Children's and Learning Disabilities Nursing MSci

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

The Children’s and Learning Disabilities Nursing MSci at Kingston University is a four-year integrated master’s degree that prepares you for dual professional registration in both children’s and learning disabilities nursing. You’ll combine university-based study, hands-on simulation training, and real clinical placements, giving you the confidence and skills to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to children, young people, and individuals with learning disabilities in a variety of healthcare and community settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of nursing practice
Your first year is all about building a strong foundation. Introduction to Nursing introduces you to nursing across different healthcare settings and essential clinical skills, while Applied Life Sciences for Nursing Practice helps you understand human anatomy, physiology, and common health conditions. You’ll also explore Public Health to see how wider social and environmental factors affect wellbeing, and begin applying your knowledge through Practice Assessment Module 1 placements and reflective activities.

Year 2 – Evidence, community care and specialist approaches
In Year 2, you’ll start focusing on evidence-based practice and specialist care for children and people with learning disabilities. Contemporary Public Health and Community Nursing for Children and Young People explores health issues in families, schools, and communities, while Providing and Evaluating Evidence-Based Care with People with Learning Disabilities teaches you how to plan and adapt care for individual needs. You’ll also develop clinical decision-making skills in Pharmacology for Nursing Practice and Evidence-Based Healthcare for Nursing Practice, alongside continued placement experience in Practice Assessment Module 2.

Year 3 – Complex care and leadership in dual fields
Year 3 brings more advanced practice and leadership skills. Caring for Children and Young People with Acute Healthcare Needs focuses on managing complex physical and emotional care, while Delivering Complex Care for Learning Disabilities Nursing deepens your specialist knowledge. Leading Care for Nursing prepares you to take on leadership and teamwork responsibilities, and Practice Assessment Module 3 continues your supervised clinical experience.

Year 4 – Professional registration readiness and independent study
In your final year, you’ll consolidate your professional skills and prepare for registration as a nurse. Becoming a Registrant focuses on accountability, care organisation, and leadership, while Complex Care for Children and Young People’s Nursing helps you coordinate advanced care. The Independent Study Module allows you to explore a topic that reflects your personal interests and future career aspirations in healthcare.

Focus areas: children’s and learning disabilities nursing, public health and community care, evidence-based practice, complex and acute care, leadership, professional transition

Learning outcomes: develop holistic assessment and care planning skills across dual fields, apply evidence-based practice in varied settings, work effectively with families and multidisciplinary teams, lead and adapt care delivery, and transition confidently into professional nursing practice

Professional alignment: successful graduates are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for dual professional registration, enabling you to work as a registered nurse in both specialist areas

Reputation: Kingston University is ranked No.1 in London for Nursing and Midwifery in The Complete University Guide 2026 and top in London for Children’s Nursing in The Guardian University Guide 2026, reflecting excellent teaching, clinical preparation, and graduate outcomes

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, learning goes beyond the classroom from day one. This programme gives you plenty of hands-on experience so you can develop real nursing skills and confidence before graduating. You’ll work with patients, families, and healthcare teams in a variety of settings, and practise techniques in simulated environments that closely mirror real hospitals and community care. Group projects, reflective exercises, and guided practice help you grow both professionally and personally, preparing you for a successful nursing career.

Your practical learning is supported through:

Simulation and Clinical Skills Suite where you can practise procedures, communication, and decision-making in a safe, realistic environment.
Structured Clinical Placements in hospitals, community settings, children’s services, and learning disabilities care, giving you direct experience of patient care and teamwork.
National and International Elective Opportunities allowing you to gain experience abroad or in other UK regions, broadening your understanding of global healthcare.
Blended Learning Experiences including workshops, group projects, and reflective activities, supported by Kingston’s digital learning platform and academic resources.
Partnerships with Leading NHS and Healthcare Providers such as Great Ormond Street, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier, Chelsea and Westminster, and the Children’s Trust, giving you access to top-quality placements.

These experiences help you build the skills, confidence, and professional understanding you need to excel in nursing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Children’s and Learning Disabilities Nursing MSci at Kingston gives you the confidence and skills to start a rewarding nursing career with dual professional registration. You’ll be ready to work in a range of roles such as staff nurse (paediatrics), school nurse, health visitor, neonatal nurse, A&E paediatric nurse, or learning disabilities nurse, giving you flexibility to find the path that suits you best. This degree equips you with hands-on experience, professional knowledge, and the confidence to thrive in hospitals, community care, and specialist settings.

Kingston supports your career journey in many ways:

Careers and Employability Support: Personalised guidance, CV and interview preparation, workshops, and networking opportunities help you explore different nursing paths and secure your first roles.
Strong Employment and Salary Prospects: Nursing graduates from Kingston typically see around 93 per cent employed or in further study within 15 months, with early-career salaries around £31,000, reflecting strong opportunities in the profession.
Industry Partnerships: Placements and connections with leading healthcare providers like Great Ormond Street, St George’s, Croydon University Hospital, Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust, and the Children’s Trust help you gain experience and build professional networks.
Long-Term Accreditation: The MSci leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in both children’s and learning disabilities nursing, a qualification recognised across the UK and internationally.
Graduate Outcomes: Kingston nursing graduates are highly sought after, securing positions in acute hospitals, community services, and specialist care, giving you excellent starting points for your career.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree and starting your career as a registered nurse, you can continue your studies through postgraduate options such as Master’s degrees in advanced clinical practice, healthcare leadership, specialist nursing roles, or healthcare education and research. These pathways open doors to senior clinical roles, specialist practice, leadership positions, teaching, or research, helping you make an even greater impact in health and social care.