Top UK Universities For Nursing - Ranking & League Table

Looking to Study Nursing in the UK?
Top UK Universities for Nursing

Here’s our full guide on the top universities for Nursing in the UK. We have curated a list of high-ranking universities which offer affordable, globally-recognized qualifications for Nursing.

Table of Contents

UK University League Table for Nursing (Updated 2022)

The University League Table for Nursing below displays the top-ranking universities for studying Nursing in the UK. We’ve compiled a list of universities you should look out for, based on UK and global rankings, as well as entry requirements.

UniversityCourse NameFees (£)DurationSubject RankingUK RankingTEF Ranking
University of EdinburghNursing Studies BNurs (Hons)£28,9504 years112N/A
University of GlasgowNursing BN (Hons)£23,0004 years216Ν/Α
University of ManchesterAdult Nursing BNurs (Hons)£24,0003 years413Silver
University of SurreyNursing Studies (Registered Nurse Adult Nursing) BSc (Hons)TBC3 years535Gold
Cardiff UniversityNursing (Adult) BN (Hons)£ 21,6103 years625Silver
University of LeedsNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£24,5003 years820Gold
Keele UniversityNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£ 23,0003 years958Gold
University of LiverpoolNursing BN (Hons)£22,4003 years1430Silver
Queen's University BelfastProfessional Nursing (Adult) (September) BSc (Hons)£ 20,1003 years2034N/A
University of DundeeAdult Nursing BSc (Hons)£ 18,9503 years2128Gold
City, University of LondonAdult Nursing BSc (Hons)£26,0103 years2554Silver
Ulster UniversityNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£14,4803 years3544N/A

What do you Study in Nursing?

Nurses provide care for people who are ill and they are responsible for a number of tasks including administering medication, checking and treating wounds, monitoring vital signs, and so on. Some nurses may even specialise in a specific area of care, most commonly for children and mental health patients. Nursing programmes will include clinical placement in addition to classes such as public health, anatomy, biosciences, nursing skills, values and ethics, care planning, healthcare management, among other important subjects.

Careers for Nursing Graduates

What can you do with a degree in Nursing? Many graduates find employment taking on various roles in places such as:

  • Hospitals
  • GP/Private practice
  • Residential/Nursing homes
  • Hospices
  • Rehabilitation centres
  • Nursing agencies
  • Public health and outreach organisations
  • Research

Top Nursing Schools In The UK

The top university for nursing in the UK is the University of Glasgow. According to 2021 rankings, Glasgow is the number two university for Bachelor’s programmes in Nursing. Glasgow is also among the top UK universities for healthcare and medical programmes and offers one programme in Nursing. Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in the UK. The university is the 19th best in the country and among the top 100 universities in the world. 

Cardiff University is ranked in the sixth place for Nursing courses in the UK. Cardiff offers six nursing courses which start from £21,950 a year for international students. The university welcomes students from over 130 countries and it has links and partnerships with over 200 institutions worldwide. You could read more about Cardiff University’s Nursing course on their website here or read more about the application process via UCAS here.

Need advice about applying to a UK university? We are here to help. Book a free appointment with us now!

Recommended Nursing Schools In The UK

As the University of Leeds has brilliantly coined, “Go further, come to Leeds” – ranked as the 20th best university in the UK and among the largest universities in the country, Leeds has a great reputation for the quality of their programmes as well as an energetic student life on campus. The University of Leeds ranks 8th in the country for Nursing programmes which makes this a great place for those seeking a balance between quality education and a vibrant student life.

Queen’s University Belfast has eight programmes in Nursing and it is among the top 20 universities in the country for the subject. The university is a good choice for international students as it provides extensive support for attaining student visas, as well as a welcome service and orientation programme dedicated to overseas students. Queen’s University Belfast is among the top-rated universities in the UK for research intensity.

Ulster University offers two nursing programmes and it is among the most affordable courses on our list, with tuition fees starting from £14,480 a year for international students. A diverse university, Ulster welcomes students from over 100 countries each year. Ulster ranks among the top 10 universities in the UK for eight subjects, including Optometry and Counselling.

2021 Nursing League Table

Looking for the 2021 League Table of UK Universities offering Nursing? Find it here.

UniversityCourse nameFees (Per Annum)DurationSubject RankingUK RankingTEF rating
University of GlasgowNursing BN (Hons)£21,9204 years119Ν/Α
University of EdinburghNursing Studies BNurs (Hons)£27,5504 years215N/A
Cardiff UniversityNursing (Adult) BN (Hons)£21,9503 years330Silver
University of ManchesterAdult Nursing BNurs (Hons)£24,0003 years417Silver
University of SurreyNursing Studies (Registered Nurse Adult Nursing) BSc (Hons)TBC3 years534Gold
Ulster UniversityNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£14,0603 years860N/A
University of LiverpoolNursing BN (Hons)£21,3003 years1033Silver
University of LeedsNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£24,5003 years1316Gold
Queen's University BelfastProfessional Nursing (Adult) (September) BSc (Hons)£20,1003 years1727N/A
Keele UniversityNursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)£20,0003 years2256Gold
Dundee UniversityAdult Nursing BSc (Hons)£18,1503 years2431Gold
City, University of LondonAdult Nursing BSc (Hons)£26,0103 years2557Silver
University of Central LancashireNursing with Registered Nurse - Adult (September) BSc (Hons)£13,7003 years3170Silver

How To Apply To Study Nursing In The UK?

Step 1: Choose A University

The first step is to look for popular and high-ranking Universities in the UK that offer courses you are interested in. Refer to the table above to start your search. Here are some things to consider when applying:

  • Location
  • Employability/Graduate prospects
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements
  • University Ranking

Step 2: Preparations

Once you have narrowed down the search to your top five universities, the first step is to prepare necessary documents and forms. This includes school leaving certificates, exam results, the UCAS application form and a written Personal Statement, among other documents that may be required.

Step 3: Submit UCAS Application

The application process for UK universities differs from local universities as applications go through an organisation known as UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. UCAS handles all admission applications to UK universities, including those submitted by international candidates like you.

To ensure a better chance of getting accepted, it is important that you prepare all the necessary documents and fill out all forms correctly. We also recommend that you apply for multiple universities simultaneously to ensure that you get your preferred offers. Read our full guide on UCAS here

More about UCAS

The entire application process might be daunting and lengthy for some, so let us help you. Make a free appointment with us today for professional assistance in submitting applications to your prefered UK universities.

UK Nursing School Entry Requirements

Here are some of the common entry requirements and tests a student has to pass before being accepted at a UK university to study Nursing.

  1. English Language Test requirement – such as IELTS or TOEFL.
  2. Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities)
  3. Health checks.
  4. Entrance interviews.
  5. Personal statement. This is a supporting document and part of your application to a UK university. Usually, you will write about what you hope to achieve studying at the course, what you plan to do after graduating and why you are applying for this specific university. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nursing programmes will include clinical placement in addition to modules such as public health, anatomy, biosciences, nursing skills, values and ethics, care planning, and healthcare management.

The number one university for Nursing in the UK is the University of Glasgow, according to 2022 rankings.

The common entry requirements for studying Nursing in the UK include English language tests, criminal record declarations, health checks, entrance interviews and submission of a personal statement.

The tuition fees for Nursing degrees in the UK range between £14,000 to £28,000 per annum for international students, depending on the university. The ranking and location of a university might also affect tuition fee costs.

The UCAS deadline for Nursing programmes is 15 January on the year of admission.

Get Free UK Nursing Course Application Assistance

If you would like a free consultation on any step of the application process, contact us today or come visit us at our office in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Book an appointment with us now!

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