Nursing (Child) with Foundation Year

Start your career as a children's nurse with a Child Nursing degree from Canterbury Christ Church University. On this course, you'll care for children and their families, placing their wellbeing at the centre of everything you do. You'll develop a strong understanding of a wide range of health issues that children and young people may face and how to deal with them effectively, to intervene quickly and early enough, to reduce the chances of future health problems.

The Foundation Year prepares you for further studies in health and social care. It provides a supportive environment where you can grow in confidence and develop the knowledge and academic skills that you need to study at undergraduate level.

As you study child nursing, you'll explore the role of the nurse in contemporary healthcare and the fundamentals of compassionate person-centred nursing practice. Throughout the first year you'll study alongside nursing students from the other fields of nursing, taking part in simulated practice learning and undertaking clinical practice placements. Years two and three will focus on your chosen field and will ensure you become a professional and competent newly qualified nurse.

From day one, you'll be immersed in nursing practice and supported by academics and professionals with vast experience. You'll learn in state-of-the-art simulation facilities, using the latest virtual reality technology to practise child nursing in a safe and supportive environment.

We're passionate about contemporary, evidence-based nursing education and have developed this course with service providers and service users to ensure you gain the skills and knowledge relevant to modern nursing practice. On successful completion of all components, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.

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)