Nursing (Learning Disabilities) PGDip
Join a dedicated programme for registered nurses that enables you to train in a second field of nursing. Graduate with eligibility to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a qualified learning disability nurse.
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Example offers: | You must have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a nurse and provide evidence of having worked as a registrant in your intended second field. 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in a health-related subject. View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Nursing |
| Faculty: | Health, Social Care and Medicine |
| Department: | Nursing and Midwifery |
Could you support people living with a learning disability? Have you got what it takes to be an advocate and meet their needs? Training as a learning disability nurse, you’ll learn to work with people with a diverse range of health conditions.
Our PGDip Nursing (Learning Disabilities) meets the high demand for nurses who can work with complex morbidities across the lifespan within different settings. It enables qualified adult, children’s and mental health nurses, who have current registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, to undertake an additional professional role in learning disability nursing.
Drawing on your experience, you’ll apply nursing principles, qualities and knowledge to explore care for adults and children with learning disabilities. Then you’ll put everything into practice on supervised work placements and discover how to help people live as independently as possible.
NMC approved
Once you graduate you’ll be eligible to register as a qualified learning disability nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). You’ll have the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to plan, coordinate and deliver care in a safe, compassionate and effective way.
We’re proud to have been nominated for 9 awards in the 2026 Student Nursing Times Awards.
Nursing & Midwifery Council
Course features
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
What you'll study
This programme adheres closely to the six core values of the NHS. These values, enshrined within the NHS Constitution, have been developed by patients, the public and staff to inspire passion in the NHS, guide it in the 21st century, and provide common ground for cooperation in achieving shared aspirations.
In this PGDip Nursing (Learning Disabilities) you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to align with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency.
Develop all the skills needed for a second field of nursing, while consolidating your existing knowledge and skills. There’s a big focus on leadership and management, and you’ll get an in-depth understanding of medication, pharmacology, consent, safeguarding and law, providing a smooth transition to professional practice in your chosen additional field.
How you'll study
Seminars, lectures, work-based learning, tutorials and technology enhanced learning will be used to deliver this programme. While the majority of classes will take place at Edge Hill University, some learning may involve studying at sites other than Ormskirk in which case you will be responsible for travel and parking costs.
You will develop confidence in learning disability nursing through a combination of simulated education and extensive time in practice undertaken in hospitals and community settings within the NHS, local authorities, and independent and voluntary organisations. Practice settings will be drawn from our network of more than 600 placement locations across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire. You will be supported by a practice placement assessor and supervisor.
Placements will include weekend, early morning, evening and night work to ensure access to a full range of practice experiences across 24-hour care. You will be responsible for travel and parking costs while on placement.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed by a written assessment, oral assessment, a simulated practice assessment and will also complete a practice assessment document.
While on practice placement, you will be supported in the development of the application of knowledge and skills, leading to the assessment of related proficiencies.
Who will be teaching you
You will be taught by professionals in learning disabilities nursing, other fields of nursing, and other specialist areas within health and social care.
The programme team represent a range of qualified, research-active professionals with extensive experience of working in the health and social care sector.
Most importantly, service users, carers and their families will be involved in facilitating your learning so that you gain an understanding of the impact care has on individual groups.
Entry criteria
You must have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a nurse and provide evidence of having worked as a registrant in your intended second field. It is a Nursing and Midwifery Council requirement that any prior experiential learning used to gain entry to the course is capable of being mapped to the standards of proficiency for registered nurses.
You should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above). Health-related subjects are preferred but not essential. Other subjects will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants without a degree may be considered based on practice experience, subject to demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, including an in-depth awareness of current issues. Skills in critical analysis and evaluation, as well as the ability to learn in a flexible, independent manner, are essential.
An interview forms part of the selection process.
If you accept an offer from Edge Hill you will need to satisfy the requirements of the Nursing & Midwifery Council in respect of physical and mental fitness and will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults’. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this course, please email Katie Molyneux at katie.molyneux@edgehill.ac.uk ,in the first instance.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at edgehilluniversity.kinsta.cloud/studentterms.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine offers outstanding facilities for the education and training of health and social care professionals.
The contemporary teaching and learning resources include leading edge clinical skills facilities, an 860-seat lecture theatre, and a variety of teaching rooms and social learning spaces.
Where you'll study
Learning resources
The Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre offers a variety of simulated environments from home, through primary and emergency care, to secondary care and beyond. The flexible and adaptable facilities include a ward environment, operating theatre, an anatomy and ultrasound resource centre, a ‘Better at Home’ suite, clinical skills area and consultation rooms.
You will benefit from access to a wide variety of healthcare equipment, as well as a range of full-body patient simulators that can breathe, talk, have pulses and can simulate a wide range of symptoms and clinical conditions. This will enable you to undertake practical scenarios in realistic settings, providing ideal preparation for professional practice placements and future employment.
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,790
for the course
Financial support
Please note: Funding for this course must be arranged independently, as it is not eligible for Student Finance loans or grants. If you require further information regarding fees or funding, please contact FHSCMfees@edgehill.ac.uk.
Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see our EU student finance page for further details.
Your future career
You’ll graduate with an academic and professional qualification in learning disability nursing, building on your existing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This is recognised across the world and presents a wide range of career options across both fields of practice.
Your opportunities within the NHS, voluntary and independent sectors include roles in:
- clinical practice
- research
- leadership
- management
- education
You may choose further professional development and specialism. For example, you’ll have the opportunity to progress to a Masters degree through the completion of a 60-credit dissertation.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
