Only Social Work applicants need to pay for their DBS. It costs £46 and can be purchased on our online store.
Learning disability nurses enjoy rewarding careers enabling individuals with learning disabilities to live their lives to their full potential. Working across a variety of health and social care settings, you’ll use specialist nursing skills to address health inequalities. Using person-centred practices and partnership working, you’ll learn to assess and promote physical and mental health in people with learning disabilities.
You’ll develop skills in working with people with autism and complex behaviours, working to break down barriers to full social inclusion. Learning on this course is grounded in a strong evidence base of up-to-date integrated health and social care models.
We also offer a variety of exciting placements in world-renowned hospitals and Trusts that will help you create a future career that’s fulfilling both personally and professionally. Plus, success on this course makes you eligible to register as a learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
ModeFull-time | Duration3 years | Start dateSeptember | Application codeB761 | Application method UCAS |
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Nursing is a very competitive career and it is important you make a high quality application to us. Here are some tips on what attributes, skills and values we are ideally looking for in an LSBU nursing student:
Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall or equivalent, with not less than 7.0 in the listening and reading sections and not less than 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS) at the time of application.
If you have been out of study for a considerable amount of time or have slightly missed the entry requirements this course, you can take your first steps to becoming a registered practitioner with our Health and Social Care Foundation year. Boost your qualifications and confidence for further study with this one-year introductory course and on completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry on to one of our 13 health BSc pre-registration health and social care degrees. You might also want to consider our Nursing Associate Foundation Degree, which has slightly lower entry requirements and is an alternative route into a career in Nursing.
Select country here:
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.
£9250
Tuition fees for home students
£
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees
UK fee: £9250 | International fee: £ |
AOS/LSBU code: 5440 | Session code: 1FS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK: £27750 |
International: £0 |
UK fee: £9250 | International fee: £ |
AOS/LSBU code: 5440 | Session code: 2FS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK: £27750 |
International: £0 |
UK fee: £9250 | International fee: £ |
AOS/LSBU code: 5440 | Session code: 3FS00 |
Total course fee: |
UK: £27750 |
International: £0 |
The international fee for this course shows as "£0" because this course is not open to international students.
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.
See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).
The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.
The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.
We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.
Mode Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date September | Application code B761 | Application method UCAS |
Please send your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using our institution code L75. UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.
See our How to apply page for further details.
On your UCAS application for an Adult Nursing course you will need to choose which LSBU campus you wish to study at: Southwark or Havering.
To study on Havering campus please put an H on your UCAS application.
See our top tips for writing your personal statement.
As part of the selection process you'll be expected to attend an MMI interview. Find out more.
If you are unsuccessful in your application to LSBU for this year you cannot apply through UCAS Extra or Clearing. However you can apply for the following year. It is important that you read the comments in the results statement so that you are prepared for any other interviews you may have.
Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.
Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.
All pre-registration students need to be DBS cleared before going on placement. You’ll need to have an enhanced DBS check even if you have had one before and will not be able to go on placement until this is complete.
The DBS process is not difficult but can take some time so it's best to get started as soon as you receive your email. You will receive the email during Summer 2023.
If you're part of the DBS update service, your subscription is up to date and you already have a DBS certificate, please bring in your original green DBS certificate for the document check. To take advantage of the update service, your certificate needs to be classified as 'Enhanced' and workforce must be listed as 'Adult and Child'. If you have any queries, please email us at hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.
Our DBS supplier, Verifile, will send you an email with all the details you need to complete your DBS.
Verifile will give you instructions to log into their system and complete your personal details and information. To complete the process, you'll need your passport or driving licence and 5-year address history including dates when you moved in/out.
You can use your application number to track the progress of your DBS.
When you've finished, your Disclosure Statement will be mailed to the most recent address in your submission, so please make sure it's correct. We don't automatically receive a copy of this Statement, which is why we need you to bring it in as part of the next step.
Only Social Work applicants need to pay for their DBS. It costs £46 and can be purchased on our online store.
Please include any and all major and minor, spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warning and reprimands, even if they relate to juvenile offences or seem trivial or unimportant. Some minor offences will not prevent you from going on placement or being offered a place on your course, but still need to be reviewed so it’s best to be honest and include everything. Also, the more information you include about any offences can help reduce the time it takes to assess them.
Yes, you do. You need to have an up-to-date DBS. Once you have received the email from our DBS supplier make sure you start the process straight away. All details of how to do this will be outlined in the email. If you don’t complete your DBS in the timeframe given, we may withdraw your offer even if term has already started. So it’s important that you get started as soon as you receive the email.
Government legislation requires all Higher Education Institutions who offer courses where students may come into unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults to have this check. These checks also help us to ensure duty of care to our students, and create a safer environment for patients seen by our students.
As part of the University’s admissions process, declarations of any offence may be referred to a virtual panel made up of senior managers from partner NHS Trusts and/or other sectors within Health and Social Care. Any DBS that is considered by the panel will be anonymised. The panel members then deliberate and make a recommendation whether the application be rejected, accepted or request further information or documents.
If you have declared an offence, we might ask for more information from you in writing which will help the panel make a decision. Once your declaration has been referred to the panel it can take up to 28 working days to be processed.
You need to put your current address on your DBS application because this is where your Statement will be mailed. If you’ve moved house between submitting and receiving your DBS, make sure you have mail forwarding set up so that you’ll receive your statement. If you’ve moved recently, make sure you have proof of your new address (such as a new bank statement) to bring for your document checks.
If you’ve lost your statement you will need to pay £46 to purchase a new one.
Yes. If your application has been rejected due to your DSB declaration/discloser, you will be sent a letter to confirm this. There will be instructions in the letter about how you can appeal and which supporting information you need to provide. Once a decision has been made you will receive a letter from the School Executive Team.
Once you have completed the online part of the DBS process, you will need to produce three accepted documents from this list (PDF File 248 KB) to be verified.
Southwark: Southwark Student Help Desk in the K2 building Monday – Friday between 9am-11am or 1pm-4pm
Havering: come to reception at Havering Monday – Friday between 8:30-10:30am, 12-2pm, 4-5pm
If you’re not able to come to campus, you can get your documents checked and certified at the Post Office for a fee of £10.50. To do this, make photocopies of your three accepted ID documents and take your DBS form, copies and originals of your documents to the Post Office. The Post Office will stamp the form and photocopies and given them back to you. Email your post office receipt, stamped form and stamped documents to hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.
An exciting part of many of our Health and Social Care courses is the opportunity to learn off-campus and work with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.
The second part of your occupational health check is to get any inoculations that you may need from your GP. When attending your GP appointment, please take printed copies of these two documents with you.
Vaccination Screening Advisory Letter (PDF File 126 KB)
GP Vaccination and Screening History (PDF File 117 KB)
After these steps are complete you will receive an email from OHWorks Ltd inviting you to attend an appointment on-campus with an Occupational Health Nurse. These appointments take place during the week and sometimes when your classes have already started.
The OH team have prepared this guide (PDF File 588 KB) which outlines what to expect at each stage. If you have queries or concerns about your Occupational Health clearance or inoculations please contact the Occupational Health team.
Yes - government legislation advises that everyone must be double vaccinated to work in a health care setting with effect from 1 April 2022.
Contact the OH team at lsbu@ohworks.co.uk who will be able to advise you.
Please contact the OH team to reschedule at least 48 hours in advance. Remember that you won’t be able to go on placement until you’re cleared.
Yes. Tell the OH Nurse about all conditions including specific learning difficulties even if you’ve declared these in the past. This will allow us to make reasonable adjustments whilst you’re on placement.
The information you share with the OH Nurse will be treated with confidence, meaning that it won’t be automatically shared with the DDS team. The DDS team can help you to receive support for your lectures, assignments and exams so it’s worth to register with them and provide evidence of your condition if you need this support.
Before starting your course, you may want to check or practice your numeracy skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that helps you learn, revise and quiz your essential numeracy skills. You’ll also be able to get a certificate to show your efforts.
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our new students pages.
Most placements and some practical sessions in our skills laboratories will require you to wear a uniform and name badge. You will be measured for uniforms specific to your course as part of your Welcome Week activities after enrolment. In the meantime, we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions that you might find useful.
Yes, LSBU will supply you with uniforms for your placement with the exception of Social Work and Health and Social Care BSc students who are not required to wear uniforms for their placements.
Nursing and midwifery students will receive two pairs of trousers, three tunics and a name badge. Polo shirts will be issued instead of tunics for students studying mental health nursing, physiotherapy, chiropractic and sport rehabilitation. ODP students will receive one set of scrubs top and trousers.
The items are to last for the duration of your programme of study.
A measuring and distribution service will be available by the uniform provider at both Southwark and Havering campuses. As garments are fitted for work purposes they need to allow for flexibility of movement so it’s best to have the uniform provider measure you up.
You can request a longer tunic for religious or medical reasons. To do this, you should advise the uniform supplier at the measuring session. These tunics are 2 inches longer and sleeves finish just above the elbows. Due to infection control, full length sleeves are not permitted.
Name badges are professional and need to include your formal names.
You can order a replacement name badge direct with the uniform provider. Badges need to be worn at all times when you are at placement.
You are welcome to purchase additional items at Work in Style. You will need to log in using your student ID and then follow the step-by-step instruction. Please note that dresses are not available.
You should try on your uniforms the day you receive them so that the staff at the measuring service can help arrange any size exchanges. If you choose not to try on your uniforms and require different sizes at a later date you will need to purchase these through the uniform provider’s online portal at your own cost.
They are yours to keep – you do not need to return the garments.
Most health and social care courses’ practice placements will operate outside normal working hours e.g. evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course.
For this course, we’ve responded to best practice guidance and changing service demand, and developed an innovative and contemporary course of study, leading to a Registered Nurses Learning Disability (RNLD) nursing qualification.
The course focuses on theories of learning disability nursing and practice, healthcare planning and assessment, and enabling practitioners to be able to support people with learning disabilities of any age. The course has a holistic focus, taking into account physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing.
You’ll have the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop sound communication, interpersonal and therapeutic intervention skills and become fully equipped to meet the additional requirements of patients with more complex needs such as dual diagnosis and multiple and profound disability.
Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Our vocational approach to teaching means you’ll develop impeccable communication, interpersonal and therapeutic intervention skills. These will prepare you for a career in a range of learning disability nursing opportunities across many different settings – including the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. And if you successfully complete the course, you’ll have the requirements to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a registered Nurse - Learning Disabilities (RNLD).
Your day-to-day duties could include leading activities that promote health, well-being and independence - giving practical help and encouragement with everything from personal hygiene to finding a job. With experience, there are many opportunities for specialising as your career progresses, into areas such as health management, specialist activities, supported living management, research or nurse education.
And as a graduate from this course, you’ll be able to apply for further study at postgraduate level. You can find out more about professional development courses available through our online CPPD prospectus.
The course is linked to the Nursing and Midwifery Council which regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands.
During the course you’ll spend 50% of your time involved in academic study and 50% in clinical practice, within a broad variety of healthcare settings. A clinical practice placement allows you to put theory into practice by working with a range of health professionals in clinical situations to develop the skills, knowledge and experience required to become a competent nurse. It can be difficult at first but practice learning is one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of learning to be a nurse.
At LSBU, you’ll experience a variety of health and other appropriate care settings across the life span from new born to end of life care in practice areas such as NHS Trusts, community placements, schools, independent sector and voluntary sector organisations. As an Learning Disability Nurse, it is important that you understand the lives of people who live with learning disabilities from the inside, and we aim to reflect this in the breadth of your placements.
Your year one placements are designed to introduce you to working in a multi-disciplinary team as a professional and to develop essential care and basic assessment skills and learn about the specialist role of a learning disability nurse. You will be expected to complete an episode of care perhaps documenting a patient’s journey through an episode of ill health and reflecting on the experience.
Your year 2 clinical placements will build on the experience gained from year one and you will start to take on more responsibility, progressing your clinical reasoning skills – this means making beginning to engage in decision making, based upon clinical observations and the evidence based knowledge that you have gained through University teaching.
During your final year, you will require less supervision and will be responsible for maintaining a small caseload (with supervision) making confident, and person centred proactive decisions to support their well being
Whilst in clinical placement we’ll ensure that our nursing students receive continuous support and guidance from dedicated practice supervisors and a practice assessor. Each placement is allocated a link lecturer from the university, who acts as the academic assessor for placements and liaises with the student during practice placement.
Lectures and seminars | Self-directed study | Work-based placements | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 1 | 14% | 43% | 43% |
Year 2 | 15% | 44% | 41% |
Year 3 | 16% | 46% | 38% |
Academic assessment methods are specified in each module descriptor with details in the individual module guides are designed to cover the module and course learning outcomes. These are mapped to the professional standards as outlined in the NMC Standards for preregistration nursing education and will be assessed through coursework and/or clinical competencies and essential skills.
Practice Assessment will take place through: