching, or management roles, helping you make an even greater impact in your field.