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Nursing (Learning Disability)
BN · 3 Years · Full-time · 07/09/2026 · UndergraduateSighthill
Course summary
Voted Best Education Provider for the Undergraduate Nursing Programme of the Year at the SNTA National Awards 2017.
Learning disability nurses aim to improve the health and quality of life of people with learning disabilities through evidence-based nursing care and support.
This degree course will develop your professional knowledge and understanding in the field 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 a variety of 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 programme with a registered nurse qualification. Learning disability nurses are the only professionals educated specifically to work across the lifespan with people with learning disabilities.
Please visit our website for full course and module details.
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B761
- Institution code:
- E59
- Campus name:
- Sighthill
- Campus Code:
- S
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BC
Preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**
GCSE grade C/4 in Maths also required.
GCSE grade C/4 in English and a Science subject/Double Award Science required for candidates who do not have these subjects at A Level.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
Minimum grades MMP (Merit, Merit, Pass) in any subject.*
GCSE English, Maths and a Science subject** at grade C/4 also required.
*Recommended subjects: Health and Social Care/Applied Science/Sports Science/Health Science.
Access to HE Diploma - M: 27 credits P: 18 credits
Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma in any subject with 45 credits overall, with minimum 27 credits at Merit & 18 credits at Pass. English, Maths and a Science subject** must be achieved at Level 2/3 as part of the diploma.
Scottish Higher - BBC
Preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**
National 5 Maths OR Applications of Maths at grade C or above also required.
National 5 English and a Science subject** at grade C or above required for candidates who do not have these subjects at Higher.
If you are eligible for an adjusted offer under our Contextual Admissions Policy, please see the ‘Minimum Qualification Requirements’ below.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
25 points overall with three Higher Level subjects at grades 5, 4, 4, preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**
Standard Level Maths, English and a Science subject** at grade 4 also required if not studied at Higher Level.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3
Grades H3, H3, H3 preferably to include English or Literary subject* and a Science subject**
For those who do not have English, Maths and a Science subject at Higher level, grade O3 at Ordinary Level will be required.
Scottish HNC - Pass
Pass in any subject with grade C in the graded unit for Year 1 entry. For the subjects below, the National 5 requirements differ. For all other HNC's, National 5 grade C in Maths, English and a Science is also required.
- Care and Administrative Practice/Healthcare Practice (No additional National 5 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)
T Level - P
Pass in any subject, preferably English or a Literary subject** or a Science Subject**
GCSE Maths at C/4 also required.
GCSE English and a Science Subject** at C/4 required for applicants who do not have these subjects at A-Level.
Standard Year 1 Entry Requirements
QQI Level 5 Pre-Nursing Studies - Minimum of 6 Distinctions must be achieved overall. Distinctions must also be achieved in the Communication Unit and the Anatomy and Physiology Unit.
B2/O3 in Ordinary Level Maths in Irish Leaving Certificate or Maths completed as part of QQI Level 5.
Mature students - Adequate and appropriate previous (and recent) study is essential. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk if you are unsure whether or not you would be eligible to apply. Relevant work experience will be considered alongside recent study. It may necessary for those with limited qualifications to undertake an Access course or other appropriate courses/studies in a Further Education setting.
*Literary Subjects include: English/English Literature, History, Modern Studies, Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies/Christian Theology, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Health and Social Care, Law.
**Science Subjects include: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE (only accepted as a Science subject if studied at Higher level)
Selection Day Requirements - Part of the selection process for entry to the programme of your choice will include a computer based Confident Caring Assessment (CCA) where you will be given a short video and related scenario with questions. This is an assessment of the attributes expected of a nurse/ midwife, not your clinical knowledge and skills. It is designed to assess the qualities needed to work as a nurse/ midwife and the proficiencies outlined in the:
Nurses Standards of proficiency
Standards of proficiency for midwives
The Code
It presents a series of work-related situations, and you will be questioned about how you would respond. All applicants are required to sit the CCA.
If you require adjustment for a learning support need, please get in touch by emailing nursingandmidwifery@napier.ac.uk before your selection event.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BCC
Preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science subject**
National 5 Maths OR Applications of Maths at grade C or above also required.
National 5 English and a Science subject** at grade C or above required for candidates who do not have these subjects at Higher.
*Literary subjects include: English/English Literature, History, Modern Studies, Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies/Christian Theology, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Health and Social Care, Law.
**Science Subjects include: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Physics; PE (only accepted as a Science subject if studied at Higher level).
The grades listed above are our minimum entry requirements for applicants who meet our widening participation criteria. For further information about our entry requirements and our widening participation criteria as outlined within our Contextual Admissions Policy please visit our website.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Health checks
- Interview
- Other
- Satisfactory PVG Check required.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | IELTS 7.0 overall with no component below 7.0 (excluding writing which requires 6.5). |
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Edinburgh Napier University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
International - Year 1 £18,220 - £21,120 (See course page for details)
Edinburgh Napier University
219 Colinton Road
Edinburgh
EH14 1DJ
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Course contact details
Course Enquiries
Email:studentrecruitment@napier.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)333 900 60 40
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