Nursing - Professional Nursing - Learning Disabilities Nursing

Learning disabilities nurses work with children, adults and older adults with learning disabilities and their families. Learning disabilities nurses support people to improve their health and wellbeing and be as independent as possible. This is to enable and support them to live rich and fulfilling lives to be part of the communities in which they live.

Entrance requirements Graduate All applicants must normally have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 to include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject (i.e. Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Double Award Science or Single Award Science) or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University. GCSE Applied Science is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Science. (Qualified nurses and midwives may be considered to have met the GCSE entry requirements). In addition to the GCSE requirements, or equivalent, all applicants must have an Honours degree in any subject with an award of 2.1 or above. Candidates with an Honours degree in any subject with an award of 2.2 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a 3rd Class Honours degree or Ordinary degree would be deemed to hold the equivalent academic standing of an Honours degree, provided they hold additional post graduate qualifications in a health and social care related field alongside relevant healthcare experience. These applicants will be assessed through the provision of certificates and within the GEMS Portfolio completed as part of the admissions criteria for admission to the programme. All applicants applying via this entry route must meet the GCSE (or acceptable equivalent) requirements above. Nurses who have graduated with a BSc (Ordinary) in Nursing or equivalent, would be deemed to hold the equivalent academic standing of a BSc (Honours) with a minimum of one year's practice in nursing. N.B. This would not apply to students who took a BSc (Ord) as an exit degree due to part failure of their programme. All applicants applying via this entry route must meet the GCSE (or acceptable equivalent) requirements above. Students who have a first degree in nursing and who are registered with the NMC will be eligible to apply for a field of practice in which they are currently not registered. Applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence as part of their application, which should include evidence of 650 hrs of verified direct care by a manager where experience has taken place, and personal statements that reflect the skills, knowledge and attributes for nurses based on the NMC Code. The portfolio is considered alongside the academic entrance requirements. Applicants who satisfy the academic and portfolio requirements or will be able to do so by 27th May 2026, will be shortlisted for interview. Applicants can apply and be considered for the program, with the expectation of completion and verification of the 650 direct caring hours by 24th August 2026 at the latest. Qualified nurses and midwives will be considered to have met the portfolio condition and will not be required to submit a portfolio to be considered for interview. However, applicants with a BSc (Ordinary) in Nursing will be required to complete a portfolio for RPL purposes. Interviews will normally take place in second week of June and will evaluate the candidate's experience of healthcare, or other relevant direct care employment, paid or voluntary, as well as the skills, knowledge and attitudes expected of graduates. Offers are subject to satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment, Criminal Record check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check) and declaration and clearance of current or previous safeguarding proceeding, in addition to any academic requirements. More detail can be found on the School's website. In 2026 we are unable to offer this programme to students who are not eligible for a funded place, which will include GB and overseas students. In addition, students who have already received Department of Health funding for pre-registration Nursing, Midwifery or AHP courses in Northern Ireland will not be eligible to join this programme. Please note the delivery of this programme is dependent on adequate student numbers.