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.
You will receive at least a £5,000 bursary to study nursing and it’s a career that there will always be high 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
Study options and Subject Spotlights
Options to study in this field include:
Subject Spotlights powered by 
Subject Spotlights are an interactive, cinematic course taster experience, which enables institutions to harness the power of their academics to attract, engage and inform prospective students about their course-offerings.
Studying adult nursing at University of Plymouth
Want a career where you can make a difference? Start your nursing journey at Plymouth.
Studying nursing at University of South Wales
Nursing courses at USW will give you the specialist skills, education and training to prepare you for the workplace.
Get in on the action as you learn in our Clinical Simulation Centre which replicates clinical environments for education and training, including a fully equipped ambulance simulator. We also host Blue Light Exercises so student nurses can work together with other emergency service personnel. During clinical placements, students are fully supported by a qualified nurse, who acts as a mentor.
Example module
Work placement
Subjects it's useful to have studied first
Some nursing courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Each university sets its own entry requirements, but in general you’ll need at least five 9-4 (A-C) grade GCSEs (including English, maths and a science subject) and at least two (most prefer three) A levels. Most universities require A level biology.
Some universities also accept level 3 qualifications, but you will need to check this with your chosen university before making an application.
Biology (prerequisite subject)
Psychology
Sociology
The NHS Learning Support Fund
Every eligible* student nurse will receive at least £5,000 grant per year, and up to £8,000 for specialist subjects (e.g. for students studying mental health, or learning disability nursing courses), and for parental support.
*Eligibility criteria is payable to students ordinarily resident in the UK and studying at a university in England.
Hard skills you'll develop
- Clinical practices and governance
- Primary care
- Surgery
- Auditing
- Risk analysis
- tick
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communications
- Leadership
- Teaching/mentorship
- Planning
- Teamwork
Higher Technical Qualifications
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.
Careers: Where it can take you
Find out more about your career prospects from studying nursing. The following information is based on a typical nurse role.
Average salary
Available jobs
Career options
Healthcare – public and private
Social work/psychotherapy
Leadership
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.
Find your ideal career
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.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
Scottish Highers
Vocational
Health and science apprenticeships
Check out our industry guide to help you decide if a health and science apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.
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."
Considering an apprenticeship?
Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:-
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Deadline
Apprenticeships don't follow the same deadlines as applying to uni, the deadline is down to the employer. -
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Where to apply
You apply directly through the employer. -
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No limits
You're not restricted to one apprenticeship application; you can do as many as you like. -
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Apply to university and apprenticeships
There's nothing stopping you applying to university through UCAS, while also applying for apprenticeship vacancies. -
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Find out more
Listen to our podcast about nursing apprenticeships.
Let's talk 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.
Apprenticeship vacancies
Check out live apprenticeship vacancies in health and science.Explore further
Go deeper into topics around nursing with the following.
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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. -
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Nurse Zara
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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.
Life as a nurse
Case study video
Learning new skills and being able to put them into practice, and being able to adapt to surroundings, building rapport relationships with MDT patients and families. I also enjoy being able to learn new techniques and leadership skills.
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your nursing journey.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?
