Learning Disabilities Nursing MSc
Subject and course type
- Nursing, midwifery and healthcare
- Postgraduate
Make a positive difference to people's lives. Studying a masters in Learning Disabilities Nursing at Kingston will give you the specialist knowledge and clinical skills you need to become a registered Learning Disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
You are reading:
Change lives for the better
Deepen your expertise and open doors to a rewarding career with life-enhancing impact.
Our Learning Disabilities Nursing MSc is ideal for careers in frontline and specialist nursing, as well as a range of leadership opportunities. You will study the foundations of nursing and healthcare, as well as the context of nursing within a range of client groups in your specific field.
Studying Learning Disabilities Nursing at Kingston will give you a strong foundation for a career with real, life-enhancing impact. Graduates from this course are highly sought after, with previous students working as specialist nurses, nurse therapists, community nurses and in senior management.
During the course, you’ll learn about the factors affecting people's health and wellbeing. You’ll explore the health inequalities in society. And, importantly, you’ll consider how we can improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities. Through intra-professional learning with experts in a range of fields, you’ll enhance your care skills and understand the complexities of nursing at individual and organisational levels.
Your course will combine placements, simulated learning and classroom teaching. In doing so, you’ll develop the skills, values and knowledge you need to manage complex conditions effectively.
You’ll even receive a £5,000 per year, non-repayable NHS Training Grant to support your studies. Check out the NHS Business Service Authority website to find out more.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from high-quality teaching at Kingston University. Not only are we ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, we are also top in London for Nursing and Midwifery (The Complete University Guide 2026).
We even won Teaching Innovation of the Year for our public health elective placement at the 2023 Student Nursing Times Awards.
A portion of your learning will take place within our award-winning simulation suite, which creates realistic environments to help you develop skills in clinical, community and practice health settings in a safe space.
You’ll take part in innovative simulations, where role players and full-body manikins will offer unique opportunities to build the knowledge and behaviours needed for safe and effective patient care.
At the end of your first year, you’ll have the opportunity to take a national or international elective placement.
Many of our staff are active in research, often in partnership with NHS trusts. That means they bring the latest thinking and best practice to your studies, with recent themes including integrated working, implementation, emergency, cardiovascular and critical care, and more.
Kingston University is top in London for Nursing and Midwifery (The Complete University Guide 2026).
Top University in London for General Nursing, The Guardian University Guide 2026.
Accreditation
This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in nursing. On successful completion of the programme, you will be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration.
Course content
The first year is divided into two parts. In part one you will undertake a bridging module introducing you to the foundations of nursing and healthcare. In part two you will look at the context of nursing within a variety of client groups within your specific field of nursing.
In your second year (part three) you will learn about the analysis and application of research and evidence base and the complexities of nursing at individual and organisational level as well as preparing for your transition to registered nurse.
Year 1 modules (parts one and two)
Year 1 introduces the foundations of nursing and healthcare, and their various client groups.
Core modules
15 credits
This module is a core requirement for all MSc Nursing students. The content of the module is designed to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology in relation to nursing, which is an essential element of nursing proficiency. Pathophysiology will be introduced in relation to common conditions, and you will also begin to develop your knowledge of pharmacological concepts.
The main features of the module are to enable you to apply scientific principles to nursing care. It will also support you to identify and understand current nursing practices underpinned by scientific theory.
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the fundamental elements of nursing and person-centred care, compassionate communication, evidence-based practice and contemporary health policy. It will enable you to develop critical knowledge, skills and professional attributes for the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care of individuals and their families or carers across a variety of settings.
You will begin to establish a sense of their nursing field identity but also that of other fields in order to promote effective interdisciplinary and integrated care. The skills required for evidence-based healthcare will also be developed and digital healthcare as a concept introduced.
30 credits
This module will give you a solid understanding of the systems by which people with a learning disability receive care, both historically and contemporaneously. It acknowledges that people with a learning disability may receive support from agencies external to healthcare.
You will appraise and gain an understanding of the multi-disciplinary roles that non-nursing healthcare professionals provide, as well as the roles of those other, non-healthcare professionals (e.g. social work, carers, educators).
You will explore the societal and media perceptions of people with a learning disability. You will consider how to incorporate support for families, friends, and other important people into the care that is planned and delivered in partnership with people with a learning disability.
The module will equip you with a sound knowledge of safeguarding, and how to apply safeguarding approaches in practice. You will apply knowledge and understanding of the nursing process, particularly in the context of learning disabilities nursing, and utilise methods of assessment in learning disabilities nursing, e.g. The Moulster and Griffith Model. Using a co-production approach, you will practise assessing and care-planning for a variety of health and other holistic needs.
Non-credit bearing credits
This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete part 1 and to be allowed to progress.
30 credits
This module provides you with the fundamental clinical knowledge and skills required for parts 1 and 2 of the programme. You will be prepared for your role in practice, enabling you to provide evidence based, person centred care to people at any stage of life who may have a range of physical, mental, cognitive or behavioural health conditions.
You will be prepared to make evidence-based decisions by collating and rationalising relevant evidence to ensure safe, high-quality person and family-centred care in digital healthcare environment. You will also be introduced to foundational pharmacological and medicines management knowledge to enable you to safely develop your skills and knowledge in the administration of medicines to clients, patients and service users. You will develop your understanding of the regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks that influence medicines management and the underlying pharmacological science. Issues such as concordance will be explored, and the skills required to access resources to support medicines management practice.
Embedded within the module is simulated practice learning that will support the development of your clinical knowledge and skills. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. This is a shared learning module with some key field specific elements.
15 credits
This module will introduce you to the principles and practice of public health and the nurse's role within this. It will develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes to make a positive impact on the health of individuals, communities and populations.
You will be introduced to the central themes of public health practice and the NMC Future Nurse standards (2018) Platform 2. You will gain an understanding of the aims and principles of health promotion and protection and prevention of ill health. You will also develop a foundational awareness of the four core elements of public health nursing practice: Search for health needs, stimulation of awareness of health needs, influence on policy effecting health, facilitation of health enhancing activities.
You will be equipped with essential digital skills, including the use of public health intelligence to survey and assess a population's health and wellbeing. You will develop an understanding of how the social/wider determinants of health are important drivers of health inequalities. This module will also consider approaches to reducing these disparities.
You will gain an understanding of public health policy and be supported to reflect on the ethical dimensions of public health practice. The module will also introduce you to the global dimensions of health, and its links with UK health outcomes. This includes the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable development and environmental management for the benefit of public health.
Year 2 modules (part three)
Year 2 examines the analysis and application of research and evidence, and the complexities of nursing at individual and organisational levels.
Core modules
30 credits
This module prepares you for your role in leading care as a learning disabilities nurse. In this module you will critique theories of leadership, management and teamwork and apply them to your future practice when you safely and effectively lead and co-ordinate high-quality care with people with learning disabilities and their families/carers. You will explore development of the skills, knowledge, and approaches needed to lead care efficiently in the modern healthcare environment including advanced communication, teamworking, cultural competence, digital skills, delegation, feedback and facilitating learning. You will explore critically leadership theories, influencing skills, clinical governance, quality improvement, political concepts, and contextualise the implementation of developments in healthcare with change management theory.
While the focus of this module is primarily learning disability nursing, some learning will be shared across all fields of nursing through combined learning, teaching, and knowledge exchange.
Non-credit bearing credits
This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete and to be allowed to progress.
Non-credit bearing credits
This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete this level and to be allowed to progress to registration.
30 credits
This module will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for your role in coordinating and managing the care of people with a complex learning disability. You will explore the support provided in a range of organisations and settings, including working with families and other health and care professionals.
The module explores the complex role of the learning disability nurse, working as a specialist, to enrich the quality of life of people with learning disabilities across a diverse range of communities and organisations. Experts from lived experience will be involved in the learning and teaching, supporting you through a range of complex case studies whilst taking into consideration current socio economical and workforce challenges. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will build on your knowledge of partnership and collaborative working and examine the cultural, political, psychosocial and technological influences on nursing care, resource management and finances.
30 credits
This module explores the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective holistic and collaborative care for people with a learning disability. You will learn the importance of reasonable adjustments and health improvement strategies at individual and local levels to enable delivery of safe person-centred care. You will develop the knowledge and skills to support people with a learning disability in making choices about their health and care and to facilitate equal access and critically evaluate the approaches that can be taken to this. Multi-disciplinary working and current frameworks will be critically explored for delivering person-centred care. A range of evaluative techniques to measure clinical outcomes will be examined.
60 credits
Navigating the transition from student to a registrant who understands the professional and political environment in which they will be working is critically important to the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality health care. This module aims to explore the key areas that will enable you to transition and fulfil the role of a registered nurse and also to prepare you for your role as a practice supervisor. The module is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice by further developing your knowledge and skills to enable you to be an accountable and compassionate registrant within the health and social care system. There is a focus on the mechanisms that underpin care organisation and delivery, how nurses are integral to and can influence this and aims to develop your critical understanding of the factors influencing the environment in which you will be working.
The module will also develop your collaborative learning and teaching knowledge and skills enabling you to work with peers, people and families/carers. You will integrate your knowledge of learning theories, communication and relational skills to enable you to work collaboratively with others, critically reflecting on the challenges this can pose. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will have the opportunity to critically discuss inter and intra professional working alongside developing strategies for managing challenging communication. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. This is a shared module that all students will undertake together, providing opportunities for intra-professional discussion and learning.
Career opportunities
After you graduate
Recent Kingston postgraduates have gone on to a variety of nursing careers in a range of acute and community settings within the NHS and independent sector. Options include roles in hospitals, GPS, district nursing, prisons, private hospitals, charities and armed forces.
Links with the health sector
We have a range of strong links with the health sector, which means big opportunities for you during and after your studies.
- Achieve Together
- Barts Health (CTPLD)
- The Children’s Trust
- Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (Putney)
- Prison Placements (Oxleas / West London NHS Trusts)
- Priory Group
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools
- South West London St. George’s Mental Health Trust
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust
- West London NHS Trust
- Your Healthcare
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities such as lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include placements, project work, practical sessions, workshops, conferences and field trips.
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking and preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS – the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 20% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment methods include: essays, exams, presentations and reports and clinical skills assessed in our simulation suites and by practice supervisors and practice assessors in practice placements.
The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:
- Year 1: 58% coursework; 42% exams
- Year 2: 67% coursework; 33% exams
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,790 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2026/27): | £19,900 |
| Year 2 (2027/28): | £20,700 |
Fees for future course years
Full time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
NHS Training Grant
Nursing students on pre-registration courses will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which doesn’t need to be paid back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information, please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.
Scholarships and bursaries
Interested in studying a masters in Children's Nursing at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
Full-time students qualify for the same support for tuition fees and living costs as undergraduate students. You can access loans from the Student Loans Company, or visit our Fees and Funding page to find out about the options available to you.
Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which doesn’t need to be paid back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information, please visit the NHS Business Service Authority.
The government provides grants to support you while you do your clinical placements. You do not have to pay these back. Here’s what’s on offer through the NHS Business Services Authority:
- £2,000 Child Dependants' Allowance
- Up to £3,000 for exceptional hardship
- Reimbursement of additional travel and accommodation costs over normal daily travel to clinical placements
Please note, you can’t apply for a pre-registration masters qualification in the same profession that you are already registered in. For example, if you hold a BSc Nursing in Adult Nursing, you won’t be able to apply for a Mental Health Nursing masters.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full-time and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni. Visit our postgraduate funding page to find out more about our alumni discount.
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries for international students.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations: Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Placements
Placement expenses for travel and accommodation may be reimbursed by NHS Bursaries where, for example, the requirement exceeds that of attending university; or requires additional accommodation to that of the usual term time location. These expenses may need to be covered initially by the student before any applicable reimbursement is received. Please note: EU and international students may not be eligible for support for travel and accommodation.
The University will pay for your application to be processed, but you’ll need to subscribe to the Update Service for £16 per year. This allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to your DBS.
We provide you with a uniform. You will need to purchase appropriate shoes (£20–£60) and a fob watch (£5–£20) for practice. Additional uniform items will be available for purchase if you want them.
Professional body membership fees will be about £10 while you’re studying this course. When you qualify, it costs £120 to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council for a year.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to UCAS where you will complete your application. You should:
- Submit your application between the beginning of the September before you come to university and mid-January if you're a UK or EU applicant
- Visit the UCAS website for exact dates and more information
- Complete your application in full, including your personal details and academic record
- Supply a reference and personal statement
- Submit your application as early as possible to have the best chance of receiving the right offers.
- The UCAS code for Kingston University is K84.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
