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You’ll work in a variety of clinical settings such as NHS Trusts, community placements, independent sector and voluntary sector organisations.

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LSBU Nursing & Midwifery graduates are the highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and fifth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022).

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Students on this course could be eligible to receive a non-repayable amount of up to £11,000 per academic year with the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Overview

Please note this course is closed to applications for September 2024. Visit our Nursing & Midwifery page to view our full list of course options.

Learning disability nurses enable individuals to live their lives to their full potential within the social context they choose, through collaborative interventions across a variety of health and social care settings and by using specialist input, through person centred practice, underpinned by the concept of partnership working.

This course teaches you to promote social inclusion, good mental and physical health and self-determination through developing your skills, knowledge and attributes. All learning is grounded in a strong evidence base of integrative health and social care modelling. Our placements are varied, offering you the chance to create a future career that will be rewarding both for your personal and professional advancement.

Course Content

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

You will be taught separately from the three-year undergraduate students and will study the following:

During this module you’ll explore key principles of quality improvement. You’ll critically evaluate and apply service improvement methodologies and change management models, and develop your knowledge and skills in becoming a leader in your practice area. 

You’ll undertake a non-credit bearing practice module to enable the development of requisite clinical and interpersonal skills needed to practice effectively as a learning disability nurse.

In this module, you’ll study physiology in relation to the growth and development of people with learning disabilities. This will include the impact of maternal and pre-natal health on physiology, growth and development. 

In this module you’ll engage in pertinent debates related to emerging policy trends and the wider health and social care context as it impacts on people with learning disabilities and their identified circles of support. 

This module will extend your knowledge of research approaches and methods, enhancing your ability to be a critical consumer of research evidence. This module provides underpinning knowledge and skills for students who wish to complete their dissertation. 

This non-credit bearing module consolidates and further develops your clinical and inter-personal skills in the context of implementing evidence-based practice. 

This module provides the opportunity to develop critical insight into complex needs experienced by people with learning disabilities throughout the lifespan, in the context of their identified circles of support. This will include contemporary approaches to supporting syndrome-specific issues, physical and/or mental health needs, and behavioural issues. 

This module builds on your knowledge of the issues impacting on the inclusion of people with learning disabilities and offers evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of this group. The module will enhance your specialist communication skills to work in partnership with individuals with learning disabilities, their identified circles of support and the wider multidisciplinary team. 

* Modules are subject to review and change throughout the year.

Where will I learn?

Explore life at LSBU from anywhere - Take a virtual tour to explore our campus, discover key facilities and experience what student life is like.

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Teaching and Assessment 

You'll be expected to work as an independent adult learner, working alongside academic staff to expand and extend your knowledge, skills and attitudes as a critical scholar in the field of Intellectual Disabilities.

You'll be allocated a personal tutor, a cohort leader, and a course director, plus clinical mentors, and link lecturers whilst on placement.

The course makes use of the virtual learning environment MOODLE, an interactive based system for accurate and rapid information sharing, so course materials are available whenever you need them. A range of learning styles are employed, including visits from service users and their carers, to ensure the course remains contemporary and applied to real life situations.

Careers

Employability Service

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:

  • Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
  • Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
  • LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Learning disability nursing as a career

The course will enable you to develop a wide range of employability skills through the emphasis on a vocational approach to teaching which leads to a professional qualification leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

There is an increasing body of research that shows the need for learning disability nurses as a specialist resource to address health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities. The course will give you the specialist knowledge and skills to work in a wide range of services, and  the confidence to work collaboratively with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, and other professionals and agencies.

Role and responsibilities

As a learning disabilities nurse you would work with people of all ages to give them the skills and confidence they need to live as independently as possible. You'd be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and be responsible for co-ordinating care plans with other healthcare professionals, as  well as monitoring progress. A learning disabilities nurse would be responsible for making an initial assessment of a patient's health and social care needs.

Day-to-day duties would be likely to include help and encouragement with tasks such as personal hygiene, dressing, using public transport, shopping, leisure interests, making and attending appointments, and finding a job. Learning disabilities nursing also involves campaigning on behalf of those with  learning disabilities, supporting the agenda for equality and trying to improve healthcare services for those with learning difficulties.

Working hours and salary

Nurses usually work around 37.5 hours a week, but this can include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays due to the need to provide 24-hour care for some patients.

Newly qualified nurses can expect to earn around £21,000 a year but with experience, this can rise to around £28,000. Those working as advanced practitioners, clinical specialists or managers can earn up to £40,000 and nursing consultants can earn up to £70,000 a year.

Career progression

Graduates of our BSc (Hons) programmes have gone on to work in NHS services, independent and voluntary sector services for children and adults, and in social care settings in managerial roles.

Successful graduates of the PgDip can top-up to MSc in one year and will be qualified to study a range of further specialist postgraduate pathways. With additional experience, advanced practice is available at Masters level with the potential to progress to doctorate studies. Once you are a registered  nurse browse our online CPPD prospectus to find out what courses are on offer to help with your professional development.

The learning disability nursing programmes at LSBU have a long history of partnership working with agencies in the NHS and independent and voluntary sector. The Professional Lead for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at the Department of Health England is a frequent guest speaker who inspires Learning Disability nurses to influence and innovate.

Nursing and Midwifery Council logo

The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands.


LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

  • AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
  • Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
  • Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.

We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Find out more

Entry Level Requirements

Applicants will be considered on an individual basis but will normally require:

  • A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2:2 classification. Candidates without a health or science related degree are required to complete a Life Sciences work book package to satisfy the Life Sciences element of the APL portfolio.
  • In accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements, Maths and English GCSEs/equivalent (at C or above) are also required.
  • Please make sure you have the required GCSE qualifications (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) before applying for this course.

    Choose your country

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    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Azerbaijan
    • Bahrain
    • Bangladesh
    • Barbados
    • Belgium
    • Botswana
    • Brazil
    • British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
    • Bulgaria
    • Cambodia
    • Cameroon
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • China
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    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Dominican Republic
    • Egypt
    • Estonia
    • Ethiopia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Gambia
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Ghana
    • Greece
    • Hungary
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Jamaica
    • Japan
    • Jordan
    • Kazakhstan
    • Kenya
    • Kuwait
    • Latvia
    • Lebanon
    • Libya
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Malaysia
    • Malta
    • Mauritius
    • Mexico
    • Mongolia
    • Morocco
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Netherlands
    • New Zealand
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Oman
    • Pakistan
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Qatar
    • Romania
    • Russian Federation
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Senegal
    • Serbia
    • Sierra Leone
    • Singapore
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Somalia
    • South Africa
    • South Korea
    • Spain
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Thailand
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Tunisia
    • Turkiye
    • Uganda
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United States of America
    • Uzbekistan
    • Venezuela
    • Vietnam
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe

    Additional Info

    If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.

    Need further information?

    Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.

    More contact info

    Apply

    Course delivery modes and application methods

    Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
    PgDip Full-time 2 years September B764 UCAS

    How to apply for the PgDip

    Although this is a postgraduate course, all students apply to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply webpage for undergraduate students.

    When making your UCAS application you will need to apply for your chosen field of nursing practice.

    Attributes and values

    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:

    • Meet the required entry requirements for LSBU nursing courses
    • Good understanding of basic numeracy and literacy skills
    • Impeccable communication, caring and helping skills
    • Able to work as part of a team as well as independently
    • Reliable, patient and understanding
    • Motivated
    • Dedicated to a career in nursing and fully comprehend the responsibilities of the role
    • Personal qualities and values in line with those expected by the NHS constitution.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

    All applicants are required to make an RPL claim. You may apply for RPL through both certificated learning and the production of a portfolio to demonstrate achievement of programme outcomes for the programme you have applied for through experience. If you are offered a place on the course you'll be provided with guidance notes to assist you in constructing this.

    In addition  to the qualifications and successful interview, applicants will also be required to demonstrate and provide evidence of the following as part of the RPL process:

    • Evidence of 262 hours of relevant people based care experience (within the last 18 months)
    • Verification of achievement of professional values from a registered professional e.g. member of a professional regulatory body

    Interviews and assessments

    Our interviews take place via Microsoft Teams​, this consists of a short (20-minute) interview with 1 or 2 members of the academic team. ​There may also be a nurse from one of our Trust partners in attendance​. It is not a ‘test’. We do not expect applicants to answer complex science or maths-based questions. ​

    English language

    For 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.

    How to Apply

    Read more about how to apply for undergraduate courses.

    International students

    International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

    Accommodation

    Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

    Test 

    Prepare to start

    We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.

    Prepare to start

    Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

    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 before the start of the programme commencement.

    DBS update service

    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.

    How to complete  your DBS

    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.

    Frequently asked questions

    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. 

    Document Check

    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 

    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. 

    Occupational Health (OH)

    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.

    Questionnaire

    Once you have enrolled, students will be asked to complete an occupational health check, the first part is completing an online questionnaire sent from our occupational health provider.

    GP appointment

    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)

    Occupational Health appointment

    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.

    Frequently asked questions

    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.

    Numeracy practice

    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.

    Enrolment and Welcome Week

    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.

    Uniforms

    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.

    Students are not allowed to wear false nails, false eyelashes, jewellery or nail polish, as part of the trust uniform policies. All uniforms require students to be bare below the elbow for infection control purposes.

    Frequently asked questions

    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 Southwark campus. 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. 

    Practice placements

    Most health and social care courses’ practice placements will operate outside normal working hours e.g. evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

    Holidays

    Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course.

    Fees

    United Kingdom

    £9250

    Tuition fees for home students

    International

    £N/A

    Tuition fees for international students

    Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

    full-time

    Full-time Year 1 - All Available Courses

    PgDip Learning Disabilities Nursing (FT) - Year 1 FT Southwark SEPT
    The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
    UK fee: £9250 International fee: £
    AOS/LSBU code: 5443 Session code: 1FS00
    Total course fee for this location/stream:

    * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

    UK: £9250
    International: £N/A

    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 630 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

    Possible fee changes

    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 to reflect increased costs of delivery and to maintain an a high-quality student experience. This increase would be no more than Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increases plus 5%.

    Scholarships

    We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

    Are you an international student looking to kickstart your global career at LSBU? If so, our new LSBU Future Global Graduate Awards could help you benefit from the high-quality, career focused education that LSBU offers. Find out more about our Global Graduate Awards.

    Fee status

    Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a home, EU or international student for fee-paying purposes by reading the UKCISA regulations.

    Funding for pre-registration postgraduate programmes

    Since August 2018 new postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students have been able to access loans from the Student Loans Company. Accessing loans provides at least 25% more up-front living cost support whilst you study. You will also have access to the Learning Support Fund, which is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority, for support while attending clinical placements.

    Background to these changes can be found on Gov.uk.

    Council of Deans have prepared a briefing paper and Student Finance have outlined who qualifies. The Funding Clinic provides further information on what support is available.

    NHS Bursary will produce guidelines and information once the information has received parliamentary approval.

    A student can change to writing up status for the purpose of a lower fee when the examination arrangements have been submitted and approved. Examination arrangements are submitted 3 months prior to submission of the thesis for examination. A student only has one year of writing up at the reduced fee that covers submission, viva, and minor corrections. The writing up fee 25/26 is £1,246

    Contact information

    UK Course Enquiries

    0207 815 7500

    International team enquiry

    +44 (0) 20 7815 6189

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