Registered Nurse (Degree Apprenticeship) (Blended Learning) Learning Disability BSc(Hons)

About the course

This course has been designed for those who would like to become a nurse and are located within the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, Cheshire and Merseyside, North West, Cumbria or North Lincolnshire. If you are located outside these areas please visit Health Education England for information on your nearest course provider.

This apprenticeship course has been designed to provide the opportunity to study whilst being employed in learning disability healthcare services. During this apprenticeship you’ll get the opportunity to develop the vital skills, values and confidence you need to work with people who have a range of learning disabilities, providing hands on care in relation to their complex physical, social and psychological needs. You'll also have the chance to develop a high level of personal and technical skills to help improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability and their ability to live as independently as possible.

In line with the apprenticeship model, the course is designed to support a training in practice approach. Whilst undertaking the course you’ll remain employed by your host organisation. You'll spend one day a week working for your employer in your current role. The other 30 hours a week will be either on placement in clinical practice or in university. The course is designed to be progressively demanding and once qualified you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and work as a Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities.

If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

Why study Registered Nurse (Degree Apprenticeship) (Blended Learning) Learning Disability BSc(Hons)

This blended learning course provides a flexible way to study using mainly digital technologies. You’ll attend the campus for a maximum total of 20 days per year of the course and you’ll also undertake practice placements across the NHS and healthcare organisations in a setting close to home. These will take place in a wide range of clinical practice settings, allowing you to provide care and support for both children and adults.

You'll be taught by a team who really understand what it is like be a learning disability nurse. Individuals with learning disabilities are also involved in the development of our teaching materials and will work with you on campus. To enhance your learning, you can borrow a clinical skills kit to familiarise yourself with fundamental equipment you may use in practice.

You’ll learn online through seminars and group work and have the chance to be part of an online community, to showcase your work, collaborate with peers and establish relationships with tutors. You’ll also learn through independent, self-directed study, developing confidence in your self-discipline and organisational skills.

In 2024, the University’s new Daphne Steele Building will open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus, too, allowing Learning Disability Nursing students to benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.

Entry requirements

This course has been designed for those who would like to become a nurse and are located within the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, Cheshire and Merseyside, North West, Cumbria or North Lincolnshire. If you are located outside these areas please visit Health Education England for information on your nearest course provider.

You must:

• Be employed in healthcare and supported to undertake the apprenticeship course by your employer.
• Have BBB at A Level (120 UCAS points). If you are studying a Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course, DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, Merit at T Level, NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade B or a Pass in Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits 15 at Distinction, 30 at Merit.
• Have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and the ability to access and use online study guidance and support as this course is delivered through distance learning.
• Have GCSE English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.
• Meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018c) entry requirements in respect of literacy and numeracy, good character and good health.

Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record.

You’ll need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You’ll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination.

You’ll also be required to complete an Initial Needs Assessment.

Prior to starting the apprenticeship, you’ll need to agree to the terms set in the evidence pack. This will include the commitment statement, which will be signed by you, your employer and the University of Huddersfield as the main education provider for the apprenticeship.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which allows a maximum of 50% of credits for the award to be conferred through accreditation of prior learning.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

If you have alternative qualifications, including the nursing associate foundation degree, you may wish to contact us for advice before applying. Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study. A Nursing Associate qualification will usually mean you can be granted Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) onto the second year of the 3-year BSc course but please check prior to applying. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered via a portfolio of evidence mapped against the NMC standards of proficiency and the apprenticeship framework for Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA). As sector leaders in apprenticeships we hope this attracts more people to train as nurses and help towards recruiting more apprentices. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

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