BSc (Honours) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
Three years full-time
UCAS code • B761
This course is subject to reapproval
Location • Collegiate Campus
Subject area • Nursing and midwifery
Related subjects • Social work
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View profiles of students on this course
View a 360 degree tour of our mock hospital ward.
View a video explaining more about the benefits of this course and studying nursing with us.
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. Find out more.
2014 entry requirements
You must have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity, and a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature and mathematics (or equivalent such as Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 Communication/Application of Number) plus one from the following
• 280 points from GCE/VCE A2 levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies A level but AS levels do not count towards the points total.
• Access – Access to HE Diploma for a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 30 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
• other equivalent qualifications, including degrees in other subjects
*GCSE alternatives
The GCSE alternatives we accept are
• Level 2 Adult Literacy or Numeracy
• Key Skills Level 2 Communication or Application of Number
• Functional Skills Level 2 English or mathematics
• OCR science level 2
• science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Qualification
• science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits gained at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
IELTS
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Care experience
Before you apply for health courses, we require you to have gained some practical experience relating to your subject area. Download our applicant experience guidelines for information about the kinds of experience we expect you to have and the best places to gain it. Evidence of the experience gained, understanding of the profession and a genuine, reasoned commitment to studying a professional course must be explicit in your personal statement to be selected for interview.
Personal qualities
You must be able to demonstrate your potential to be caring and compassionate and the ability develop meaningful professional relationships with service users, families and carer.
Skill requirements
You need to demonstrate an ability to
• study academic subjects at degree level
• debate topics and issues
• draw on conclusions from written material
• study independently as well as a member of a group
• use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above within the last four years.
Course enrolment – professional requirements
Before enrolling, you must fully declare during the admissions process any
• unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on convictions that must be declared see the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) website.
• disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or educational establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
You also need to complete
• a DBS Enhanced Disclosure, and provide us with a copy of your DBS Enhanced Disclosure Certificate if requested. Enrolment also depends on the DBS check being deemed suitable for professional training.
• occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course and an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by the University.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements – from when you apply to the end of your course – you must tell the Professional Issues Team immediately by calling 0114 225 3995 or 0114 225 5786.
Disability support
If you have a disability or long term health condition which you think may affect your ability to meet the course requirements, you can contact our nursing learning needs (disability) co-ordinators on 0114 225 2470 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
This course is only open to home or EU fee assessed students.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to attend an interview event.
As nursing can involve strenuous physical, psychological and emotionally taxing work, we recommend you come to a University open day to learn more about the general expectations of the course.
2013 entry requirements
You must have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity, and a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature and mathematics (or equivalent such as Level 2 adult literacy/numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 communication/application of number) plus one from the following
• 280 points from GCE/VCE A2 levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies A level but AS levels do not count towards the points total.
You apply for this course through UCAS.
2013/14 academic year
If you are studying a course funded by the Department of Health (nursing, midwifery or the allied health professions) you will not normally pay any fees yourself, as they will be paid for you by the Department of Health.
You may be eligible for an NHS bursary but you will not be eligible for the bursaries and scholarships described in the Sheffield Hallam University Bursary Scheme. For more information on NHS bursaries visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/4002.aspx
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
• essays • examinations • practice learning portfolio • poster presentations • report writing • assessment of practice on placement
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with them. You must be registered with the NMC in order to practise as a nurse in the UK and with the HCPC to practise as a social worker in England.
Charlotte Nutting
BA (Honours) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
'I was working in marketing when I decided to do the Applied Nursing course, I had done quite a lot of work with people with learning disabilities on a voluntary basis. I felt that I was ready for a career change as the work I was doing didn't satisfy me. By chance I met a lecturer in nursing from Sheffield Hallam University one day, we got talking and she told me about the course which sounded like a good match to the work I was doing on a voluntary basis. As there was funding available I decided to apply and got a place. On reflection, I feel it was the right decision at the right time for me.
'I did five placements in total, two in the first year, two in the second year, and one in my final year. The placements were in the following areas • family placement • residential care home • fostering and adoption service • assessment and treatment unit • joint learning disability team. The placements were crucial and provided a hand's on learning experience working with people with learning difficulties, families, carers and a range of professionals in the field.
'I work as a learning disability practitioner in a joint post (health and social care) for a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities. I support adults and older people that have a range of needs including profound and multiple learning difficulties. I enjoy what I do because I feel I am making a small difference every day, I get total job satisfaction. I also feel that there is room in this profession for career progression.
'For me, one of the best things about the course was the relationship I formed with the course lecturers, in particular with my tutor. Academic staff always had time to give support and offer advice. The small class size also made learning enjoyable and the practical placements provided the opportunity to network with a wide range of health andsocial care professionals. I also had the opportunity to get involved with extra projects which included research and running workshops at conferences which lead me to get papers published.
'The ethos of the learning disability and generic social work course is to support people holistically, that is considering peoples 'physical health needs as well as their mental health needs and their social needs.'
Sarah Burns
BA Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work, 2010 graduate
'I chose to study at Sheffield Hallam as I felt that after meeting the course team at an open day, I would be well supported during my degree. Also the social opportunities offered by the University's various clubs and societies appealed to me, and Sheffield has a fantastic nightlife.
'I decided to study for the dual qualification as I felt the philosophy of health and social care affecting one another was very true in my past experience of learning disabilities. I thought that by enabling myself to be fully aware of the role of both health and social care services, I would when qualified be able to provide the most person-centred service for those I supported.
'The best part of the course is the variety of placements I've been able to experience throughout my learning experience. Getting to know the service users and finding out what really matters to them has been fantastic, especially when the simplest things seem to make the biggest difference to an individual's life. Placements are an important part of the course, each experience has enabled me to develop my skills as a practitioner and put all the theory into practice.
'The teaching at Sheffield Hallam is brilliant, the course team are always so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The health and wellbeing buildings are really well equipped with plenty of computer stations to work from, and the WI-FI access means that private study can be done anywhere.
'My advice to future students would be take advantage of everything that's on offer at university and throw yourself into it. There are so many opportunities to try new things.
'The best thing about Sheffield is definitely the nightlife, whether you want bars, clubs, pubs or a nice meal out, Sheffield's got it all.'
Lee Marshall
BA (Hons) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
'I chose the course because it really stood out from other Universities offering traditional nursing and social work training. The course enhances the traditional learning disability nursing qualification by giving the student practitioner a holistic view of health and social care from many aspects of practice, leading to a dual qualification as both registered practitioner in nursing and social work. It is a reality that people with learning disability are more likely to come in to contact with people from ‘services’ so helping to streamline this and make it more personable for example, one person for both assessments/interventions certainly seemed the right choice in course for me.
'I had a great time during the course, learning from professionals with a wide knowledge base who have enthusiasm and passion in what they teach. Because the course is so specialised and smaller than regular cohorts you have a good rapport with your course colleagues in University and out. Sheffield Hallam’s Collegiate Crescent Campus is a modern and purpose built, with sophisticated equipment, that is used to complement lectures and seminars. The campus is conveniently near a thriving area of pubs, restaurants and bars that are perfect for socialising and getting the full university experience.
'Placements were really valuable to my learning, I was lucky to have some great experiences, the placements were built around me as an individual and took in to account my past experience and aspirations of future practice. They were in,
• advocacy
• NHS nursing (residential services)
• homeless refuge
• community nursing services and integrated nursing and social work team
'These placements complemented my past learning and were very different to each of my colleagues on the course who had placements in prisons, supported living services and secure forensic services amongst others. Students are able to make pathway placements to help them meet personal learning targets along with academic targets, the course expects some amount of autonomy that you make your own learning pathways which supports what you will be doing once qualified.
'Before the course I didn’t consider myself an academic and thought University was something that other people did. However, from day one support was made available to help me to settle in to the academic side of the course. Students are allocated a personal tutor who is available throughout the three years and is certainly a valuable source of support for both academia advice, but also any concerns you need to discuss around placements and your learning. I was encouraged to apply and interview for jobs prior to completing the course and was able to secure two positions in the field of practice, I even turned a third offer down. I was extremely pleased when I received my first class honours, which has meant I was accepted on a part time medical science masters at a leading research based university.'
Profiles
Charlotte Nutting
BA (Honours) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
Sarah Burns
BA Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work, 2010 graduate
Lee Marshall
BA (Hons) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
Mock hospital ward
The mock hospital ward at our Collegiate Campus gives students a hands on experience as it would be in a real hospital.
Course benefits (1:28)
View a video explaining more about the benefits of this course and studying nursing with us.
Together in the real world of health and social care
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. So, depending on your course you could spend time working alongside
• nurses
• midwives
• operating department practitioners
This gives you a fresh perspective on situations. And it also prepares you for the real world. Collaboration between health professionals is increasing as organisations try to provide a more integrated and effective service. At Sheffield Hallam we understand that by working together we can we give the best possible care.
