Adult nurse: Entry requirements

To qualify as a nurse you need to take a recognised diploma, advanced diploma or degree in nursing. In 2011, the diploma programmes will be phased out and entry will be by degree course only, which is already the case in Wales.

A degree in the following subjects may allow you to take a shortened training course:

life and medical sciences;
social work;
education;
human biology;
physiology;
biomedical science;
psychology.

For graduates with a health-related degree, there are accelerated programmes that lead to an MSc or postgraduate diploma. A few part-time courses are available. The first step is to contact admissions staff of the university of your choice and establish the courses on offer and the competition for places.

Entry criteria are set by individual universities, as required by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to ensure that applicants provide evidence of meeting the minimum entry requirements, especially in literacy and numeracy. The minumum is usually five GCSEs (or equivalent) for the diploma and A-levels/Highers (or equivalent) for degree programmes.

Applicants are required to declare any criminal record and undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure. A criminal record may not be a bar to nurse training, but would be the subject of full and open discussion at interview.

You need to decide early on which branch of nursing you want to train in. On shortened graduate programmes, 18 months is usually spent on your branch specialism. Training covers the core nursing care skills and includes substantial assessed practical experience.

Pre-entry experience is not essential, but relevant paid or unpaid work experience as a care worker or in some other work with people is good preparation. It is also a good idea to visit hospitals and talk to nurses directly about the role.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

the ability to communicate with and gain the trust of people from a wide range of backgrounds;
organisational and managerial skills, particularly as your career progresses;
empathy, sensitivity, flexibility and emotional resilience;
teamwork skills.

Good health and physical fitness are prerequisites and some medical conditions may exclude you (but only after an individual occupational health assessment).

Applications for honours degree and diploma courses in England, Wales, Scotland or the University of Ulster are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) . In Wales, only degree courses are available. For diploma and certain degree courses in Scotland, contact NHS Education for Scotland (NES) . In Northern Ireland, Queens University requires direct application to the degree. The NMC and clearing houses can supply full details of courses and application procedures, including closing dates.

Nursing and midwifery courses are funded by the NHS (see NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) ). Students on a degree course receive an NHS means-tested bursary (non-means-tested in Wales and Scotland). Tuition fees are paid, but your grant allowance will depend on your income or that of your partner/parents. Students on NHS-funded diploma courses have their fees paid and receive a non-means-tested bursary, which currently (2009) stands at £6,531 (£7,629 in London). Students receiving these bursaries are not eligible for student loans. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for extra allowances. For further information on finance, contact course providers and the funding bodies.

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

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