Children and Young People's Nursing (pre-registration)

Entry requirements

• An honours degree 2:2 or above in a health-related discipline.
• GCSE Grades 4/C or above in English and maths.
• Satisfactory health clearance, confirmation of vaccination status and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section.

All learners who meet the admission criteria are interviewed following a values-based recruitment process.

There is a requirement to demonstrate completion of 600 practice hours in relevant health/care settings through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to meet the NMC standard of nursing education of 2,300 practice hours. The RPL process will credit you for 600 hours to meet the stated NMC criteria. You will be supported in the RPL process.

Non-UK degrees may be accepted if healthcare related and accompanied by a certificate of comparability which you can obtain from www.enic.org.uk

Months of entry

January

Course content

Children and young people’s nurses deliver care to people under 25, their families and support networks. They work across a range of services including acute hospitals, community, primary care, schools, and specialised services. Alongside caring for the physical health needs of young people, the role encompasses caring for their mental, emotional and social needs, whilst ensuring they are appropriately safeguarded.

• Gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours to independently address diverse health and care needs across the lifespan. Course content prepares you to analyse, develop and deliver effective care to children from birth to young adulthood, focusing on physiological, mental health, and wellbeing needs, with an emphasis on evidence-informed practice, care and compassion.
• Learn the clinical and personal skills required to provide autonomous, compassionate, and family-centred care. Learn to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams as a children and young people's nurse to coordinate safe, evidence-based care.
• Through recognition of your previous care experience and completion of four practice placements organised by Coventry University during your course, you will achieve the 50% practical placement training needed for registration as a children and young people’s nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The clinical practice experience exposes you to caring for the needs of children, young people and their families across a range of health services.
• Study one module at a time, with five weeks of learning followed by one week of assessment per module.

Why you should study this course

• The course aims to develop high standards of person- and family-centred care, complex care coordination, decision-making, leadership, and mentoring. It prepares you to be an accountable professional, excel in multidisciplinary teams, and demonstrate leadership through relationship management and emotional intelligence.
• The course is ideal if you have a health-related, psychology, criminology or sociology degree with some experience in health and social care. It is also suitable if you are an existing nurse looking for dual qualification.
• Theoretical aspects of the course will be further developed through simulation and clinical placements which are relevant to the Children and Young People’s nursing field.
• This course should develop your digital fluency, curiosity, critical and reflective thinking.
• All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs.

Studying in the School of Health and Care

Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.

While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as a nurse from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) from the January 2026 intake.

Please use the official Coventry University website as your main source of information as our courses are subject to change throughout the year.