BSc (Hons) in Nursing Studies (Learning Disability)

Learning Disability nursing involves working in partnership with individuals and families to improve autonomy, promote health and support inclusion. This includes making a real contribution towards enhancing behaviors and lifestyles that help achieve the best health outcomes.

This programme focuses on meeting the holistic needs of people with learning disabilities. You will explore key themes within contemporary learning disability practice including meeting health needs, community engagement, person-centered planning, inclusion, and integration, addressing health inequalities, legislation, forensic practice, care planning and assessment, evidence-based practice, research methods and appraisal.

You will undertake a variety of practical learning experiences within a variety of health and social care settings.

GCU's virtual learning environment and state-of-the-art inter-professional simulation suite provide flexible, innovative, appropriate and effective learning design, content and assessment. There is the opportunity to undertake clinical placements in a variety of NHS Health Boards and third sector organizations throughout the west and central Scotland.

Your career

On successful completion of the programme, graduates are eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

There is a wide range of employment opportunities in both NHS and third sector services, e.g. assessment and treatment units, community learning disability teams, hospital liaison services, forensic services, child and adolescent mental health service, and other specialist services.

What you will study

Year 1

Values and Rights-based Nursing practice, Health Improvement, Contemporary Health Care Delivery, Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice.

Year 2

Working in interprofessional teams. Promoting personal outcomes for people with learning disabilities, Optimising Health Assets for People with Learning Disabilities.

Year 3

Applying evidence-based practice. Promoting health equality for people with learning disabilities, Risk Enablement in Learning Disability Nursing.

Year 4

Honours level dissertation, Leadership in Interprofessional teams, Advancing the Application of Values-Based Nursing Practice in Health and Social Care.

Entry requirements

All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Year 1

SQA Higher

BBBB including English and a science and Nat 5 Maths at C

A level

BCC preferably including a science subject, and GCSE English language and Maths at C/4

ILC Higher

H2 H2 H3 H3 including English and preferably a science subject, plus Ordinary Level Maths at B1

IB Diploma

24 points including a science

College

SWAP West Access to Honours Nursing at partner colleges. Science-based HNCs will be considered. Applicants must have numeracy and literacy equivalent to National 5 level.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Applied Science, Biological/Biomedical Science or Health Care related at DMM. GCSE Maths and English at C/4 is also required.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English will normally be required to hold IELTS with 7.0 in each element or equivalent.

Additional information

Other academic and vocational qualifications

Each application to GCU is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognized professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.

International pathways

If you do not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible for the English for University Study programme.

Additional requirements

Applicants are expected to have evidence of assessed study within the last 5 years. Selected applicants will be invited to attend one of our Applicant Days as part of the admissions process.

Fees and funding

The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?

Tuition fees 2018/19

• Home: £1820
• RUK: £9250*
• EU: £1820
• International: £11,500

*Total tuition fees for RUK students completing a three or four-year degree are capped at £27,750. Specific fees are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Government and may change once confirmed.

If you commence your studies in September 2018 or January 2019, these are the annual or module fees that apply to the duration of your course; however, fees are subject to change. For full details on how fees may change read our fees and refund policy.

Additional costs

In addition to course tuition fees, you may encounter additional costs during your time at University.

Scholarships

We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of over £2.5 million per year.

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding scholarships available for 2018/19, please feel free to contact the student inquiries team.

International student start dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Assessment methods

We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of business and management and a portfolio of intellectual and personal skills.

Each module on the programme uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, management reports, case studies, presentations, and group work.

Teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods we use to ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centered, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.

Professional accreditation

On successful completion of the programme, graduates are eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).