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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing Bachelor's degree at Northampton
BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing at Northampton is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a qualified nurse specialising in learning disabilities.
BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Learn skills needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council with the University of Northampton’s Learning Disability Nursing degree BSc.... From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Nursing and midwifery graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 92% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.7
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional91
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent80
Moderate evidence Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Discovering My Identity as a NurseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop nursing students self awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse understanding how health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills form their nursing identity. Additionally the module will develop communication skills and understanding of how constructive feedback can be used to evaluate self and effect positive change.
- Professionalism and Public Protection in NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide the student nurse with underpinning theoretical knowledge of the scientific, legal, professional and personal context of nursing in order to participate in practice safely, ethically and lawfully across all fields of nursing and within a range of clinical practice settings.
- Exploring the Evidence Base for NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to equip nursing students with the theoretical foundation, skills and evidenced based knowledge to fully participate in person centred decision making, influence positive lifestyle choices and beginning the students own professional development.
- Guided Participation in Nursing CareCompulsory60 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning and simulation and practice experiences a student requires to achieve the NMC proficiencies, enabling progression through to the 2nd part of the programme. Through their electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours identified at the first progression point by
Year 2 4 modules
- Constructing and Developing My Nursing IdentityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to further develop adult, children and young people's, mental health and learning disability nursing students self-awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse, deepening understanding of how health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills form their nurse identity and enable them to problem solve within their field of nursing. Additionally the module will further develop communication skills i
- Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to build on and further develop adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health student nurses theoretical knowledge, advancing their critical understanding and application of the generic and field specific scientific, legal and professional context of nursing, enabling them to initiate safe practice that is ethical and lawful across all fields of nursing and within a range of clinical practice settings.
- Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Learning Disability NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to further develop Learning Disability nursing students professional development, theoretical foundation, skills and evidenced absed knowledge to initiate person centred decision making, influencing positive lifestyle choices, improve health outcomes and understand the appropriateness and quality of care to effect service improvement.
- Active Participation in Nursing CareCompulsory60 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning and simulation and practice experiences students require to achieve the set of NMC proficiencies enabling progression through to the 3rd part of the programme. Through the electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours, relevant to chosen field of nursing, iden
Year 3 5 modules
- Developing My Nurse Identity Towards Becoming a RegistrantCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to further develop adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health nursing students critical self awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse, deepening understanding of how complex health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills enable collaborative leadership and effect change management within their chosen field. Additionally the module will further develop advance
- Becoming a Professional, Responsible, and Accountable Registered NurseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to further develop the adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health student nurses wide ranging theoretical knowledge, enabling them to critically evaluate, lead, manage and reflect on the application of the scientific, legal and professional context of nursing in their chosen field, ensuring safe, ethical and lawful practice across all fields of nursing and in a range of clinical practice settings.
- Demonstrating Competence in Safe, Effective Administration, Optimisation of Medicines and Numeracy AssessmentCompulsory
Module details
The purpose of this module is to ensure adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health student nurses knowledge and understanding of pharmacology, the principles of safe effective administration and optimisation of medicines, their proficiency and accuracy when calculating dosages of prescribed medicines and their application of the health numeracy assessment, in the relevant clinical setting is complete, enabling student nurses to join the NMC nursing register in thei
- Leading and Coordinating Learning Disability Nursing CareCompulsory60 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning and simulation and practice experiences Learning disability nursing students require to achieve completion of the set of NMC proficiencies enabling registration. Through the electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, Learning disability nursing students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours identified b
- Transforming and Innovating Learning Disability NursingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to continue the development of Learning Disability students professional development, theoretical evidenced based knowledge and skills to enable them to lead and mange person centred decision making, respectfully influencing positive lifestyle choices to improve health outcomes and exert influence on the appropriateness and quality of care to effect service improvement
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This degree equips you with the clinical and theoretical skills to register as a qualified learning disability nurse. You'll usually start with foundations in nursing practice, anatomy and physiology, alongside supervised clinical placements that run throughout the course. Year 2 moves into acute and long-term care, medicines management, and broader placement settings such as community and mental health. In Year 3, you'll study complex care and leadership, evidence-based practice, and consolidate your competence through a final placement leading to NMC registration. A course like this typically balances classroom learning with practical experience in real healthcare environments.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates and school leavers interested in nursing and healthcare. Recent data shows that half of accepted students held a previous degree. The most common UCAS tariff among entrants was 112–127 points, though this reflects what students typically had rather than a formal requirement. You'll develop practical and theoretical knowledge in learning disability nursing within a supportive university environment.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing and Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National earnings data shows graduates in this field earn £27,000–£30,500 at the 15-month point, rising to £27,200–£38,400 after five years. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
University & format
The University of Northampton, located at Waterside Campus, delivers this 3-year full-time degree taught in English. The BSc (Hons) is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council for registration as a qualified nurse (learning disabilities). The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and the course holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Bursaries and scholarships are available through the university's funding pages.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC at A level, DMM at BTEC typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
AccreditationNMC
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Open daysOpen Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held a previous degree50% of accepted students came in with a previous degree (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 112 - 127 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedApproved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the purpose of registration as a qualified nurse (learning disabilities)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| a previous degree | 50% |
| A-levels or equivalent | 20% |
| an Access course | 20% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeB703quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code B703). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
International£20,000 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Northampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Northampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £28,500 | £28,000 – £32,000 | 70 |
| 3 years after | £29,500 | £22,500 – £35,500 | 305 |
| 5 years after | £33,500 | £25,000 – £39,500 | 290 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
80%
in work or further study 15 months on
92%
in highly skilled work or study
90%
continue past their first year
94%
find their work meaningful
86%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£28,500
£27,000 – £30,500After 3 years LEO
£29,500
£23,800 – £33,600After 5 years LEO
£33,500
£27,200 – £38,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £39,500
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
80 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
80% working0% working and studying0% in further study92% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
This course £33,500Peer median £31,500Middle 50% £28,000–£34,000
72nd percentile
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Nursing ProfessionalsSOC 2020 223 · 87% of published destinations · ASHE median £37,597
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 200; response rate: 67%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing is worth about +£65,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Solid payoff: pays for itself within the typical range for a degree
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 13.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
+£65,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
3.2×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£33,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£9,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Nursing & Health courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes87%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.7 out of 10: NSS 90.6% · in work or study 80% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Northampton
All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
Students360,360
Aged 25+51.5%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £20,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held a previous degree. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Nursing and midwifery graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 92% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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