MNSW (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing & Social Work

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edge Hill University

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and want a career that combines hands-on care with social advocacy, the MNSW (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing & Social Work at Edge Hill University is an ideal choice. This four-year integrated programme prepares you to register as a learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and to apply for registration as a social worker with Social Work England, giving you two professional pathways to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Building Your Foundations
In your first year, you’ll get to know nursing and social work as distinct but complementary professions, setting the groundwork for your future practice. Modules such as Contemporary Nursing and Contemporary Social Work introduce professional values and ethical practice, while Foundation Science, Theory and Method in Nursing and Social Work and Foundations for Integrated Practice give you essential knowledge of anatomy, psychosocial principles, and early practical skills for placements.

Year 2 – Bringing Theory into Practice
Year two helps you apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings. Through modules like Adults Within an Integrated Health and Social Care Context, Children, Young People and Their Families Within an Integrated Health and Social Care Context, Developing Capability for Integrated Practice, and Law and Policy in Nursing and Social Work, you’ll explore ethical, legal, and practical aspects of care while gaining hands-on experience in placements.

Year 3 – Tackling Complexity and Using Evidence
In year three, you’ll explore more complex challenges in health and social care, including supporting people with learning disabilities in diverse contexts. Modules like Aspects of International Health and Social Care, Enhancing Confidence and Capability for Integrated Practice, Research Methods in Health and Social Care, and Working with Complexity in Health and Social Care help you develop professional judgment and apply evidence-based approaches in your practice.

Year 4 – Professional Practice and Leadership
Your final year brings extended placements and leadership-focused learning. Modules such as Achieving Competence and Proficiency for Professional Registration, Leadership in Integrated Health and Social Care, and the MNSW Dissertation allow you to consolidate your skills, demonstrate professional decision-making, and complete a substantial research or practice project, preparing you for both nursing and social work careers.

Focus areas: learning disabilities nursing, holistic assessment, social work intervention, integrated care approaches, law and policy, leadership in health and social care

Learning outcomes: person-centred care, dual professional competence in nursing and social work, ethical and legal practice, critical and reflective professional judgement

Professional alignment (accreditation): Eligible to register as a learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and apply for registration as a social worker with Social Work England

Reputation (employability rankings): Delivered in partnership with the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership, this degree meets national professional standards and equips graduates for highly valued roles in health and social care

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the MNSW (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing & Social Work degree at Edge Hill University, you’ll gain as much hands-on experience as you do academic knowledge. From early on, you’ll take part in professional practice placements across a variety of health and social care settings — including NHS services, community teams, and voluntary organisations — working alongside qualified nurses and social workers to support people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers. On campus, the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre provides lifelike environments such as mock wards, consultation rooms, and community care suites, complete with full-body patient simulators, so you can practise clinical and communication skills before heading out on placement. Seminars, tutorials, and technology-enhanced sessions help you connect theory to real-life care scenarios, building your confidence and professional skills step by step.

Here’s how your practical learning is structured to prepare you for your future career:

Professional Practice Placements: Spend meaningful time in real health and social care settings, applying your skills with service users of all ages and working within multidisciplinary teams.
Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre: Practise essential nursing procedures and care situations in realistic simulated spaces — from wards and consultation rooms to community care areas — using advanced equipment and full-body patient simulators.
Multidisciplinary Learning Activities: Participate in group workshops and case discussions through the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership, mirroring real integrated practice across nursing and social work.
Simulated and Technology-Enhanced Sessions: Reinforce theory, sharpen clinical reasoning, and prepare for a variety of scenarios with a mix of digital tools, simulations, lectures, and seminars.
Guided Reflection and Professional Development: Receive support from practice assessors and educators throughout placements and simulations, helping you reflect on your learning, strengthen communication skills, and meet professional standards.
Campus Learning Resources: Access the Catalyst library and study spaces to prepare for placements, research case studies, and link academic learning with real-world practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MNSW (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing & Social Work programme at Edge Hill University opens up a wide range of meaningful career opportunities. You’ll be prepared to support people with learning disabilities and their families in both health and social care settings, with many graduates going on to roles such as Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse, Social Worker, Community Care Coordinator, Safeguarding Lead, Policy and Practice Advocate, or Integrated Health Practitioner. This dual qualification gives you the skills and confidence to make a real difference in people’s lives:

Tailored careers support: Edge Hill’s Careers team helps you with CVs, interview preparation, job alerts, and networking opportunities so you can move smoothly from study into your professional life.
Strong graduate prospects: Related nursing and social work degrees at Edge Hill consistently see high rates of graduates securing skilled employment within 15 months of finishing, reflecting the real-world relevance of your training.
Salary outlook: Graduates in nursing and related health and social care fields typically earn around £28,000+ in the first year, with opportunities to progress further as you specialise or take on leadership roles.
Valued partnerships: Learning through the Cheshire & Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership connects you with NHS, local authority, and voluntary sector organisations, giving you experience and professional networks that boost employability.
Accreditation that counts: On graduation, you’ll be eligible to register as a learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and apply to register as a social worker with Social Work England, giving you two recognised professional qualifications.
Meaningful outcomes: Graduates report working in roles that align with their studies and values, showing how your learning translates directly into real-world impact and career satisfaction.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you complete this dual professional degree, you can take your learning further with postgraduate study in areas like Advanced Practice, Leadership in Health and Social Care, Child Protection, or Integrated Care Management. These pathways can open doors to senior clinical, research, teaching, policy, or management roles, and both professional bodies provide opportunities for ongoing career development throughout your working life.