Nursing Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Nursing Studies in The United Kingdom

Nursing in the United Kingdom is a regulated profession that is entered through a university degree. All nurses working in the UK must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and before registration they must complete a nursing programme approved by the NMC. For an international student this means the choice of course matters: only an approved pre-registration degree leads to the register.

The NMC register is large. According to the NMC's registration data report for the year to March 2026, the number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the register reached 867,935.

How the degree is organised

Students apply to one of four fields of nursing, and the degree title names the field:

• adult nursing
• children's nursing
• learning disability nursing
• mental health nursing

According to NHS Health Careers, approved full-time nursing degrees last three years, or four years for a dual-field degree that covers two fields, and accelerated courses for graduates take two years. Courses divide the time equally: half at university and half in supervised practice in healthcare settings such as hospitals and community services. The NMC states that half of the programme is based in clinical practice with direct contact with patients and families.

Examples from schools in this directory show the pattern:

• King's College London: Nursing with Registration as an Adult Nurse BSc, three years, after which graduates can register with the NMC as an adult nurse
• University of Surrey: Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Adult Nursing) BSc (Hons), 3 years full-time
• University of Southampton: BSc Nursing (Adult) and BSc Nursing (Mental Health), 3 years each, and four-year dual-field MNurs degrees such as Nursing (Adult and Child)
• University of Stirling, in Scotland: BSc Nursing - Adult in 36 months or BSc (Hons) in 48 months, both approved by the NMC

Not every institution listed under nursing offers a pre-registration degree; some teach post-registration or research programmes for qualified nurses. Check that the course appears among the NMC's approved programmes. A registered nurse degree apprenticeship also exists, but it requires employment with a healthcare employer, and most take four years.

Admission and language

Applications for full-time nursing courses are made through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. The equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses starting in 2027 is 13 January 2027. Each university sets its own entry criteria. NHS Health Careers says applicants are likely to need at least two (usually three) A levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths and a science. King's College London and the University of Surrey both list a typical requirement of BBC at A level for adult nursing, and equivalent qualifications from other countries can be used.

Applicants must also meet the NMC's requirements of good health and good character. Teaching and clinical placements are in English. For a Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2, and each university sets its own accepted tests and scores.

Costs and funding

Each university sets its own tuition fees. The University of Surrey lists £10,050 a year for UK students and £19,500 for overseas students on its adult nursing degree for 2027 entry.

The NHS Learning Support Fund offers a Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year to eligible nursing students, but it is limited: applicants must study at a university in England and be eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company. Most international students therefore cannot count on it. In Scotland, the University of Stirling states that eligible international students automatically receive a scholarship over the duration of the course.

Students who need a visa must show funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. The Student visa application costs £558 from outside the UK.

Recognition and careers

Completing an approved degree allows the graduate to apply for NMC registration in the field studied. According to NHS Health Careers, once qualified a nurse can work anywhere in the UK. Working in another country requires recognition by the nursing regulator there, so students who plan to return home should check the rules before enrolling.

The route is different for nurses who qualified abroad. The NMC uses a Test of Competence to assess the skills and knowledge of people applying to join the register from overseas, and all applicants must show the necessary knowledge of English. A nurse already qualified in Spain or Latin America would normally follow that route rather than repeat a UK degree.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a nursing degree take in the UK?

Approved full-time nursing degrees last three years, or four years for a dual-field degree. Accelerated courses for graduates take two years.

Do I have to choose a specialty before I start?

Yes. Applicants choose one of four fields: adult, children's, learning disability or mental health nursing. Some dual-field degrees cover two of them.

Can international students get the £5,000 NHS training grant?

Usually not. The grant requires study at a university in England and eligibility for support from the Student Loans Company, which most international students do not have.

Can I work as a nurse in the UK with a foreign nursing qualification?

Nurses trained outside the UK apply to the NMC, which uses a Test of Competence and English language requirements to assess applicants from overseas.