Nursing (Learning Disability)

Nursing (Learning Disability) - MSc

Learning Disability Nurses are central to supporting people with learning disabilities achieve the best outcomes to maintain and improve health and promote wellbeing. This course will enable you to become a confident and competent learning disability nurse. You will gain practical placement experience to equip you with all of the skills required to support individuals with a learning disability to lead a healthy and valued life.

Month of entry

September

Mode of study

Full time

Location

Keele University campus Hospital campus

Subject area

Nursing

Fees for 2024/25 academic year

UK Full Time - £9,250 per year
International Full Time - £17,100 per year

Duration of study

2 years

Apply now

Why study Nursing (Learning Disability) at Keele University?

Gain an MSc in an accelerated two year timeframe and become a qualified postgraduate nurse, ready to work in your chosen specialism

Experience a stimulating blend of learning activities including practice learning, simulation, problem based learning, tutorials, lectures and clinical workshops

Benefit from a wide variety of innovative assessments that will develop and enhance your graduate skill set

Course summary

If you're a highly motivated graduate with care experience who wishes to become a registered learning disability nurse and gain an MSc in an accelerated two year timeframe, the MSc Nursing graduate entry programme is perfect for you.

People with learning disabilities are amongst one of the most socially excluded and vulnerable groups in the UK today. To overcome these barriers and challenges, the Learning Disability (LD) nurse has a vast range of skills to utilise in supporting individuals with learning disabilities to access services for which they are entitled. LD nurses can comprehensively assess health and social care needs; provide interventions to maintain and improve health and promote wellbeing; provide advice, education and support to people and their carers throughout their care journey. They also enable equality of access and outcomes within health and social care services; provide education and support to promote healthy lifestyle and choices; and act to safeguard and protect the rights of people with learning disabilities.

The programme builds your academic skill sets, professional responsibility and technical complexity related to patient care throughout the two years. Successful completion of this innovative programme will ensure you will meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The programme meets the NMC standards for pre-registration nursing education. The NMC (2018a) reviewed their standards with the publication of 'Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses' and this programme reflects the comprehensive range of subject knowledge, clinical skills and leadership required of the Registered Nurse. Higher Education (HE) quality standards through Quality Academic Assurance Standards (QAA) are met through the Higher Education Credit Framework for England bodies (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2018; 2021). In addition, the programme philosophy addresses contemporary challenges faced by health care practitioners in providing effective clinical care, recognising the key issues developed in the NHS in England at 75: priorities for the future (NHS, 2023).

The Keele ‘Future Nurse’ MSc Nursing programme has been designed to meet the seven NMC platforms, which underpin pre-registration nursing education (NMC, 2018a). These require you, regardless of your chosen field, to demonstrate core knowledge, skills, standards, behaviours to meet people’s needs, as well as field-specific knowledge and skills as required in either adult, children’s, learning disability or mental health nursing.

We aim to facilitate your development to become one of the best post-graduate nurses in the country. To achieve this you will develop a skill set which includes:

Deliver safe, competent, evidence-based nursing practice
Adopting professional values, attitudes and behaviours
Developing your interpersonal skills
Effective team-working
Improving management and leadership skills
Demonstrate competence in research and be able to successfully manage a project

Next steps

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Learning Disability Nurse with service user

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Course structure

Year 1 (Level 7)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits
Nursing Care in Context and Health Promotion	NUR-40095	30
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 1	NUR-40107	15
Research Methods in Nursing	NUR-40097	15
Applied Pharmacology and Safety Msc	NUR-40099	15
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 2	NUR-40109	15

Year 2 (Level 7)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits
Dissertation	NUR-40105	30
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 3	NUR-40111	15
Leadership in Nursing Practice	NUR-40103	15
Clinical Judgement and Decision Making	NUR-40101	15
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 4	NUR-40113	15

The list of modules are indicative and we expect to offer the same modules, however this may change due to staff availability. If the modules change we will inform you during the admissions process.

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Nursing Care in Context and Health Promotion

Nursing Care in Context and Health Promotion (30 Credits)

The aim of this module is to build upon your previous health care related knowledge and skills, and develop a critical awareness of current philosophical, theoretical, ethical and legal perspectives and parameters and new insights which are at the forefront of nursing practice for the health and well-being of people. To provide prevention of ill-health and health promotion in relation to epidemiology, demography, genomics, global patterns of health and wellbeing outcomes and how these impact on life choices.

This module also introduces concepts of the wider determinants of health, underpinning factors relating to health and wellness across the lifespan, and the role of the nurse as a health promoter. You will study these topics relating to physical and mental health in society and community as a whole, as well as focusing on your own field of nursing.

Promoting health is a key feature of the nursing role across all fields and forms one of the seven platforms for pre-registration nursing education (NMC 2018). You will be able to apply the knowledge gained in this theory module to your practice settings, and to your career as a qualified nurse.

Research Methods in Nursing

Research Methods in Nursing (15 Credits)

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge to be a questioning, critical, reflective thinker who can confidently discuss, share and apply evidence-based findings with others to make evidence-informed decisions in all situations and challenge practice when required.

This first year nursing module will enable students with an undergraduate degree to transfer and further develop research skills to support evidence based decision making in nursing practice. Within the module, published literature will be explored specific to your field of nursing and area of interest. This module focuses on the important topic of evidence-based practice in nursing. Knowledge and skills used in nursing need to have an evidence base to be safe and effective for people with healthcare needs requiring nursing care. This module will enable you to critique nursing studies to understand what constitutes robust research in nursing and how this applies to your field of nursing practice. The knowledge and skills gained in this module will support you in the final year of your studies when you will undertake a dissertation, and as a qualified nurse to enable you to ensure care is evidence-based, and challenge this as required.

Applied Pharmacology and Safety

Applied Pharmacology and Safety (15 Credits)

This module will enable you to gain a deeper understanding into aspects of pharmacology and concepts of safety and quality in caring for people. You will learn about differing roles within the Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in relation to prescribing and accountability and responsibility of the nurse.

You will gain insight into the importance of quality improvement risk assessment and how they can influence care through clinical skills, critical discussion and practice experiences. You will also be involved in MDT discussions about medication and treatment plans and introduced to the differing roles of healthcare professionals within prescribing in placement.

You will have the opportunity to reflect on critical incidents in practice and make links to your reflective practice. You will also take part in inter-professional education during this module with other students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to aid mutual learning about each other’s roles in healthcare.

Clinical Judgement and Decision Making

Clinical Judgement and Decision Making (15 Credits)

This second and final year module focuses on the key nursing skills of appropriate clinical judgment and decision-making in nursing practice which are core to the role of the competent registered nurse. You will develop your knowledge of assessment tools to assist you in making safe judgments about people’s healthcare needs relating to your field of nursing. You will also learn about how major or serious incidents in practice are managed, and how critical incidents and complaints about care are investigated.

Leadership in Nursing Practice

Leadership in Nursing Practice (15 Credits)

This module will enable you to gain further knowledge and understanding relating to the theoretical principles of leadership and management, reflecting on your own leadership qualities and behaviours. It also focuses on the cost effectiveness of the provision of nursing care, and how a business case would be developed to support the funding of an initiative in nursing practice.

Leading and managing nursing care effectively is a key feature of future nursing practice as a registered nurse, and forms one of the seven platforms of pre-registration nursing education (NMC 2018). You may take part in inter-professional education during this module with other students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (subject to Faculty confirmation) to aid mutual learning about each other’s roles in healthcare.

Dissertation

Dissertation (30 Credits)

This second year module contributes towards the MSc Nursing award and eligibility to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). You will be encouraged to explore and appraise interesting topics of your choice based on their experiences that will enhance nursing practice in your field of nursing. The focus is on developing your ability to work independently to confidently synthesise literature findings to make recommendations for practice toward your field of nursing. As a future registered nurse you will need to understand how quality and effectiveness of nursing care can be evaluated in practice, to be able to improve service delivery and people’s experience of healthcare.

Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 1,2,3,4

Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 1,2,3,4 (15 Credits per Modules)

The first practice module of the MSc nursing programme enables you to further develop your knowledge and skills in a clinical practice setting relating to your field of nursing, managing more complex health needs and the care of a group of people, prioritising health needs, and recognising opportunities for health promotion. You are supported by a supervisor and are assessed in practice by a separate practice assessor, and reviewed by an academic assessor.

The second practice module of the first year of the MSc nursing programme enables you to further develop your knowledge and skills in a clinical practice setting relating to your field of nursing, managing more complex health needs and the care of a group of people, prioritising health needs and undertaking medicines management. You are supported by a supervisor and are assessed in practice by a separate practice assessor and academic assessor. This module prepares you for future practice modules to enable then to progress through the nursing programme.

The third practice module in the second and final year of the nursing programme enables you to begin to consolidate your nursing practice, focusing on leading nursing care for people with complex needs, managing teams to support a group of people, prioritising needs and delegating appropriately, applying research to evidence-based practice, and using safe clinical judgment and decision-making in their clinical placement. You will also reflect on your presentation skills in practice. You will develop the nursing knowledge, skills and behaviours to become the accountable professional future registered nurse required by the NMC (2018)

The fourth and final practice module of the second and final year of the nursing programme enables you to consolidate your nursing practice, focusing on leading nursing care for people with complex needs, managing teams to support a group of people, prioritising needs and delegating appropriately, applying research to evidence-based practice, and using safe clinical judgment and decision-making in their clinical placement. You will also reflect on their own leadership qualities in practice. You will consolidate the nursing knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to become the accountable professional future registered nurse required by the NMC (2018).

Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 1
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 2
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 3
Masters Clinical Nursing Practice 4

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Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subject Additional criteria apply

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Bangladesh

60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information

You will also need: 3 in Higher or Intermediate Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Canada

70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 50% in Grade 11 Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

China

70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 60% in Senior Secondary School or Gaokao Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

Second class degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: C6 in Senior School Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

India

55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 6 or C2 in Secondary School Examination Maths, or Pass in Standard XII Maths, or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Kenya

Second class degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: C in KCSE Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or 65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 40% or GPA 2.5 in the School Leaving Certificate or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: C6 in Senior School Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Pakistan

We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: 33% in Higher Secondary Certificate Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

South Africa

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject or Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 4 in NSC Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Sri Lanka

55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: C in O-level Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Uganda

Second class degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: 6 in UACE or UCE Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Zimbabwe

Second class degree in any subject
and
675 hours practical experience (paid or unpaid) in a healthcare setting

You will also need: C in Ordinary Level Maths or 4 / C in GCSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

Academic entry requirements

Please note that you will be required to have obtained the academic entry requirements before applying.

Additional entry requirements

All applicants are required to make a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) claim to demonstrate how their previous care experience and graduate studies have equipped them to undertake an accelerated nursing programme.
Applicants are required to provide a portfolio of evidence and to confirm the relevance of your theoretical knowledge and practice experience,
Applicants are required to map their evidence to the programme learning outcomes, NMC Platform Proficiencies.
A recorded presentation will be provided to assist you with the RPL requirements following successful interview.
A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required for all applicants whom are successful at interview.

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group E.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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School of Nursing and Midwifery

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Fees

In addition to costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we anticipate the following additional costs.

Travel for placements

A student’s geographical location, when possible, is taken into account when allocating to clinical placements and, whilst efforts are made to limit student travel, it is not possible to guarantee that placements will be in particular locations and students may be required to travel some distance for their placements. Clinical placements currently in use by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are within a 60 mile radius, most being 30 miles or less, from the university. Travel Expenses may be claimed in accordance with information from the NHS Learning Support Fund guidelines.

Uniform

Students may be required to purchase a set of tunics and trousers from our designated supplier to adhere to the School Uniform Policy. This may cost in the region of £60-80. You will need to provide your own appropriate footwear for placements as per the School Uniform Policy, and it is recommended that you purchase a fob watch.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Clearance

Subscription to the Disclosure and Barring update service is a requirement and costs £13 per year which students pay online at the start of each academic year. The initial DBS application cost is financed by the school.

Occupational Health Clearance

Students registering on the MSc Learning Disability Nursing programme are required to have a health fitness report provided by the University’s Occupational Health Service. As part of this process you are required to complete a health questionnaire and arrange for your GP to verify this. You will be responsible for any fee that may be required by your GP. You will be required to have the following immunisations if you have not already had them - Hepatitis B (x3), MMR (x2) and BCG. MMR vaccines are available free of charge at your GP surgery and we strongly advise you have these if needed and can provide documented evidence of vaccination. Appointments will be arranged for any outstanding vaccines once you have commenced your course. You may be required to make a contribution towards the Occupational Health and vaccination requirements of the programme.

Funding

Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.

Planning your funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Scholarships

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our scholarships and bursaries webpage for more information.

For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

The programme is divided between theoretical learning and practice learning modules, underpinned by the NMC Standards (NMC, 2018a). You will be assessed in all theory and practice modules and this will contribute towards you overall degree classification. Your programme will be split 50% theory and 50% practice to allow you to achieve the 2,300 theory hours and 2,300 practice hours for the course (inclusive of the RPL). You will undertake 90-credits of compulsory modules for each year for the duration of the two-year programme and all modules will be assessed at level 7. We have adopted the HEE Maximising Leadership Learning in the Pre-Registration Healthcare Curricula strategy (2018) and our curriculum threads- Focus on self, Working with others and Improving healthcare, into each year of the programme and is aligned to the Module.

In your first year you build and expand on the fundamentals of nursing practice including essential care and learn how to work in a professional setting. You also explore the concepts of nursing care in context, health promotion, pharmacology and develop a research plan for your dissertation.

In your second year you build on your experience and develop your skills in caring for patients with higher acuity requirements using clinical reasoning skills. You will develop leadership skills in practice, take on more responsibility and leadership in preparation for your professional transition from student nurse to registered professional. You will be prepared to manage complex nursing care to enhance the safety and quality of the patient experience. You will complete your dissertation project demonstrating the detailed application and findings of your study.

In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol .

As with all our courses, you can expect to experience a stimulating blend of learning activities, from practice learning, simulation, problem based learning, tutorials, lectures and clinical skills workshops through to innovative web-based activities and inter-professional learning.

Each module will encourage you to demonstrate deep learning that includes subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills. Service user involvement in the programme will ensure that the concept of person-centeredness is explicit.

We have a wide variety of innovative assessments that will develop and enhance your graduate skill set. These may include report writing, simulated activities, an MCQ exam, case studies, presentations, reflective writing, developing a research proposal, and undertaking a Masters dissertation.

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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Our expertise

All current teaching staff hold active NMC registration as either a nurse or midwife; those from other Schools who contribute to the programme are registered with the appropriate professional body. The majority of staff have recordable teaching qualifications or are working towards achievement of this. Moreover, they have extensive experience of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and many are external examiners at other universities. Some staff have dual qualifications.

Staff are actively encouraged to hold honorary contracts with health care provider organisations and to utilise this to ensure they remain updated with contemporary issues within their own field. A number of staff have additional roles or memberships with external organisations for example, NMC Reviewers, External Advisors to other HEI's, Member of RCN Education Forum, Members of HEE leadership in pre-registration nursing group, Journal reviewers, Member of NHS Ethics Committee, Supervisor of Midwives, Local Provider Committees and charitable organisations. The School has a significant number of staff that hold PhDs and Professional Doctorates with a number of staff currently studying at doctorate level. A number of staff have Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and many staff are working towards this.

Staff are actively involved in research across the School and belong to one of the School's four research groups. Honorary lecturers, visiting lecturers and leading clinicians are integral to the delivery of modules within the programme and are utilised where appropriate. In addition, the School has a number of clinical staff on secondment to the School.

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