Study Details: MSc 2 years full-time
This blended learning apprenticeship course provides the opportunity for those who have studied an undergraduate degree to undertake a two-year full-time Master’s. It has been designed to provide a flexible way to study whilst being employed in learning disability healthcare services. It will assist you in 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 will 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.
This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and has strong partnerships with NHS Trusts, private and voluntary organisations.
You will be supported by a team who really understand what it is like to be a learning disability nurse and will learn through lectures, seminars, group work, simulation and role play.
You will practice and develop your skills through a variety of clinical placements in a range of statutory, private and voluntary services, in order to prepare you to pursue your career.
You will learn how to work in partnership with service users, their families, carers and other professionals to promote health and wellbeing.
You will have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.
This course uses mainly digital technologies and includes practical hands-on experience. Although the theoretical component is predominantly delivered online, you will attend the campus in Huddersfield (or similar venue close to your home) for a maximum total of four one-week blocks for simulation and skills training. You will do this in each year of the course, providing the opportunity for you to practise skills in a safe and controlled environment. You will also undertake practice placements across the NHS and healthcare organisations in a setting close to home.
Learning disability nursing is an exciting and rewarding career where you can support people from a range of backgrounds to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Learning disability nurses provide hands on care, as well as emotional and educational support in order to promote an individual’s independence. They work in people’s homes, schools, respite units, hospitals and secure services to empower individuals to achieve their potential and have more choice and control over their lives. Working in partnership with the individual and their families, learning disability nurses work independently and with other professionals, learning how to respond to individual needs.
In line with the apprenticeship model, the course is designed to support a training in practice approach. Whilst undertaking the course you will remain employed by your host organisation and may spend 20% of your time in your current workplace. The remaining 80% will be spent at the University undertaking theory work and clinical placements. The course is designed to be progressively demanding and once qualified you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and work as a Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities.
If you are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you will also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.
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 course by your employer.
Have an Honours degree (2:2 or above) and work experience relevant to the programme to be followed. Applicants with an Honours degree and considerable relevant experience may also be considered if they can demonstrate their ability to study at Master’s Level.
In addition, you must have completed 12 years of general education and 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 equivalent.
Applicants are required to successfully demonstrate that they have completed 550 hours of theory through studying/reading and 325 hours of practice before they start the course using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] requirement). A broad range of experience can be used for this including observations and reading. Your experience and learning may have occurred outside a typical ‘practice’ area but is still applicable, for example you may have worked in a public facing professional role in which you will have demonstrated values relating to nursing. If you are successful at interview support will be provided on how to complete this document face-to-face, by phone or online.
You must 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.
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 also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, occupational health clearances and RPL (NMC) evidence prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You will 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 must meet the NMC (2018c) in respect of literacy and numeracy, good character and good health.
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 will be considered acceptable. Read more about the University’s for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.
If you have alternative qualifications you may wish to contact us for advice before applying. Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study. Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University’s minimum .
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
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