Study Nursing in the UK
Nurses make up half of all healthcare professionals in many countries, playing a critical role in the organisation and application of health practices. It’s no surprise that 94% of nursing graduates in the UK secure a job within six months of completing their course.
If you want to study nursing, no place is better than the UK. Students can benefit from the old nursing heritage of UK universities, which are the pioneers of professional nursing. Here, nursing students benefit from the latest medical research and are provided with modern medical equipment.
Keep reading to learn how to study nursing in the UK, and more about becoming a nurse, course duration, entry requirements, nursing degree fees, funding, career prospects and more.
How to become a nurse in UK
If you have a passion for caring and want to follow a nursing career, an undergraduate degree in nursing is the easiest path to becoming a nurse in the UK.
Your degree must be recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). After graduation, you can become a registered nurse by registering with the NMC to start working in various settings.
Search for approved programmes to check if your course is accredited by the NMC.
Other ways to become a nurse
Other paths to becoming a nurse include signing up for an NMC-accredited nursing apprenticeship or completing a top-up degree through Accreditation of prior learning (APL).
Find more information by the NMC on how to become a nurse.
Nursing degrees in the UK
NMC-accredited nursing education and training programmes in the UK, are provided by approved educational institutions only, with half of the programmes spent practising.
Thanks to strong partnerships between the National Health System (NHS), the universities and the private health sector, students gain real experience during their nursing training. You will be working in contact with patients in hospitals and various clinical settings.
Before applying for a university course first, you must choose between an area of specialisation from the four main fields of Nursing:
- Adult nursing
- Children’s nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Mental health nursing
Some courses also allow you to study a ‘dual-field’ nursing degree including 2 of the specialisation fields.
Regardless of the field, a nursing degree provides a strong foundation of medical and scientific theories, while offering hands-on experience with real-world clinical equipment.
How many years does it take to study nursing in the UK?
The duration of your nursing degree depends on the type of course you choose:
- Full-time degree – typically takes 3 years
- Part-time degree – may take longer than 3 years (varies by university)
- Dual-field degree – 4 years
Nursing Degree Entry Requirements
Before applying for Nursing, you should check the entry requirements of your chosen University, as each institution uses different entry requirements.
The most common entry requirements for nursing courses include:
- High proficiency in the English language – usually an IELTS total score above 7.0, or equivalent.
- Grade entry requirements–equivalent to around AAB – ACC at A-level with at least one science subject (e.g. Biology).
- An interview – Many universities require an interview as part of the selection process.
- Health & Background Checks – Many institutions may request a DBS check and an occupational health assessment.
Uni application tips:
- Prepare all required documents early, including academic transcripts and proof of English proficiency.
- International students can use an online grade calculator or check university websites to compare qualifications.
How much is a nursing degree in the UK?
Nursing degree fees in the UK vary depending on the university, course level and your residency status:
- Home students – Approximately £9,250 a year.
- International students – can range from £11,400 up to £38,000 annually.
Funding and scholarships for nursing studies
There are several funding options available for nursing students in the UK.
Training Grant and NHS Funds
The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) offers different types of financial support to eligible students in Healthcare programs. Nursing students can get a minimum of £5000 per year of Training Grant, and up to £8,000 based on personal circumstances and the field of study.
Financial support provided by the LSF includes:
- Training Grant – £5000 per year for eligible nursing students.
- Parental Support – £2000 per year to support with child costs.
- Specialist Subject – £1000 for degrees in specialist subjects such as Mental Health and Learning Disability nursing.
- Exceptional Support Fund – up to £3000 for students facing financial hardship
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses – help towards travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placements
Note: LSF Training Grants are free grants, which means these must not be paid back.
To be eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund you must be a British student or have a valid resident status in the UK (e.g. pre-settled status, settled status, indefinite leave to remain) and attend a medical course.
Find more information about the NHS Learning Support Fund on the NHS website.
Student Finance support
If you’re eligible for NHS funding, you may also apply for student loans by Student Finance to cover the tuition fee. Student Finance can borrow up to £9,250 per year depending on the course fee. Additional student loans can be requested to help with living costs.
Student loans can be requested in addition to the Training Grant and NHS funds.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships are another type of financial support for nursing students in the UK. Scholarships are provided by the universities, and they usually cover part of the tuition fee and are available to international students.
Each university has different scholarships and bursaries, so visit each university’s website and look for scholarships and eligibility requirements.
Nursing Degree Career and Salary
With 94% of graduates getting a job within six months from the end of their course, a nursing degree can bring you a challenging and rewarding career within the NHS or other providers in the private healthcare sector. Nursing graduates can choose to work in a variety of settings, from hospital wards and operating theatres to patients’ homes and schools.
As a nurse, every day will be different. Based on your nursing specialisation you could be in charge of nursing newborns, helping people overcome mental barriers or saving lives in the A&E department.
Later in their career, nurses can specialise in areas such as practice nursing and theatre nursing. There is also the option to start postgraduate studies to become a senior nurse as an advanced clinical practitioner, or district nurse or move on to management, teaching or clinical research.
Nursing graduate salary
The average nurse earns approximately £33,000 to £35,000 a year (Source: NHS). For NHS nurses, salaries are structured in “bands” going from band 1 to band 9.
Graduate nurses start at band 5. From here they can move up to band 9 during the course of their career with experience, and by completing further training and qualifications.
- Band 5 (Graduate Nurse): Starts at £29,970
- Band 6 (Senior Nurse / Specialist): Starts at £37,338
- Band 9 (Highly Specialised / Nursing Consultant): Can exceed £100,000
You can find the updated salaries for each nursing band in the Nursing Salary and Pay Scale Guide by Nurses.co.uk.
Other benefits of working in the NHS include:
- NHS pension scheme
- Extra pay for unsociable hours (nights, weekends, holidays)
- Paid training and career development
Advancement of career is similar in the private health sector, where the average salary can be similar or higher compared to the NHS. Here, salaries are not determined by government-regulated bands.
Some nurses also work for agencies, enjoying higher hourly rates and more flexible hours.
Study Nursing in UK
If you want to apply for a nursing course or you failed to get an offer for your desired course, check our University Admission Advice (Free Service). Or you can book a consultation with an education consultant now.