Program Overview

Overview

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Learning Disability) MSc is a two-year apprenticeship course designed to provide the opportunity to study whilst being employed in learning disability healthcare services. During this apprenticeship, students will develop the vital skills, values, and confidence needed to work with people who have a range of learning disabilities, providing hands-on care in relation to their complex physical, social, and psychological needs.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• Be employed in healthcare and supported to undertake the course by your employer.
• Have an Honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent professional qualification, in a relevant subject.
• Have GCSE English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.
• Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearances prior to registration on the course.

Start Dates

• 12 January 2026

Duration

• 2 years full-time

Course Detail

Year 1 Core Modules

• Becoming a professional - Learning Disability Nursing: This module involves exploring development as a professional, examining personal and professional attitudes and beliefs, and relating these to the future professional role as a learning disability nurse.
• Developing critical knowledge and skills in Learning Disability Nursing: This module builds on knowledge and skills developed in stage one, expanding the range of assessment skills and applying them to more complex learning disability care encounters.
• Developing research knowledge and evidence for Learning Disability Nursing practice: This module introduces designing research studies, including literature reviews and empirical studies, and develops knowledge and skills of research methods and design.
• Introduction to Learning Disability Nursing: This module provides the opportunity to develop fundamental knowledge and skills required to have a critical understanding of theory and practice, assisting in providing effective person-centred support to people with a range of physical, mental, and cognitive needs.
• Understanding knowledge and evidence for nursing: This module introduces the nature of knowledge and how it supports evidenced-based practice, learning how to search for and read evidence to identify its value and relevance to nursing practice.
• Nursing Practice 1: This module is the first practice module, providing the opportunity to develop fundamental skills of nursing practice, including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations, and holistic patient assessments and care.

Year 2 Core Modules

• Developing as a professional: This module builds on the year one Becoming a Professional and supports the development of professional knowledge and transferable skills needed to become a Registered Nurse.
• Nursing Practice 2: This module provides the opportunity to further develop skills of nursing practice, including cannulation and phlebotomy.
• Being a professional: This module builds on professionally themed modules in year one and consolidates preparation to become a qualified nurse, developing future nurse leader skills to prepare for positively influencing care beyond the organisation.
• Enhancing knowledge and skills in Learning Disability Nursing: This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in stage one and two, expanding the range of assessment skills and applying them under minimum supervision whilst managing and coordinating the care of people with learning disabilities.
• Using evidence and research to enhance Learning Disability Nursing practice: This module builds on the evidence and research modules in year 1, enabling the systematic undertaking of a literature review or a small-scale research project based on the research proposal developed in year 1.
• Nursing Practice 3: This module provides the opportunity to gain fundamental skills of nursing practice, including intravenous medicines administration.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching on this course is delivered through seminars, lectures, group work, simulation, and practical skills experiences. The assessment methods on the course are varied and involve a combination of coursework, practice/proficiency-based learning, reports, presentations, and examinations.

Placements

The course comprises 50% practice, which is essential in development. Practice includes placements, reflection, simulation, and spoke visits. During the course, students will undertake a number of practice learning experiences in a diverse range of health and social care settings, reflecting the diversity of services accessed by people with a learning disability.

Fees and Finance

As an apprentice, there is no tuition fee to pay for the higher or degree apprenticeship. Tuition fees are covered by the employer and the government through the Levy. As students will be paid employees, they are not able to take out a student loan.

Professional Links and Accreditation

This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Whilst studying this course, students are currently not required to register as a member with the NMC, however, they must follow their codes of conduct.

Career Support

The University provides professional help, support, and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions, to help students focus on life after graduation and achieve their ambitions.