Nursing (Child)

If you are passionate about helping others, this degree will help you start a rewarding career. The course is underpinned by the desire to deliver kind, compassionate nursing care.

Why choose this course
The course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) meaning you will be eligible to register and practise as a Children’s Nurse when you graduate. By choosing this course, you can be confident that you will have opportunities to learn the skills and knowledge that match current working practices in health and social care, and will meet the standards and competencies contained within the NMC once you graduate.

Opportunities and experiences
A compulsory part of the course is practice learning which equates to 50% of the overall programme in line with the NMC standards (NMC, 2018). Students must complete at least 2300 hours of practice learning to support the application of theory to practice. Practice learning is achieved through a variety of placement experiences to enable you to gain essential practical experience by participating in 24-hour care. Throughout, you will benefit from the support of Practice Assessors and Practice Supervisors who will help you get the most out of your experience.

How you will learn
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, including a mock NHS ward. Students develop an in-depth and comprehensive understanding about 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.

Careers and employability
On successful completion of this degree, you will 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 are 3rd for careers after 15 months in the Guardian University Guide 2026.

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

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, we were named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality. Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027