Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

If you are passionate about making a real difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities, Kingston University London’s Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons) is built for you. This programme combines classroom study with simulated clinical practice and real placements, helping you develop empathy, practical nursing skills and specialist knowledge needed to provide life-enhancing care. You will also receive a five thousand pound per year, non-repayable NHS Training Grant to support your studies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations in learning disability nursing
In your first year, you will begin to understand the broad context of nursing for people with learning disabilities and gain essential clinical knowledge. Introduction to Learning Disabilities Nursing introduces you to safe, compassionate care and the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code, while Applied Life Sciences for Nursing Practice builds your knowledge of anatomy, physiology and basic pharmacology that underpins effective care. You will also study Public Health to explore health inequalities and the determinants of wellbeing and start practical skill development in Practice Assessment Module 1 through reflective clinical experiences.

Year 2 – Person-centred practice and evidence application
In your second year, the focus shifts to supporting health and wellbeing across the lifespan for people with learning disabilities. Health and Wellbeing of People with Learning Disabilities helps you understand how holistic care can reduce inequality and promote wellbeing, while Providing and Evaluating Evidence-Based Care teaches you how to assess and plan care that is inclusive and legally sound. You will also progress your evidence-based practice skills in Evidence-Based Healthcare for Nursing Practice and develop safe medicines knowledge in Pharmacology for Nursing Practice, alongside choosing an optional module to broaden your perspectives.

Year 3 – Complex care, leadership and transition to practice
Your final year brings together knowledge, skills and professional readiness. Complex Care for Learning Disabilities Nursing challenges you to coordinate care for those with multifaceted needs, while Leading Care in Learning Disabilities Nursing helps you build leadership, teamwork and critical decision-making. Becoming a Registrant prepares you for life as a registered nurse, covering accountability, professional practice and navigating the healthcare environment, and Collaborative Learning and Teaching in Practice strengthens your ability to educate, support and work with others.

Focus areas: Learning disabilities nursing practice, health promotion, person-centred assessment, evidence-based care planning, complex care coordination, leadership and professional transition

Learning outcomes: Deliver safe, effective and inclusive nursing care, critically appraise and apply evidence in practice, coordinate complex care needs, lead and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, and transition confidently into professional nursing practice

Professional alignment: On completion you will be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration as a registered Learning Disabilities Nurse, a qualification recognised across the UK and internationally

Reputation: Kingston University holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework and is ranked top in London for Nursing and Midwifery by The Complete University Guide and The Guardian University Guide, reflecting strong student satisfaction and career prospects

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, learning nursing isn’t just about lectures and textbooks — it’s about doing and experiencing. From the start, you’ll develop real practical skills through simulated practice and hands-on placements, so you can feel confident and capable in caring for people with learning disabilities. You’ll spend time in the university’s state-of-the-art simulation suites, practising assessment, communication, and care scenarios in a safe, realistic environment with role players and advanced manikins. This is complemented by clinical placements, where you work alongside experienced practitioners in hospitals, community settings, and partner organisations to put your learning into action.

Your hands-on learning includes:

Simulation and Clinical Skills Facilities: Practise techniques in purpose-built suites that recreate hospital wards, community clinics, and care environments.
Blended Simulated and Practice Learning: Use digital tools and structured scenarios to build clinical confidence before going out on placement.
Clinical Placements: Gain real-world experience with NHS, private, and voluntary sector partners, working with people across different age groups and care contexts.
Extended Experience: Opportunities to collaborate with theatre companies and national learning disability networks to understand lived experiences from multiple perspectives.
Group Work and Reflective Practice: Engage in case studies, group projects, and reflective activities to connect theory with practice, supported by Kingston’s library and virtual learning platform.

This approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you have hands-on experience, confidence, and professional insight, ready to step into nursing roles and make a real difference.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing Kingston’s Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons) prepares you to step straight into a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll graduate as a registered Learning Disabilities Nurse, opening up roles such as registered learning disabilities nurse, community nurse, specialist nurse in learning disability teams, nurse leader, care coordinator, and health advocate. The combination of professional registration, hands-on placements, and specialist knowledge means you’ll be confident and employable from day one.

Kingston supports your career journey through:

Careers Support: The Careers and Employability Team offers one-to-one guidance, CV and interview coaching, workshops, and access to the Handshake jobs platform to help you secure placements, internships, and graduate roles.
Strong Graduate Outcomes: Around 93 per cent of Kingston nursing and midwifery graduates go on to work or continue their studies within 15 months, giving you reassurance about your career prospects.
Employment and Salary: Early-career nursing salaries are competitive, with median earnings around £31,000 15 months after graduation.
Industry Connections: The programme has close links with the NHS, private and voluntary sector partners including The Children’s Trust, Great Ormond Street, and local NHS trusts, helping you gain valuable real-world experience and professional networks.
Accreditation Value: Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) gives your qualification lasting professional credibility in the UK and internationally.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree, you can continue your studies with postgraduate programmes such as a Master’s in Learning Disabilities Nursing, advanced clinical practice, leadership, or healthcare education. These pathways can help you specialise, take on management roles, engage in research, or move into teaching, giving you long-term growth and leadership opportunities in health and social care.