Course Overview

This degree course will develop your professional knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities nursing and its application, giving you an academic qualification and the vocational training to become a registered nurse.

Taught by experts in a friendly and supportive environment, you'll put theory into practice in our state-of-the-art Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre and participate in work placements within Lothian and Borders and across the East of Scotland in various health and social care settings, with both children and adults. Work placements make up 50% of the course content.

Over the three years, you will develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence and complete the degree program with a registered nurse qualification. Learning disability nurses are the only professionals explicitly educated to work across the lifespan with people with learning disabilities. Consisting of equal parts of theory and practical elements, Nursing (Learning Disabilities) is delivered full-time over three years.

Classes range in size from large lectures to smaller tutorial groups, and you'll learn and practice your skills in a safe environment through our excellent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre.

With the changing political and social landscape and the emphasis on health and social care integration, this course will prepare you for the future of healthcare delivery by offering a variety of practice learning opportunities within NHS Assessment and Treatment Units, Community Learning Disabilities Teams, and private sector providers with voluntary sector provision.

General Eligibility

Our entry requirements indicate standard and Minimum qualifications with which we usually accept students. Competition for places varies yearly, and you aren't guaranteed a business if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Minimum year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Offer Entry Requirement

BBC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**

National 5 grade C in Maths, Lifeskills Maths, OR Applications of Maths

For those who do not have Higher English and a Higher Science subject, National 5 English and Science at grade C will be required.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement

BCC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**

National 5 grade C in Maths, Lifeskills Maths, OR Applications of Maths

For those who do not have Higher English and a Higher Science subject, National 5 English and Science at grade C will be required.

A Level

BC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**

GCSE grade C/4 in Maths

GCSE grade C/4 in English and a Science (or Double Award Science) is required for candidates who do not have these subjects at A Level.

BTEC (QCF) National Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades MMP (Merit, Merit, Pass) in any subject*

GCSE English, Maths, and Science in grade C/4

*Recommended subjects: Health and Social Care, Applied Science, Sports Science, Health Science

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma

Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) in any subject*

GCSE English, Maths, and Science in grade C/4

*Recommended subjects: Health and Social Care, Applied Science, Sports Science, Health Science

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded in 2017)

H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level preferably to include English or Literary subject* and a Science subject**

For those who do not have English, Maths, and a Science subject at a Higher Level, grade O3 at Ordinary Level will be required.

HNC

Pass any subject with a grade of C in the graded unit for Year 1 entry. For the topics below, the five national requirements differ. For all other HNCs, National 5 grade C in Maths, English, and Science is also required.

- Care and Administrative Practice/Healthcare Practice (No additional National five grades required)

- Social Care, Social Services, Social Sciences, Childhood Practice, Early Education, and Childcare (National 5 grade C in Maths and a Science also required)

- Applied Science (National 5 grade C in English and Maths also required)

QQI Level 5 Pre-Nursing Studies

A minimum of 6 Distinctions must be achieved overall. In addition, distinctions must also be performed in the Communication and Anatomy and Physiology Unit.

O3 in Ordinary Level Maths in the Irish Leaving Certificate or Maths passed as part of QQI Level 5 is also required.

T level

Pass in any subject with a grade of C or above in the Core component. 

GCSE English, Maths, and a Science subject are also required at grade C/4.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours per week

Language Requirement

• IELTS (Academic)

  6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5

  TOEFL Internet-Based Test

  80 overall, with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking, and 17 in writing

  Pearson’s Test of Academic English

  56 overall, with a minimum of 51 in each component

  Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE))

  169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component

  Cambridge B2 First (formerly Cambridge English First (FCE))

  169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component

  Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English Advanced (CAE))

  169 overall, with a minimum of 162 in each component

  Trinity Integrated Skills Test (ISE)

  ISE III, ISE III, & ISE IV with a pass in each component

  LanguageCert English language qualification

  B2 Communicator Test with an overall 39 or above and 25 or above in all skills