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Studying nursing degree guide

If you’re interested in the medical profession and are a loving and caring person, you should strongly consider a degree in nursing. Nurses play a key role in patient experience and often act as the first contact for patients and visitors. Here's what you need to know about this subject.

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
13 Dec 2023

While doctors make diagnostic decisions and perform surgical procedures, it’s often the nurses who take responsibility for administering medical treatment. Being a nurse, therefore, is an extremely rewarding career – you’re literally helping sick people get well.

Despite this, you have to deal with stressful situations and long working hours. If you think you've got what it takes, here’s our nursing guide with all the info you need.

Find nursing courses.

What do you need to get on a nursing degree?


Average entry requirements for nursing are:

  • UCAS points: 136 – 104
  • A-levels: AAB – BCC
  • Scottish Highers: AABBB – BBBC (Advanced Highers: BBB–CCC)
  • BTEC Nationals: DDD – DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 32 – 27

Most nursing courses ask for A-levels (or equivalent) in one or two sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or psychology.

What nursing degrees can you study?


Degrees in nursing include:

  • BSc Nursing (Adult)
  • BSc Nursing (Children)
  • BSc Nursing Studies (Learning Disabilities)
  • BSc Nursing (Mental Health)

Undergraduate nursing degrees are available in four main areas: adult, children, learning disabilities and mental health. Some universities offer dual degrees, which combine two strands of nursing.

Several courses include an integrated foundation year or a master’s qualification. There are also options to start in January rather than September/October.

“The most enjoyable aspect by far was going on placement. Putting all the skills you learn in the classroom into action with real people is a true joy.” Nick, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies, King’s College London

What topics does a nursing degree cover?


Common modules for nursing include:

  • Fundamentals of nursing practice
  • Anatomy, physiology and pharmacology
  • Medicines management
  • Acute care
  • Supporting people with complex needs
  • Leadership and supervision

What do you learn studying a nursing degree?


Studying a nursing degree will help you gain industry-specific skills like:

  • Clinical understanding and expertise
  • Competency in providing quality patient care in a range of settings
  • Ability to assess, plan and evaluate medical issues and treatment

More general, transferable skills you’ll pick up include:

  • Interpersonal and communication
  • Multidisciplinary teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Cultural sensitivity

“Obviously a nursing degree is ideal if you want to become a nurse, but it also gives you plenty of skills, such as care and communication, which can take you into other caring or medical professions.” Nick, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies, King’s College London

What professional accreditations can you get with a nursing degree?


All nursing degrees should be approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), as this means you can register as a nurse after completing the course.

What can you do with a nursing degree?


Most nursing graduates go into professional nursing roles either in the NHS or private healthcare. Other opportunities include teaching or research.

Common roles include:

Where to study nursing?

How long is a nursing degree?


A nursing course usually lasts three to four years if you study it full time, or five to six years if you study part-time. Placement years are not common as most degrees will include many practical placements as part of the course.

How will you be assessed?


Nursing courses usually involve assessment through:

  • Written assignments and coursework
  • Written exams
  • Case studies
  • Practical clinical assessments
  • Presentations
  • Portfolios

What are the postgraduate opportunities?


Your options for further study include the following degree courses, where you can specialise in a certain area:

  • PGCert/PGDip/MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care)
  • MSc Advanced Nursing
  • PhD Palliative Care

If you have an undergraduate degree in a related subject, you can take a graduate-entry pre-registration nursing course.

What alternatives are there to a nursing degree?


Not sure if a nursing degree is right for you? Check out these related subjects: