10 Top Nursing Schools in London-Tuition & Key Info

Studying in any of the nursing schools in London can lead to a rewarding career with the NHS and other healthcare providers.

The UK, especially London is known globally for opening a field of job opportunities that can shape your career.

This flexibility is appealing to most as it gives people the freedom to travel and work abroad with their earned degrees.

Furthermore, most nursing degrees last for either three or four years in the United Kingdom and students will cover a wide variety of different aspects of the profession during this time.

There will be compulsory courses in life sciences. Also, there will be placements in various community and medical centers which are aimed at enabling students to gain firsthand experience of the profession.

In this article, we will be looking at some top universities with the best nursing schools in London. This list was compiled from popular recommendations.

Nursing in the United Kingdom

Nursing is a profession that involves providing healthcare services to society. In nursing, you get to promote one’s quality of life.

Nurses also play a major role in the treatment of a patient.

Besides taking care of the health of their patients, nurses also assist health experts such as surgeons.

As you may know, there are so many career opportunities that nursing offers. Therefore, completing your training as a nurse means you get to serve the community and also have access to a decent salary package.

The Advantages of Working as a Nurse in The UK

Being a nurse gives you the opportunity to choose from diverse job options in the healthcare sector.

One of the major advantages of being a nurse is the job security that it offers.

Other benefits nurses enjoy include:

  • Flexible Working Hours

  • Fringe Advantages

  • High Incentives & Overtime salaries

  • Opportunity to serve the people

  • Healthcare facilities like life & health insurance, etc. 

  • Government Aids

In the United kingdom, while pursuing your educational degree, you can select a specialization field that interests you.

Upon completing your education at any of the nursing schools in London or elsewhere in the UK, you can apply for the job of a nurse in the UK as a:

  • Staff Nurse

  • Assistant Nursing Superintendent

  • Department Supervisor

  • Deputy Nursing Superintendent

  • Nursing Supervisor or Ward Sister

  • Director of Nursing

  • Nursing Superintendent

  • Senior care and Midwifery services

  • Teacher of Nursing

  • Community Health Nurse (CHN)

  • Military Nurse

  • Industrial Nurse

  • Nursing Service Administrators

  • Nursing Service overseas

Registered nurses in the United Kingdom earn a package of somewhere between 29K £ – 48K £ per year. 

Experience, however, is a major determining factor in the salaries of nurses. Above all, there are more than 30,000 nurses in the UK currently.

There are 2 main ways to become a nurse in the UK:

  • Through a university course

  • Through an apprenticeship

Through a university course

Most people become nurses by getting a nursing degree. Once you have decided that you want to become a nurse, you need to decide what area of nursing you want to work in.

There are four fields of nursing that are approved by the Nursing & Midwifery council. They are:

  • Adult nursing
  • Children’s nursing
  • Learning disability nursing
  • Mental health nursing

Also, there are degrees known as dual degrees which allow students to study two fields at the same time.

Furthermore, if you have already attended university and want to change over to nursing, you can join the second year of a nursing degree if you already have a degree in:

  • A health-related subject
  • Psychology
  • Life sciences
  • Social work

It takes about three years to complete a nursing degree. Entry requirements for obtaining a nursing degree vary depending on the University.

Most universities ask for four or five GCSEs in grades 9 to 4, including English, Maths, and science.

You will also need two or three A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma.


Through an apprenticeship

In the United Kingdom, you can also become a nurse by completing a registered nurse degree apprenticeship(RNDA).

Apprenticeships are unique, they allow students to apply practical training in a job with study.

Those who are completing an RNDA will work at a hospital or any medical facility but also have a part-time schedule so they can attend university.

This is a more flexible route toward becoming a nurse, as it doesn’t require full-time attendance at university.

Most registered nurse degree apprenticeships take four years to complete. However, if you have accreditation of prior learning and experience (APEL) in a relevant study, it may reduce the length of the apprenticeship to only two years.

To apply for an RNDA you will need four or five GCSEs in grades 9 to 4 along with A levels, or equivalent.

Necessary Certification

In the United Kingdom, once you have completed the education and training that is necessary to become a nurse, you will need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

This organization is the professional regulator for nurses in the United Kingdom and its job is to set standards of practice and behavior for nurses. For you to receive certification from this council, you will take a competency test and an English test.

Many hospitals and medical establishments also require nurses to pass an enhanced background check.

This is a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and employers need this for all employees that deal with children or in healthcare.

A DBS check will show unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warning by authorities.

Nursing in London

London is England’s capital and the largest city in the United Kingdom.

Nurses work in the medical field and they also have many opportunities for career progression and specialization.

As a newly qualified nurse, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing direct patient care. You can choose to work in a variety of settings, everything from hospital wards and operating theatres to schools and patients’ homes.

No two days are the same when you’re a nurse. Depending on what type of nursing you choose to specialize in, you could spend your time helping people overcome mental barriers, nursing newborns, supporting people with learning disabilities, or saving lives in A&E.

As your career progresses, you could specialize in areas such as theatre nursing or practice nursing, or you could undertake further postgraduate studies to become a more senior nurse, such as a district nurse, health visitor, or advanced clinical practitioner. You could also move into management, clinical research, or teaching.

Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed to make a real difference in people’s lives, every single day.

The most common route into nursing is by completing a nursing degree though there are other routes available, including nursing apprenticeship degrees and nursing associate roles.

Each university sets its own entry requirements for entry onto a nursing degree, but in general, you’ll need to get at least five 9-4 (A-C) grade GCSEs (including English, maths, and a science subject) and at least two (preferably three) A levels. Lots of nursing schools in London require A-level biology.

Alternative level 3 qualifications are sometimes accepted by universities (such as approved Access to Nursing courses, BTEC National Diplomas or International Baccalaureates), but you’ll need to check with your chosen university before making an application.

Find out more

As a newly qualified nurse, you’ll start in pay band 5, meaning you’ll earn over £25,000 a year. Your pay will then increase annually until you reach the top of your pay band. There’s additional pay for staff who work in high-cost areas such as London.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for career progression, and with that comes the chance to move up a pay band and earn more.

You’ll also enjoy one of the best benefits packages in the UK which include a generous pension scheme, exclusive health service discounts as well as support with things like childcare costs if you need it.

Top Nursing Schools in London-The Top Universities

  • King’s College London

  • City University of London

  • University of West London

  • University of Manchester

  • London South Bank University

  • University of Greenwich

  • University of Southampton

  • University of Nottingham

  • University of Edinburgh

  • Kingston University London

King’s College London

King’s College London is #1 in the UK and #2 in the World for Nursing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).

King’s continues to be home to the world’s second-highest ranked nursing faculty, according to the 2021 installment of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

Their pre-registration nursing and midwifery courses are designed to prepare students for their careers.

They build confidence using patient simulators and hire experts in the field to teach and provide placements in world-class hospitals.

This is one of the nursing schools in London that through their deep relationships with NHS Trusts across London and the Southeast, their pre-registration students have the chance to immerse themselves in practice and work alongside professionals with wide-ranging clinical expertise.

The Faculty has:

  • 1,978 undergraduate students

  • 792 postgraduate taught students

  • 92 postgraduate research students

Full-time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full-time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £31,840 per year.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programs are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee.

This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with them and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.


City, University of London

As one of London’s most respected nurse education providers, they can prepare you for a rewarding career caring for adults in a range of settings.

They have one of the top nursing schools in London that has been providing nurse education for 140 years and will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill the role of a nurse in caring for adult patients in various hospital and community settings.

City’s method of teaching through Simulated Practice means students have the skills and confidence for their placements and work as other members of the professional team.

They aim to take the stress out of finding somewhere to live when you become a student at City.

Their halls are affordable and conveniently located, with places guaranteed for those meeting the criteria.

  • Rooms from: £160 per week

Most halls are within walking distance of the University.

Eligible postgraduates can also access government loans. Up to £11,222 is available for master’s degrees. PhD students can apply for doctoral loans of up to £26,445 over three years.

For UK undergraduates, tuition fees will be £9,250 for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years.

Overseas fees for the year 2022/23: £26,530

Check out the different Nursing programs.


University of West London

Estimated Tuition Fee: 13,000 EURO per Year

The University of West London is a major provider of nursing, midwifery, healthcare, and social work courses in Berkshire and West London.

You can choose from an impressive range of highly respected pre-registration and post-registration courses, on which you will benefit from the support of their experienced, passionate staff and excellent facilities, including two fully-equipped simulation centers.

They have one of the top nursing schools in London that offer a range of nursing degree courses based at their West London and Reading campuses.

As a student nurse, you can specialize in one of their four nursing pathways:

  • adult nursing
  • children’s nursing
  • mental health nursing
  • learning disabilities nursing.

With a degree in nursing, you will be able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and become a professional fully qualified nurse. 

Please note that their BNursing (Hons) courses are equivalent to a BSc (Hons) in Nursing.

Generally, they ask for 112 UCAS points from at least two subjects as well as Level 2 in English and Maths. 

You can also choose a dual-registration option with a four-year integrated master’s course.

They offer post-registration programs and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses in a range of nursing, midwifery, and healthcare subjects.


University of Manchester

A degree from Manchester is just the start of your rewarding career in nursing or midwifery.

They challenge you to be the best you can be and prepare you for your future as a leader in healthcare.

Many of their nursing and midwifery graduates stay in Greater Manchester, launching their careers in practice in the region they loved during their studies.

You’ll split your time equally between learning theory on campus and applying your knowledge to practice alongside other health professionals on your placements, so you get a strong academic grounding, designed to make you the best nurse or midwife you can be.

Their degrees meet the requirements for you to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) on graduation.

At Manchester, you will have access to peer assisted study sessions with a student from the year above to support your learning outside lectures.

This is one of the nursing schools in London where you will have access to a personal peer mentor in your first year (nursing students only) who is a student from a higher year who will help you navigate life on your course.

There is also a practice placement mentor who will support your learning and help you stay on the right track. Find out more.

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2022 will be £9,250 per annum.

Tuition fees for international students will be £25,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.


London South Bank University

When you graduate as a nurse from London South Bank University, you will be able to register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. (NMC).

They work with over 60 Thrusts, connecting their placement at major hospitals around London and the South East.

Their Nursing courses take place in three different-campuses Southwark, Havering, and Croydon.

Their realistic wards and lifelike mannequins provide students, NHS Trusts, and businesses with a safe environment to practice.

Their student residences provide an affordable, convenient home in the center of London.

LSBU has four halls of residence right in the heart of central London, giving students a perfectly-located yet safe and comfortable base. All of their halls are within a 10-minute walk of our Southwark campus.

The maximum loan to cover living costs in 2022/23 for LSBU’s full academic 31-week year is:

  • £12,667 – for students studying in London and living away from their family home
  • £8,171 – for students living at their family home
  • £4,106 – if you’re 60 or over on the first day of the first academic year of your course

From affordable government loans to scholarships – this is one of the nursing schools in London that can help you sort your finances.

The tuition fee for Home undergraduates starting on full-time courses is £9,250.

For international students:

  • Undergraduate: from £15,400
  • Undergraduate Accelerated: from £18,480
  • Internship Year: £1,100
  • MSc, MA, PgDip: from £15,400
  • MBA: £15,400
  • MPhil, PhD: from £15,400

International students are expected to have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and pay their tuition fees in line with the Home Office Tier 4 policy requirements. 


University of Greenwich

University of Greenwich’s nursing degrees offers pre-registration training in adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities nursing, and mental health nursing.

They have also recently introduced nursing degree apprenticeships. All courses are taught at Avery Hill Campus.

Their adult nursing degree apprenticeship offers a balanced combination of practice-based and academic learning to enhance your nursing skills and knowledge.

Through their Children’s Nursing degree apprenticeship, you can develop the skills to care for children in settings including intensive care and children’s hospital ward.

For some of their nursing degrees, Nursing students may benefit from the additional support of at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs.

University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences.

  • Home fees 2022/23: Starts from £9,250


University of Southampton

Whether your interest is child, adult, or mental health nursing, or you’re looking to pursue dual-field programs, at Southampton you’ll be part of a prestigious nursing community-ranked 5th in the world and 2nd in the UK*.

This university has one of the nursing schools in London that has dual field courses that offer a Master’s degree qualification which gives you an important early career boost and prepares you for the exciting world of clinical academic practice.

They also offer graduate-entry nursing courses. These are available to graduates who already hold a first degree and are looking to gain registration with a professional healthcare body in nursing.

If you’re from the UK, you’ll usually pay £9,250 for each year of study. You might pay less than this for some courses. See the Nursing program details.


University of Nottingham

At the University of Nottingham, all their BSc and graduate entry nursing courses lead to registration as a nurse.

BSc Nursing at a glance at the University of Nottingham:

  • First-year standard term (no teaching or placements during the summer holiday)
  • Opportunities for an elective placement
  • Some placement choices and a placement exchange scheme
  • Study extra qualifications, e.g. the Dementia Certificate

Their three-year nursing degree has a sharp focus on practical nursing skills and prepares you to be a future healthcare leader.

You can choose from:

Their two-year postgraduate course is for those who have a degree and previous healthcare experience.

  • Graduate Entry Nursing – Adult
  • Graduate Entry Nursing – Child
  • Graduate Entry Nursing – Learning Disability
  • Graduate Entry Nursing – Mental Health

The tuition fees for the first year of your course will be £9,250. 

Fees may increase in later years as UK Government policy changes, but they’ll always let you know by the end of June in the academic year before they do. 

See program details.


University of Edinburgh

As one of the first universities to offer a nursing degree in the UK (since 1956), the University of Edinburgh has a long tradition of preparing graduate nurses.

They offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, as well as continuing professional development courses.

The undergraduate program is a four-year program that leads to a Bachelor of Nursing degree and registration as a nurse (adult branch).

This is one of the nursing schools in London with several postgraduate degree programs from taught MSc/Diplomas to Ph.D.

Their vision is to meet the needs of the local and global nursing workforce across high and low and middle-income countries, to enable them to lead high-quality healthcare solutions to the health challenges that arise in their local contexts.

Check out the program details.

Tuition Fee 2022/2023:

Scotland: £1,820

Rest of UK:

International/EU: £30,400


Kingston University London

Kingston University London offers the following nursing programs:

  • Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)

  • Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons)

  • Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons)

  • Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons)

  • Midwifery with Registered Midwife BMid (Hons)

  • Midwifery with Registered Midwife BMid (Hons) for Registered Nurses (Adult)

  • Nursing Associate FdSc

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home’ (UK), ‘Islands’ or ‘Overseas’ student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

  • Home (UK students): £9,250

  • International:

    Year 1 (2023/24): £16,200
    Year 2 (2024/25): £16,500
    Year 3 (2025/26): £16,800

How to Choose the Right Nursing Schools in London

There are three simple steps to take towards choosing the best from the nursing schools in London, they are:

  • Make a note of your main priorities
  • Ask for a 2nd Opinion/Feedback
  • Attend Open Days

Make a note of your main priorities: If you desire to gain a practical experience in the field, choosing a university that offers a placement program should help in reducing the number of options that you have.

Also, if you have interested in the universities with reputable nursing schools in London, then you have to consider league tables.


Ask a 2nd Opinion/Feedback:
You should consider student experience and satisfaction level for any school you are about to choose.

Feedback from students will allow you to get insight into their experience from the facilities offered to the teaching.


Attend Open Days
: Finally in making your choice on the nursing schools in London, open days are very important. This is because you will be able to meet your potential lecturers, get a feel of the facilities, as well as the overall atmosphere of the university.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking to make a positive difference in people’s lives, this course is for you. You’ll gain the specialist knowledge and clinical skills needed to become a registered adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

In the nursing schools in London, the courses offered are highly practical, giving you hands-on experience. You’ll spend 50 percent of your time on placement in hospitals, in the community, and in skills and simulation labs developing valuable hands-on skills.

You’ll work with patients, carers, clinical mentors, and other healthcare professionals. Placement opportunities include medical and surgical wards, oncology, ICU, A&E, coronary care, operating theatres, district nursing, GP practice nursing, and integrated community teams.

You’ll learn in an award-winning simulation suite and experience a wide range of realistic environments, including hospital wards and community settings if you choose to study in any of the nursing schools in London.

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