Nursing is a vital role within the healthcare system. You’ll be caring for people when they need it most, in an exciting, ever-changing and crucial job.
What's on this page?
As a nurse, you’ll be looking after people in hospital or other clinical settings, listening to patients, assessing their needs, and working with a multi-disciplinary team. No two days are the same. It’s a high-pressured environment with high job satisfaction.
During your career, you can choose to specialise in areas like children’s health, mental health or community health. You can become a leader, or work all the way up to consultant if you choose to.
Nursing is still a very popular university choice and a job area that will continue to be in demand. 94% of nursing graduates are employed within six months of graduating.
The impact you could make
- Make a difference to people’s lives through care, attention to detail and innovation.
- Become a leader, dedicated to medical advancement, effective treatment plans, and positive outcomes for patients.
- Research and specialise in areas like learning disabilities, neonatal care or trauma.
What you could study
- Introduction to clinical care
- Physiology for health
- Therapeutic approach and practice
- Epidemiology
- Complex care
- Critical care
- Public health
- Planning patient care
Subject Spotlights
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UCAS Media Service
Try a university course before you apply and get a taste of what it's like to study the subjects you're interested in.
Chat to a current nursing student
Chat to a current nursing student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Higher Technical Qualifications
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are an alternative to apprenticeships or degrees.
They have been specifically designed with employers to ensure learners get the skills that employers have said they need. They are a quicker and cheaper alternative to a degree and can lead to higher wages early in a career.
Example module
"My favourite module has been person-centred care and understanding the importance of holistically caring for a patient."
Second year adult nursing student, University of Lincoln
Work placement
"For work placement, I was placed on a haematology unit. I got to work with nurses that specialise in cancer and provide end-of-life care to patients."
Second year learning disability nursing and social work student, University of Salford
Biology (prerequisite subject)
Chemistry
Psychology
Sociology
Hard skills you'll develop
- Clinical practices and governance
- Primary care
- Surgery
- Auditing
- Risk analysis
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communications
- Leadership
- Teaching/mentorship
- Planning
- Teamwork
Average salary
£36,890
Up to £55,856
Available jobs
72,939 vacancies in the past year
5.83% growth over next 8 years
What is a…. travel nurse?
You may not have heard of a travel nurse, but if you're interested in a career in nursing and you don’t want to be stuck in one place then this role might appeal to you. Travel nurses are qualified nurses, usually with a few years’ experience, who then work on short-term contracts moving around the UK or abroad. Many choose to fill nursing vacancies at short notice in developing countries, and can make a big difference to people’s lives. It can also be a great way to further build up your CV and get a wide variety of experiences in a relatively short space of time.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study nursing at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from nursing applicants.
A levels
BBB
Scottish Highers
ABBBB
Vocational
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from Sept 2016) – DDM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Nursing is incredible and provides you with a diverse and rewarding career across health and social care. Nurses don’t just work in hospitals. There are opportunities to work in GP surgeries, clinics, education, research, health informatics, nursing and residential homes as well as occupational health services, voluntary organisations, industry, and the military. Every day will be different, and you will continue to learn and develop throughout your career."
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Find out more
Listen to our podcast about nursing apprenticeships.
Not sure if a traditional degree is for you? Listen to our new podcast to learn more about studying degree apprenticeships in nursing.
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The King’s Fund
Independent charitable organisation that features videos and written content explaining how the NHS works and what is changing. A great way of keeping informed about one of the world’s (and nurses’) largest employers. -
Nurses on the ward
A UK TV play documentary following nurses on a real-life hospital ward in Plymouth, showing the challenges, dramas, and rewards of this career.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- How can you show you’re caring and compassionate? Have you looked after a relative or neighbour, or become an advocate for someone locally? Maybe you’ve done some voluntary work or work experience that involved looking out for others, or been a mentor to someone younger?
- What work experience or shadowing have you done at a hospital, GP practice or care home, and what did you learn about the challenges and realities of a caring profession?
- How can you demonstrate that you work well under pressure, and have good time management? Maybe you’ve excelled in exams or other tests? Have you had a busy or demanding part-time job?
- When have you been a good leader? Did you lead a group during a school residential, Scouts or a Duke of Edinburgh expedition? How did you motivate others and how did you cope if things went wrong?
Which fields to study
Adult nurse
Adult nurses are expert members of a medical team. They plan and deliver vital treatment for a wide range of patients with different needs and conditions.
Children's nurse
Children’s nurses work as part of a supportive and inspiring team to provide young patients and their families with the vital care and compassion they need.
Mental health nurse
Mental health nurses build trusting relationships with their patients and provide vital support to people experiencing mental health problems, so they can lead happy and healthy lives.
Learning disability nurse
Learning disability nurses support people with learning disabilities, developing important relationships with their patients and helping them to lead fulfilling lives.