The nursing profession is one of the lucrative professional courses that is always been sought after in the UK not minding the competitive nature. Nurses are highly needed in the UK. Are looking for how to study nursing in the UK as a Nigerian Student? Studying nursing in the UK demands the applicant should have sound communication skills, academic excellence, be a team player, and have the right attitude and personality to enable them to succeed.
Nursing is one of the most employable types of degree you can think of in the UK. There are over 90% of nursing students secure suitable employment offers within the space of six (6) months after completing their studies. Any student that obtains a degree in nursing from the Uk will be globally accepted.
How to study nursing in the UK as a Nigerian student has shown that it will take between three(3) and four (4) years. The study process involves tutorials, group work, wide scope of nursing study, rotations through clinical units and lectures.
Nursing degree in the UK is divided into groups as follows:
- Adult Nursing
- Child Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Learning Disability Nursing
- Midwifery
Studying adult nursing has many categories and it gives room for the student to grow and have an area of specialization when compared to other categories in the field of nursing.
Master’s and PhD nursing are also part of the specialized nursing courses you can study in the UK as Nigerian and other students from other countries. Other international students that have a Diploma in nursing may further their studies and acquire a degree in nursing. Other international students who already have Bsc in nursing have the opportunity to further their studies to acquire a Master’s degree and PhD. This will help them to acquire more knowledge and skills in the nursing field.
Read Also: How To Work As A Foreign-Trained Nurse In Kuwait
What Do I Require To Study Nursing In The Uk As A Nigerian Student
There are basic requirements you must meet to study nursing in the Uk as a Nigerian student. Below is the list of things that are required to study nursing free in the UK for Nigerian students and other students from other neighbouring West African Countries that may be interested.
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination/ West African Examination Council (WAEC)
Any student aspiring to study nursing in the Uk as a Nigerian student and get a degree must have credits in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. This is also equivalent to the requirements needed to study nursing in Nigeria.
All the higher institutions and schools in the Uk accept WEAC results and some other universities in the UK also accept National Examination Council (NECO) results. Students that intend to use NECO should contact the university in the United Kingdom they prefer to find out if they accept NECO results.
A-Level
Universities in the Uk require A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications to study nursing degrees. But most Nigerian students who want to study nursing for in the Uk may not meet these requirements. You can avoid getting an A-level as a requirement by getting a relevant foundation degree that is equivalent to the A-level.
Foundation Degree
To study nursing in the UK as a Nigerian student, you need to do a one-year foundation programme. This foundation programme will help you to bridge the gap of the difference between the Nigerian education system and the education system applicable in the United Kingdom. Going through the foundation programme will enable you to have the required academic background needed to study and get a degree in nursing in the UK. Nursing programme in the UK usually takes between 6-8 months period to complete.
There are only three (3) centres/states that offer international Foundation programs in Nigeria. The states that offer the international foundation programme from Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) are Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos. The only students that will be considered for undergraduate programmes in the Uk are those students that have successfully acquired the required academic standard in the Uk. Ensure you enquire from your preferred university if the Foundation programme is a valid requirement for studying a nursing degree before you start the program.
Curriculum Vitae
Every student whether Nigerian or from other countries that intend to study nursing should have a well-written curriculum vitae. Here is a list of things expected to be included in the Curriculum vitae; bio-data, educational qualification, and work experience (the student’s work experience should include all volunteer jobs done).
It is expected that you should explain the gaps in your curriculum vitae. For instance, if you finished high school in August, and you are applying to study nursing in January of the following year. You are expected to explain in your CV what you were doing in the period between September to December.
Personal Statements
Your personal statement is expected to contain all your experiences, things that you are willing to do and the events that inspired you to choose nursing as a career. Writing a personal statement gives you the opportunity to sell yourself.
Reference Letter
To study nursing in the UK as a Nigerian student, you are required to provide two reference letters. The first is the one that your secondary school teacher should issue and the second should be from any reputable individual that can speak positively about your character. Reference letters from your family member especially anyone that bears the same surname as you will not be accepted.
Make sure that the people you approach to write reference letters for you are the people who can speak well or say positive things about your character when contacted. This is because if you have any negative references, you will not be offered admission.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Students from Nigeria and other countries who intend to study nursing in the UK are expected to show their ability to communicate effectively in the English language.
All universities in the Uk require IELTS to show that you are proficient in the English language. Most universities in the UK require a total score of 6.5 to 7 while some UK universities also accept high grades in the English language in WAEC as proof of English language proficiency.
There is a need to inquire from the university you are applying to about their IELT requirements and if a high grade in WAEC can serve as an alternative to English language proficiency.
Universities And Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)
After going through the requirements to study nursing in the UK as a Nigerian student, and you know you are ready to undertake the course, you will then be required to apply through the Universities and Colleges’ admission services (UCAS).
The UCAS is an independent organization that handles all applications to study for any undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom. UCAS can allow you to apply to five different universities to study nursing degrees. The universities in the Uk always state the requirements to study nursing in their school. Applying through UCAS to universities in the UK makes it an easy way to track your application. For more detailed information about applying for study in universities through UCAS, click here.
What Are The Alternative Routes To Study Nursing In The Uk?
It may not be easy to study nursing free in the UK for Nigerian students using the routes described above. Or you are among those asking for alternative routes to study nursing in the Uk. The other alternative routes you can use to study nursing in the UK are as a registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA) and Nursing associate.
Using this route requires you to work in the UK as a Nurse degree apprenticeship or Nursing associate. In case you don’t know how to find vacancies for RNDA, the vacancies are always advertised on the Government website or the NHS job websites.