Nursing (Child) with Foundation Year

Study a health foundation year and learn the key concepts and principles in health and social care to complete a full Honours degree. You'll be able to begin this qualification without meeting the level 3 entry requirements, gaining the essential skills required to succeed in degree-level education.

Although the Foundation Year itself is not accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), successful completion, alongside meeting key entry requirements such as DBS and Occupational Health clearance, allows you to progress onto an NMC-approved nursing degree.

You can then begin a career where you make a real difference to children, young people, and their families with a Child Nursing degree. Study Child Nursing with Foundation Year and develop the skills, confidence, and compassion needed to support children’s health and wellbeing from infancy through adolescence.

What you'll learn

• Deliver compassionate, child-centred care that supports children and their families.

• Understand physical, emotional, and developmental health needs of children and young people.

• Practise clinical skills safely through simulation, virtual reality, and placements.

• Apply evidence-based nursing approaches in contemporary healthcare settings.

• Work confidently as part of multidisciplinary teams in child health services.

You’ll combine academic study with hands-on practice, learning in state-of-the-art simulation suites and virtual reality environments. What's more, you'll have the opportunity to study alonside students from other nursing disciplines, helping you to develop all-important interdisciplinary skills. Supported by experienced academics and clinicians, you’ll build the knowledge needed to respond early to health issues and improve long-term outcomes.

On successful completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Professional accreditation

On completion of the course, you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Child Nurse. Our newly approved course meets the NMC 2023 standards.

Specialist facilities

As a healthcare student, you will have access to our specialist, industry-relevant, simulation facilities at Canterbury and Medway campuses. These simulation suites allow you to practise hands-on skills in a fully-equipped, realistic hospital environment.

Top 20 in the UK for quality of teaching & feedback and assessment in Child Nursing.
(The Guardian University Guide 2026)