There are many options to becoming a Learning Disability Nurse including through your local college, or any of the thirteen regional colleges across Scotland.

This can be done through a progression from National Qualifications delivered in schools and colleges  to Higher National Certificates delivered in colleges allowing the opportunity for progression into year one, and in some cases year two, of university degree programmes.

Below explains more about the routes and it is also useful to visit your local college to obtain the most up-to-date information.

National Qualifications

National Qualifications (NQs) cover a broad range of subjects to suit your skills and interests and include National Units, National Courses and Group Awards. An NQ will prepare you for entry in to the HNC Care and Administrative course.

Higher National Qualifications

The Higher National Certificate in Care and Administrative Practice will provide you with the clinical knowledge, understanding, and vocational skills to prepare you for undergraduate study in Learning Disability Nursing.

Successful completion of this award will allow you to exit into practice as a Health Care Support Worker or the opportunity to progress to year two of Learning Disability Nursing with either Edinburgh Napier University or Glasgow Caledonian University.

Higher National Qualifications are offered as one-year Higher National Certificate (HNC).

Full-time HNCs can take one year to complete and two years part-time (or in other situations such as flexible learning).

Full-time HNDs take two years full-time to complete and can also be taken part time over a longer period.

HNC Care and Administration Practice course content:

  • Essential Skills for Care Professionals
  • Hospital Patient Administration
  • Learning Through Practice
  • Personal Development Planning
  • Physiology for Care Professionals
  • Principles of Professional
  • Essential Skills for Care Professionals
  • Hospital Patient Administration
  • Learning Through Practice
  • Personal Development Planning
  • Physiology for Care Professionals
  • Principles of Professional Practice
  • Therapeutic Relationships: Understanding Behaviour
  • Safe Working Practice for Care
  • Sociology for Care: An Introduction
  • Graded Unit
  • Communication
  • Writing Skills

Placement Information

  • There is a significant placement as part of your course within the NHS and Care Sector. College programmes vary and it may be that you are  in college three days per week and have two days per week placement or a block period in college followed by placement.

Entry requirements for the Higher National Certificate in Care and Administrative Practice

Most colleges expect applicants to have:

  • Two Highers (including English), minimum of Intermediate 2 Biology/National 5 Biology or equivalent plus 5 Standard Grades at Credit Level including Maths or National 5 equivalent
  • National certificate qualifications at level 6 including Biology may be considered
  • There are specific routes for employees within NHS Boards who are currently in a post as a Health care Support Worker and may be offered the opportunity to progress through completing the HNC and degree in Nursing.

Progression routes

  • In completing this HNC you are obtaining a recognised qualification which will enable you to apply for a place at Edinburgh Napier University or Glasgow Caledonian University for Learning Disability Nursing with a placement in your home town.
  • You also could exit into employment as a learning disability Health Care Support Worker and apply for a degree place at a later date.

Useful websites