BSc (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work (Integrated Practice)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Salford

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work (Integrated Practice) at the University of Salford gives you the chance to train as both a Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities) and a Social Worker. If you’re passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and want a career that truly makes a difference, this program equips you with practical skills, professional qualifications, and real-world experience.

Curriculum structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll lay the foundation for your dual career path, learning the core principles of nursing and social work. Through modules like Foundations in Nursing and Social Work, Law and Social Policy in Health and Well-being, and Interprofessional Practice in Learning Disabilities, you’ll start developing the skills and confidence to support individuals, families, and communities.

Year 2
The second year focuses on applying your knowledge in real-world settings. Modules such as Promoting Wellbeing Across the Lifespan – Theory, Interprofessional Practice Across the Lifespan – Practice, and Decision Making in Learning Disabilities help you plan and deliver high-quality care, work effectively in teams, and develop professional judgment for supporting people with learning disabilities.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll get ready to step into professional practice. With modules like Comparative Perspectives, Developing Evidence-Based Practice with Learning Disabilities, and Integrated Professional Practice, you’ll explore service systems, engage with research, and consolidate the skills needed to register and practise as both a nurse and social worker.

Focus areas: supporting people with learning disabilities across the lifespan, integrating health and social care, inter-professional teamwork, and promoting independence and inclusion.

Learning outcomes: you’ll leave ready to make informed, evidence-based decisions, work autonomously and collaboratively, and support individuals and families in real-life settings while meeting professional standards.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for nursing, and qualifies you to register with Social Work England for social work.

Reputation (employability rankings): Salford’s social work degree is ranked 2nd in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2026, reflecting strong graduate outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Salford, learning goes far beyond the classroom — you’ll spend around half of your time on real-world placements, gaining hands-on experience with people who have learning disabilities. The university makes sure you’re well-prepared with simulation labs, mock home environments, and interprofessional practice settings, so you can practise your skills safely before working with real service users. Throughout the course, you’ll gradually take on more responsibility, working directly with individuals, families, and care teams, so that by the time you graduate, you’re ready to make a real difference.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience:

Complete over 2,300 hours of placement across health and social care settings, guided by experienced nurses and social workers.
Work in diverse communities across Greater Manchester, giving you exposure to a variety of needs and environments.
Use simulation suites with advanced patient mannequins to practise nursing scenarios safely, from routine care to emergencies.
Social work students get to train in mock flat settings and live-feed simulations to practise home visits, assessments, and interviews.
Collaborate with your peers in interprofessional workshops and group projects, mirroring real-life teamwork in health and social care.
Assessments include practical observation, case studies, presentations, and reflective portfolios — helping you connect theory with practice every step of the way.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work (Integrated Practice) leave ready to make a real impact in people’s lives. Whether you want to work as a Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse, a Social Worker, a Community Learning Disabilities Practitioner, or a Support Coordinator, this degree equips you with the skills, experience, and professional qualifications to succeed across health and social care settings.

Here’s how the University helps you get there:

The Careers & Employability Service offers one-on-one guidance, CV workshops, mock interviews, and networking events to help you land the right role.
Strong graduate outcomes: Nursing and social work graduates from Salford typically earn around £28,000 within 15 months of graduating.
Benefit from close partnerships with NHS Trusts and local social work agencies – these connections support your placements and make sure your learning stays connected to real-world practice.
Professional accreditation is built in: upon graduation, you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (for nursing) and Social Work England (for social work), giving you a direct path into regulated roles.
Career-ready graduates: you’ll be prepared to work in hospitals, local authorities, community care services, or voluntary sector organisations, helping people with learning disabilities thrive.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could continue your studies with specialist postgraduate programs like a PgDip/MSc in Nursing Specialist Practitioner (Learning Disabilities) at Salford, or explore research and leadership roles in integrated health and social care. This helps you deepen your expertise and open doors to senior roles in your field.