International Student Requirements for Studying Nursing in the UK

Nursing is a trusted and respected vocational degree that develops your interpersonal skills and expertise, which are qualities valued by many employers.

Are you considering pursuing or studying nursing in the UK but do not know what the requirements are? Well, you’ve made a good decision. The UK is a popular and prestigious study-abroad destination for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Nursing courses and programmes focus on adult health, child health, learning disabilities, and mental health in general. Students are expected to have in-depth theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in both private and public hospitals in order to secure a job.

Even though tuition fees for studying nursing in the UK are usually considerable, the salary prospect for nursing graduates is promising: The starting wage for new nurses can be around USD $30,000 per year, while the yearly compensation for nurse assistants/trainees can be around USD $23,000. In the United Kingdom, if you complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing, your beginning income will be similar to that of a trainee. With more years of experience, though, you can expect a wage increase of approximately 40%.

After completing your undergraduate studies, you can take your education to the next level and advance your career by earning a master's degree in the United Kingdom. If you are an overseas student, however, you must complete the Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) in order to work in the UK.

Most nursing degrees last for four years and students will study a wide variety of different aspects of Nursing during this time. Compulsory courses in life sciences will take place; while placements in various community and medical centres will enable students to gain firsthand experience in certain fields. Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and group work will cover each aspect of Nursing during the study.

Studying Nursing in the UK: After Graduation

The world of healthcare would fall apart without the critical contributions of hardworking nurses. Their purpose is to provide quality care to those in need by promoting health, preventing disease and helping patients cope with illness. As educators of future leaders in the field, we celebrate new graduates of nursing programmes by highlighting the top career paths in their field.

Nursing graduates can focus on four separate areas during the study – adult, child, learning disability and mental health – which will shape their future careers. That being said, career paths in nursing are almost always full of changes. There is a strong chance that a graduate’s chosen focus area will change as they become more experienced.

• Average starting professional salary:

  £21,909

• Average starting non-professional salary:

  £16,380

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Adult nurse

• Children's nurse

• Health play specialist

• Health visitor

• High-intensity therapist

• Learning disability nurse

• Mental health nurse

• Midwife

• Paramedic

• Physician associate

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Counsellor

• Further education teacher

• Genetic counsellor

• Health service manager

• Higher education lecturer

• Medicinal chemist

• Play therapist

• Police officer

• Social worker

Studying Nursing in the UK: Entry Requirements

Nursing is a highly competitive area of study. Not only should successful candidates demonstrate academic excellence when applying, but also should prove to the committee that their personality traits make for a strong fit for such a demanding role. Students must have good numeracy and literacy skills, be outstanding communicators and be able to work as part of a team in high-pressure situations.

• Typical International Baccalaureate requirements:

  30 points.

• Typical A-levels requirements:

  ABB.

• Typical IELTS requirements:

  7.0 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.

Please note that entry requirements vary for each UK university.

Top UK Universities Offering Nursing Degrees

To learn more about the best Nursing courses in the UK, follow the links and explore the top ten ranking Nursing and Midwifery universities in the Guardian University Guide 2022 below:

1. University of Edinburgh

2. University of Liverpool

3. University of Glasgow

4. Manchester Metropolitan University

5. Cardiff University

6. Kingston University London

7. University of York

8. University of Northampton

9. Swansea University

10. University of Sheffield

Nursing is not the kind of career path that you only choose for the money. You’ll need a lot of passion and determination to go through the curriculum and take in all the theories and concepts. If you feel fully prepared to enroll in a Nursing programme in the UK, contact us and let us help you!

At IDP, we have many years of experience and can provide a solid support for our students. If you have any questions about the application process or the required documents, you can make an appointment to consult with one of our counsellors. Let us help you overcome any difficulties you might have with your overseas study application.