UK Nursing Courses

Introduction to Nursing Degrees in the UK

Nursing courses in the UK provide the knowledge, values and skills you will need to pursue a career in a healthcare setting. If you thrive on the unexpected and want to make a difference in people’s lives, a career in nursing is for you.

Nursing degrees in the UK are respected worldwide, with an international reputation for practice-based research and courses that benefit from the input of researchers and academics who are experts in their field. As a nursing student, you will study across a broad base of transferable knowledge and skills areas, becoming skilled in critical analysis and problem-solving, supporting you in understanding how to manage, support and drive forward health care services and organisations.

Most nursing degrees last for four years, and students will cover a wide variety of the different aspects of nursing study during this time. Compulsory courses in life sciences will take place, while placements in various community and medical centres will enable students to gain firsthand experience of their profession. Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and group work will cover each aspect of Nursing during the study. Nursing degrees at UK universities also provide access to state-of-the-art medical facilities where you can practise in a live simulated environment.

Specialist nursing courses are also available for nurses who are qualified outside the UK and who wish to top-up their existing Diploma of Higher Education to a nursing degree in the UK. For students interested in postgraduate study, a masters degree in Nursing provides advanced knowledge and training in your preferred field of practice. Nursing masters degrees are becoming increasingly popular as students look to get ahead in crowded job markets.

Careers in Nursing

Nursing graduates can focus on four separate areas during the study – adult, child, learning disability and mental health – which will shape their future careers. No two days for a fully qualified nurse are ever the same, and choosing what to focus on at the beginning of your career does not mean you are held in that particular environment permanently.

• Average starting professional salary: £21,909
• Average starting non-professional salary: £16,380

Source: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Nursing UK Entry Requirements

Nursing is a very competitive area of study and it is important to not only show academic excellence when applying but also have the right personality to take on such a demanding role. Students must have good numeracy and literacy skills, be outstanding communicators and are able to work as part of a team in high-pressure situations.

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements: 30 points.
• Typical A-levels requirements: ABB.
• Typical IELTS requirements: 7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.

Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.

Where can I study Nursing in the UK?

To learn more about the best Nursing courses in the UK, find details on the top ten ranking Nursing universities in the Guardian University Guide 2023 below:

1. University of Edinburgh
2. University of Glasgow
3. University of Liverpool
4. University of Southampton
5. University of Northampton
6. Coventry University
7. Ulster University
8. University of York
9. Queen's University Belfast
10. University of West London

Study Nursing in the UK

If you are interested in studying a Nursing course in the UK, arrange your free consultation today. Don't forget the Premium Service will guarantee you at least one offer from a UK university.