Best Universities for Nursing UK

Best Universities for Nursing UK
Nursing is a popular and demanding profession that requires hard work and a strong will to help others. Choosing the right university to pursue a nursing degree is a crucial decision for every prospective student that can significantly impact your career prospects.
The United Kingdom is renowned for its excellent healthcare system, and it offers numerous top-tier universities that provide exceptional nursing programs.
The good news is that there is a huge demand for nursing professionals in the UK. Therefore, students can take advantage of this demand and pursue careers in nursing.
In this blog, we will explore some of the best universities for nursing in the UK for international students.
Benefits of Studying Nursing in the UK
Studying nursing in the UK can offer numerous benefits for aspiring healthcare professionals. Here are some key advantages:
- High-Quality Education: The UK is renowned for its world-class education system, and nursing programs adhere to rigorous standards. Students can expect top-notch training programs and access to advanced medical facilities, which ensures a comprehensive learning experience.
- Reputation and Recognition: A nursing degree from a UK institution carries international recognition and credibility. It enhances employability not only in the UK but also in other countries, making it easier to pursue a nursing career globally.
- Clinical Exposure: UK nursing programs provide ample opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in various healthcare settings. This exposure helps students develop their clinical skills and fosters a deeper understanding of real-world patient care.
- Specialisation Options: The UK offers a wide range of nursing specialisations, allowing students to focus on areas of interest such as paediatrics, mental health nurse, midwifery, adult nursing, and more. This enables nurses to pursue fulfilling careers in their preferred domains.
- Strong Support from Faculty: Nursing faculties in the UK are often supportive and highly experienced in the healthcare field. They guide and mentor students throughout their academic journey, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future roles.
- Multicultural Experience: The UK attracts students from all over the world, creating a diverse and multicultural learning environment. Interacting with peers from different backgrounds enriches the overall learning experience and helps students develop a global perspective.
- Opportunities for Career Advancement: The UK offers various pathways for career progression in nursing, including opportunities to pursue advanced degrees, conduct research, and take up leadership roles. This allows nurses to continually develop and grow in their profession.
- National Health Service (NHS) Employment Prospects: With the UK’s National Health Service being one of the largest healthcare systems globally, nursing graduates have excellent job prospects within the NHS. The demand for skilled nurses remains consistently high.
- Competitive Salaries and Benefits: Nursing is a respected profession in the UK, and nurses are compensated fairly for their vital contributions to healthcare. Additionally, they receive benefits like paid leave, pension schemes, and other employee perks.
- Contributing to Public Health: Studying nursing in the UK allows individuals to play a significant role in improving public health and making a positive impact on the lives of patients and their families.
Overall, studying nursing in the UK from prestigious universities not only equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful nurses but also offers a fulfilling and meaningful career dedicated to caring for others.
List of best nursing universities in the UK
University | City |
University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
King’s College of London | Edinburgh |
University of Manchester | Manchester |
University of Southampton | Southampton |
University of Nottingham | Nottingham |
University of Glasgow | Glasgow |
University of Leeds | Leeds |
University of Liverpool | Liverpool |
University of Edinburgh
Established in 1583, the University of Edinburgh’s School of Health in Social Science is an ideal university that offers a highly esteemed nursing program. Renowned for its cutting-edge research and commitment to excellence, the university consistently ranks among the top institutions globally.
The university offers several scholarship programs and more than 80% of its research work is ranked as the world’s best work by expert health professionals. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, and clinical placement opportunities in leading hospitals and healthcare settings. The University of Edinburgh’s nursing program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent and compassionate nurses.
Courses Available: BN Nursing Studies, MSc Advanced Nursing
King’s College London
King’s College London is widely recognized for its outstanding nursing programs. Its Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery Studies, and Palliative Care is one of the oldest and most prestigious nursing schools in the UK. The faculty’s commitment to research, innovation, and practical training ensures that students receive a comprehensive education. King’s College London collaborates closely with the National Health Service (NHS), offering students extensive clinical placement opportunities in renowned healthcare institutions. King’s College has five campuses and various research centres for medical research.
Courses Available: BSc Nursing, MSc Clinical Nursing, MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is another excellent choice and one of the best universities for nursing in the UK. It is the third-largest university in the UK and is the proud winner of 25 Nobel prizes. The university’s School of Health Sciences offers a range of nursing programs, including adult, child, and mental health nursing. The School of Health Sciences is known for its robust curriculum, which integrates dual fields such as theory, research, and practical skills. The university stands first in the UK for research in Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Professions.
Courses Available: B. Nursing in Child and Adult, MSc in Adult Nursing, MSc Advanced Leadership for Professional Practice (Nursing)
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is renowned for its innovative nursing programs and dedication to research-driven education. It is considered one of the best universities for nursing in the UK. The university’s School of Health Sciences offers a variety of nursing pathways, including adult nursing, child nursing, and mental health nursing. The University of Southampton’s nursing graduates are highly sought after for their competence and adaptability in diverse healthcare settings.
Courses Available: BN (Hons) Bachelor of Nursing
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham’s nursing programs consistently rank among the best in the UK. The School of Health Sciences provides a range of nursing degrees and practical courses, including adult, child, and mental health nursing. The university emphasises evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and compassionate patient care. The university’s strong collaborations with local hospitals and healthcare organisations ensure that students receive extensive clinical exposure and practical training.
Courses Available: BSc (Hons) Nursing, MSc Nursing
University Of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is a leading provider of nursing education in the UK. Having been rated top amongst the universities for its academic excellence in offering nursing degrees, students have ensured an excellent reputation after graduation.
With a focus on research and theoretical learning, the university provides its students with the necessary knowledge and practicality to excel within their chosen career path.
The nursing program available at the University of Glasgow includes a Master of Advanced Practice in Health Care; Continuation of Professional Development; and Bachelor of Nursing (Honors).
These three programs make up an extensive array of courses that cover every aspect related to health care.
Living up to its esteemed reputation, professors teaching these undergraduate programs and postgraduate programs are highly experienced professionals from different fields such as medicine and surgery, providing students with an unparalleled knowledge base gained by clinical experience along with theoretical understanding.
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the top universities for graduate prospects in the UK for nursing studies.
The Faculty of Health and Medicine provides high-quality nursing courses to ensure graduates have the skills, knowledge and experience required to provide excellent care in varying healthcare settings. These courses are designed to help them grow personally as well as professionally.
By delivering an expansive range of quality learning opportunities, students can select from a wide variety of degree programs in nursing, such as BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Children’s Nursing and BSc Learning Disability Nursing amongst others.
The curriculum at Leeds University has been fine-tuned with state-of-the art teaching techniques to provide the very best learning experiences which will benefit future nurses throughout their careers.
With comprehensive theoretical knowledge provided by leading academic studies supported by practical elements that give valuable hands-on experience in clinical settings, graduate nurses are always better placed for success.
And this makes Leeds’ faculty one of the most attractive places for those planning careers in nursing – both nationally and internationally – thanks to its outstanding reputation for quality education and ongoing support mechanisms available post program completion.
University of Liverpool
At the University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, students can pursue undergraduate degrees and postgraduate nursing courses to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for their future careers. Nursing students may benefit from the practical sessions held in real nursing environments throughout their education. Not only that, but the university also allows its students to take advantage of international study experience by having them work abroad if they choose to do so.
The result of pursuing a degree in nursing at the University of Liverpool is that graduates have immediate access to a vast selection of healthcare-related job opportunities.
It cuts out what would normally be an additional foundation year before you could take on a job as a nurse, giving you more chances to start climbing up your desired career sooner. That’s why taking a place at this university is such an attractive idea for those wishing to enter the world of healthcare.