Nursing (Children's)

If you're caring, compassionate and passionate about helping others, this degree can help you start a rewarding career. 

This programme is a holistic learning experience, enabling students to become emotionally resilient and transformational Registered Nurses of the future. This is a full-time, three year course and students will complete a range of modules to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills for safe effective nursing practice where the interests of people using or needing nursing services are put first.

Students develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of their chosen field of practice and recognise the principles of nursing across all fields and across the lifespan. Modules provide the foundation for students to develop a compassionate professionalism whereby they are trusted in the care they provide. Learning will be facilitated through a range of classroom-based activities, skills laboratories and by electronic means such as online learning, web-based training and technology-delivered instruction.  

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

So that you are fully prepared for your career in nursing, we ensure that your skills and knowledge match current working practices in health and social care. The practical abilities you develop on placement* will be underpinned and extended by the knowledge you gain through lectures, tutorials, workshops and activities in the University’s own high-quality training facilities.

*Placement hours are subject to change.

How you’re assessed

The opportunity to gain assessment feedback support will encourage dialogue, enabling students to make the most of their feedback, provide action plans and utilise academic, student and practice support staff as required. The choice of assessment task is aligned to the unit outcomes, appropriate learner outcomes with the intention of building a range of academic skills and role development.   

Who you will meet

Our teaching team includes qualified health professionals with extensive experience of nursing and leadership roles within the NHS as well as nurse education. They have professional interests ranging from surgical nursing care to cardiac rehabilitation, A&E to public health.

Trudy Cowan, Programme Leader, has been part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing team since December 2008 and previously worked as a peadiatric nurse with a focus on ensuring children's issues are being addressed.

On successful completion of this degree, you’ll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and go into practice as a nurse.

Our nursing students have an outstanding employability track record locally, nationally and internationally.

We offer full support to help you achieve your career goals, including guidance on applications, CVs and interview techniques. Health care organisations large and small attend our annual employer fairs as part of their recruitment drives. Some of our students are fortunate enough to have several job offers by the time they complete their course.

Graduates from this programme could go on to work in a range of healthcare settings across hospitals and in community-based teams. They may also go into community care homes, forensic services, acute, community, CAMHS, school health, safeguarding, specialist roles or the voluntary sector. There may also be opportunities for you to work overseas.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our admissions team may offer you an alternative course that will enable you to continue in your aspirations towards becoming a registered nurse. 

*The University will accept the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship in lieu of UCAS points or level 3 qualification requirements.*

Students should apply for the full degree programme and our admissions team will get in touch with you after the interview stage if this pathway is suitable for you.

Health or care experience that demonstrates insight into the professional values and behaviours associated with health and care environments is desirable. 

Additional entry requirements

• Interview: Yes view interview details
• An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied
• An Occupational Health Assessment and Clearance by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this when required

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our admissions team may offer you an alternative course that will enable you to continue in your aspirations towards becoming a registered nurse. 

Students should apply for the full degree programme and our admissions team will get in touch with you after the interview stage if this pathway is suitable for you.

2024/25

Funding for Nursing and Allied Health courses

By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare. 
 
All new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid. This is provided through the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and is not managed by the University. Please check with the LSF for residency requirements and eligibility criteria.

If you're eligible, you can get: 

• A training grant of £5,000 per academic year
• Parental support of £2,000 if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs 
• Money back for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs while you're on your placement
• £1,000 if studying a shortage specialism 

Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include: 

• Mental health nursing
• Learning disability nursing
• Diagnostic radiography 

In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding. Training grant payments will be paid in three instalments over the academic year. This is to provide you with a consistent flow of funding throughout the academic year as far as possible. 
 
All NHS LSF applications must be submitted within six months of the start of the academic year and you will need confirmation of your Student Finance in order to complete your application. You need to set up an NHS Learning Support Fund online account to apply. 

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

International students can only join the September intake at Kedleston Road, Derby Campus.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

Other courses you might like

• Nursing (Adult) BSc (Hons)
• Nursing (Mental Health) BSc (Hons)
• Nursing (Adult) MSc

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.