Applying for university

I really want to go to university to become a nurse. However I have no idea where to start? My partner thinks it's a really bad idea and it will make me get into debt. I have zero idea about how uni works and fees and just wondering if somebody can explain in basic terms.

Reply 1

Antique1

11

Original post by Happyhippo21

I really want to go to university to become a nurse. However I have no idea where to start? My partner thinks it's a really bad idea and it will make me get into debt. I have zero idea about how uni works and fees and just wondering if somebody can explain in basic terms.

You have 2 options basically, both will require level 3 qualifications of some kind (A levels, T levels or an Access course). The options are;

1. Traditional nursing degree involving student loans

2. A nursing degree apprenticeship, where you work part-time as a health care support worker and attend university at the same time.
This takes longer (at least 4 years), but you will not have a loan afterwards.

Some NHS Trusts exclusively support their current health care support worker staff; others will interview from scratch.

Some Trusts only support adult nursing degree apprenticeships, others will support mental health, learning disability and children’s nursing.

For more information, look at two websites:

-the NHS Careers’ website.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk

-Also. some degree apprenticeships are advertised on the NHS Jobs website.
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

I hope that’s a starting point, and that you get some replies from current students!

Reply 2

Antique1

11

Also, you asked about finance for traditional nursing & midwifery degrees.

I am no expert, but basically finance awards cover tuition fees (teaching costs), which will be around £9250 per year and are paid to the University.

There is also a maintenance loan available which can be applied for to support living expenses. This is based on a number of factors.
It’s means-tested on household income, (including your partner’s income if you live together). It also considers various other factors.

For NHS students, there may well be other financial support available, again I’m not an expert and it’s complex.

Student loans are not like normal bank loans. You have to earn a certain salary before starting to repay and there is a maximum time you pay for.
Look up Student Finance and support for NHS students online.

Hopefully you’ll have some other responses on this site as well!

Nurse Manager,
workforce development (recently retired)

Reply 3

Teesside University

Official Rep

17

Original post by Happyhippo21

I really want to go to university to become a nurse. However I have no idea where to start? My partner thinks it's a really bad idea and it will make me get into debt. I have zero idea about how uni works and fees and just wondering if somebody can explain in basic terms.

Hi there,

That's amazing to hear that you'd like to go to university and become a nurse. Nursing can be such a rewarding and fulfilling career.

I understand it can be daunting when it comes to thinking about the fees to study a degree, but there is really no need to worry as there are options there to support you!

When considering university you have two key costs to think about. Firstly, the cost of tuition fees for your course and secondly, your living costs. For each of these costs, financial support is available from Student Finance England (SFE) for every eligible student to access.

If you are an eligible full-time UK undergraduate student you can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your fees each year. The tuition fee loan is repayable - but not until you’ve left university and your income is over the repayment threshold. Full-time students can also apply for financial support for help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. This support is in the form of a repayable maintenance loan. The amount of maintenance loan you can get depends on where you live, where you study and your household income.

You can find out more here, including information on repayments and funding for part-time students: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/fulltime/funding.cfm

There's also financial support available for students studying certain health courses, such as nursing. For example, you may be eligible for a £5,000 maintenance grant each year from the NHS Business Service Authority. Find out more: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf

In terms of where to start, it's a great idea to research your options - find out which universities offer the course you're interested in and take a look at their course pages, their facilities, placement information and what their campus is like. You'll also want to think about whether you want to stay at home and study at a university close by, or move away, depending on which university you choose.

It's an exciting time thinking about going to university - make sure you do what's right for you!

I hope that helps, and best of luck! 😃
G

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 4

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post by Happyhippo21

I really want to go to university to become a nurse. However I have no idea where to start? My partner thinks it's a really bad idea and it will make me get into debt. I have zero idea about how uni works and fees and just wondering if somebody can explain in basic terms.

If you don’t have a degree then you would qualify for the student loan, technically this is debt, however it operates more like a tax. I recommend reading martin lewis material on this topic.

Id also say consider looking into NHS funding options, generally they have options I think. Is there any degree apprenticeships perhaps? (For example: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/2024/nursing-adult-bmedsci?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuv-__4TnhQMVQZRQBh0p3w5bEAAYASAAEgLE3fD_BwE)

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 5

Antique1

11

Original post by Happyhippo21

I really want to go to university to become a nurse. However I have no idea where to start? My partner thinks it's a really bad idea and it will make me get into debt. I have zero idea about how uni works and fees and just wondering if somebody can explain in basic terms.

Look at the NHSJobs website and search for ‘degree nurse apprenticeship.’ There are quite a few advertised at the moment. You can filter the location.

For example, I found the one below just now.
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9263-24-0486?keyword=degree%20nurse%20apprenticeship&language=en&skipPhraseSuggester=true

There are also many other nhs degree apprenticeships, if it’s a caring profession you want and are not absolutely certain about nursing.

Make sure it’s a field you can be happy in because the NHS is relentless work currently. However, it certainly needs new workforce! Whatever path you choose, very good luck with it.

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