Nursing (Learning Disability)
Swansea University
UCAS Code: B762 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Health or science-related courses are desirable
Access to HE Diploma
GCSE/National 4/National 5
A minimum of five grade A-C GCSE passes including Welsh/English language, Maths and a Physical Science or Double Award Science are required. In certain circumstances Key Skills Level 2 in Application of Number will be accepted in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and Key Skills Level 2 in Communication will be accepted in lieu of GCSE Welsh/English Language, if undertaken since September 2015
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
UCAS Tariff
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is accepted in lieu of one A-Level.
About this course
**Our Learning Disability Nursing degree course will give you the skills and experience to launch a rewarding career in this diverse and essential profession.
Over the course of this carefully-integrated, three year BSc programme, you will learn how to support people who have a learning disability, of all ages and backgrounds, throughout all stages of their lives.**
As you progress, our range of learning and teaching strategies will develop your critical thinking to enable you to identify the diverse and complex needs of people with learning disabilities; make an accurate nursing diagnosis and plan and evaluate the care required to maximise service users’ participation in society. You will learn how to meet the needs of people with mental, physical, cognitive, or behavioural health challenges, enabling practitioners to be able to support people with learning disabilities of any age.
Half of your teaching takes place in the university and the other half in healthcare settings. We have excellent working relationships with many healthcare providers, so you will have access to a wide range of clinical experiences across south west Wales.
We have an outstanding reputation for nursing at Swansea and are in the Top 10 in the UK for Nursing Graduate Prospects (The Complete University Guide 2022). We were also shortlisted for the Best Student Experience in The Student Nursing Times Awards 2021.
Our academic staff are qualified nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, many of whom are also practising clinicians, providing an exceptional combination of theoretical rigour, professional insight, and practical expertise.
We have very strong links with Welsh health boards, opening up clinical placement opportunities for you in a variety of settings in both urban and rural locations. Meanwhile, the nearest hospital is right next door to our Singleton Park campus on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula.
Our excellent facilities include a realistic clinical suite so you can put your theoretical knowledge into practice in an environment that reflects as closely as possible the actual conditions that you will experience when you go on placement in a hospital or community setting.
You can also study part of your nursing degree through the medium of Welsh and may be eligible for internal scholarships or financial support through Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
As a Learning Disability Nurse, you can expect a starting salary of £25,655 rising to £53,219 for a highly experienced staff nurse.
Modules
Introduction to Nursing and Health Care (Learning Disability); Understanding health and illness (Learning Disability); Contexts of Care (Learning Disability); Acute Care (Learning Disability); Care of the Person with a Long-Term Condition and Palliative Care Needs (Learning Disability); Ensuring quality care (Learning Disability); Care of the Service User with complex needs (Learning Disability); Advancing nursing practice (Learning Disability); Preparation for professional practice (Learning Disability)
Assessment methods
Assessments will include practical OSCEs, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, practical observations, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence in care delivery and the ability to research, appraise and evaluate evidence.
Placement competency will be assessed by your practice assessor.
Extra funding
If you can commit to working in Wales for two years after graduating, you could get your tuition fees covered in full through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme, as well as maintenance funding and a reduced rate loan from Student Finance.
Please see our NHS Funding webpage to check your eligibility for funding before applying.
What students say
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Learning disabilities nursing
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After graduation
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Learning disabilities nursing
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Learning disabilities nursing
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£29k
£30k
£29k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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