BSc (Honours) Nursing (Learning Disability) and Social Work with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Sheffield Hallam University

Program Overview

This four-year programme, including a Foundation Year, gives you the unique opportunity to qualify both as a Learning Disabilities Nurse and a Social Worker. It’s perfect if you care deeply about helping people with learning disabilities live well and independently, and if you want to work at the intersection of healthcare, social care, and advocacy.

Curriculum structure:

Foundation Year (Year 0):
Your first year helps you build the confidence and academic skills needed for degree-level study. Modules like Developing the Fundamentals of a Healthcare Professional and Promotion of Contemporary Issues in Healthcare introduce you to the basics of health and social care, preparing you for your dual professional journey.

Year 1 (Level 4):
In your first full year, you’ll start combining theory with practice. Modules such as Sciences and Theory for Nursing and Social Work Practice, Essentials of Nursing and Social Work Practice, and Personal and Professional Development give you a strong foundation, while Practice Placement 1 lets you experience real-world settings and understand how nursing and social work intersect.

Year 2 (Level 5):
This year deepens your skills and knowledge through modules like Applying Sciences and Theory Across the Life Course, Assessing and Addressing Complexity in Practice, and Developing Nursing and Social Work Professional Practice, alongside Practice Placement 2. You’ll work with more complex cases, develop multi-agency collaboration skills, and explore the societal context of disability.

Final Year (Level 6):
In your final year, you bring everything together. Modules like Becoming a Learning Disability Nurse and Social Worker, Complexity & Leadership in Professional Practice, and Consolidating the Sciences and Theory for Critical Nursing and Social Work Practice, along with Practice Placement 3, prepare you to take on professional responsibilities with confidence and leadership skills.

Focus areas:
“learning disabilities nursing, social work practice, interdisciplinary care, leadership in health and social care, advocacy for individuals and families, community and statutory services.”

Learning outcomes:
“Graduate as a dual-qualified professional ready to deliver person-centred care and support, work confidently across nursing and social work contexts, collaborate with other professionals, lead improvements, and advocate effectively for people with learning disabilities.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is approved by both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Social Work England, allowing you to register as both a nurse and a social worker in England.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Sheffield Hallam’s nursing courses are ranked 6th in the UK for graduate outcomes by the Complete University Guide 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the very first term, this course is about learning by doing. You won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll practise your skills in realistic settings, use specialist tools, and gain experience that mirrors what you’ll do as a professional. Sheffield Hallam gives you access to simulation suites, virtual reality tools, community-style environments, and real placements so you can build confidence and expertise in both learning disability nursing and social work.

Here’s what your hands-on learning looks like:

Clinical skills suites where you can safely practise nursing tasks and social work assessments.
Virtual reality simulations (Oxford Medical Simulation) that immerse you in realistic scenarios to develop decision-making skills.
Simulated community and legal environments, helping you understand multi-agency work and the legal aspects of social care.
Group projects and inter-professional activities, working alongside other health and social care students to mirror real teamwork.
Real-world placements making up around 50% of your course, so you gain first-hand experience supporting people with learning disabilities.
24/7 libraries and study spaces at the Collegiate Campus, giving you all the resources you need to research, practise, and collaborate.

With these experiences, you’ll not only understand the theory behind nursing and social work, but also gain the confidence and practical skills to step straight into professional roles.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduate outcomes summary:
By the time you finish this dual‑qualification programme, you’ll be ready to make a real difference for people with learning disabilities and their families. Graduates often go on to roles such as a Learning Disabilities Nurse, Social Worker, Community Support Lead, Senior Practitioner in Health & Social Care, or Specialist Advisor, giving you plenty of exciting options where you can use both nursing and social work skills.

Here’s how Sheffield Hallam supports your career and what you can expect after graduation:

Careers & Placements service: Offers personalised help with CVs, interview preparation, networking events, and placement opportunities with NHS trusts, local authorities, and voluntary organisations.
Employment stats: Nursing courses at Sheffield Hallam are ranked 6th in the UK for graduate outcomes, giving you strong confidence in your future employability.
Salary figures: Early-career salaries for graduates from this pathway typically start around £32,000, reflecting the dual professional qualification.
University–industry partnerships: Collaborations with NHS trusts, local authorities, private and voluntary organisations ensure your learning is aligned with real-world practice.
Accreditation: Approved by both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Social Work England, letting you register in both professions and keep your career options flexible.
Graduation outcomes: With around 50% of your course spent in placements, you gain hands-on experience that makes you job-ready from day one.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could choose to specialise further through postgraduate study, such as a Master’s in advanced practice, leadership in health and social care, research, or teaching in either nursing or social work — giving you opportunities to grow as a professional and take on leadership roles.