Nursing (Children)

Please note that advanced entry is not available on any of our Pre-Registration Nursing Programmes at this time.

Be a part of our supportive, specialist child nursing community in Cambridge, Chelmsford or Peterborough.

Our purpose-built child nursing labs simulate many aspects of a working hospital ward. You’ll use sophisticated healthcare equipment in small group sessions, led by highly experienced and dedicated staff. And, of course, you’ll spend lots of time out on placement.

You’ll gain the clinical knowledge, skills, confidence and accreditation you need to succeed as a registered children’s nurse.

Student nurses can take advantage of nursing training grants worth at least £5,000 per year.

Here at ARU, we’re dedicated to the continual improvement of healthcare and stand by the values of the NHS Constitution.

We think it’s important to reflect on what makes a great nurse. As a paediatric nurse, you'll have a natural rapport with young people and work closely with parents, carers and relatives. A compassionate child nurse understands that patient wellbeing must be placed at the centre of the care they deliver. A courageous nurse uses good communication to advocate for what’s right for patients and their families and commits to act as a role model. We’ll help you grow into a competent nurse and concentrate on developing your leadership skills.

We’re proud to have been shortlisted for Nurse Education Provider of the Year in 2023 by the Student Nursing Times. It speaks volumes about the quality of our teaching.

You’ll soon discover that ARU is a stimulating place to study child nursing, with dedicated facilities and registered, practising tutors who’ll make sure you’re being taught the latest techniques and give you the support you need to succeed. We make use of technology to support your learning too, with virtual reality scenarios and real time assessment.

Our Nursing and Midwifery Council-validated degree places equal value on clinical practice and theory. It’ll take you from university lectures to a variety of placements. You may well find yourself at a GP surgery, attending health visits, on a general children's ward or in paediatric A&E.

Hospital placements last around seven to 12 weeks and include both acute and community settings. There’s also the option of a self-funded overseas placement at the end of Year 2.

You’ll be linked to one of our NHS healthcare trust partners for your placements in hospitals or community settings.

If you study in Cambridge or Peterborough, you’ll do your placements in or around Cambridge, Huntingdon or Peterborough.
If you study in Chelmsford, you’ll do your placements in or around Chelmsford, Southend, Basildon, Harlow or Colchester.

We want to make sure you experience a variety of placements and that you graduate as an effective practitioner. Our placement maps will help you plan your travel before you start on the course.

Teaching usually takes place between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, and on campus time is supplemented by online learning and virtual lectures. On placement, you’ll be working shifts, this can mean early, late and night shifts, as well as working weekends and bank holidays. You’ll be supported by practice supervisors and assessors on placements as well as staff from ARU.

Each year, you’ll get allocated annual leave at set points to support you in balancing your course and relaxation time.

Throughout your time studying children's nursing at ARU, you’ll have the chance to share experiences with students from other health care courses, and to see how the professions work together to provide effective and seamless care.

We also offer our children's nursing degree as a degree apprenticeship.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.