BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge Campus

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about caring for babies, children, and young people, the Nursing (Children) BSc (Hons) at Anglia Ruskin University is your chance to turn that passion into a rewarding career. This programme combines hands-on learning, real clinical experience, and professional guidance so that by the time you graduate, you’ll be confident, skilled, and ready to register as a children’s nurse in the UK.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year is all about building a solid foundation in nursing and starting to care for patients of all ages, with a focus on children. Modules like Foundations of Communication and Professionalism for Nursing, Fundamental Skills and Procedures for Nursing, and Applied Health Science for Nursing Across the Lifespan introduce essential skills, while placements give you your first taste of real-world nursing. You’ll also study Epidemiology, Inequality, and Health Promotion for Nursing Across the Lifespan and Contemporary Nursing Practice 1, helping you understand public health and person-centred care.

Year 2:
In your second year, you’ll take on more responsibility and deepen your clinical knowledge. Through modules like Supporting a Patient Safety Culture in Nursing, Supporting Learning and Professional Development in Nursing, Assessing and Planning Care Across the Lifespan, and Contemporary Nursing Practice 2, you’ll learn to assess patients holistically, work closely with healthcare teams, and provide evidence-based care. Coordinating and Leading Integrated Care in Interprofessional Settings prepares you for collaborative care and leadership in practice.

Year 3:
Your final year focuses on advanced skills and leadership in caring for children and young people. Modules such as Clinical Decision Making in the Acutely Unwell Child and Young Person, Applying Public Health to Children and Young People’s Nursing, and Contemporary Children and Young People’s Nursing Practice 3 help you build clinical judgement and confidence. You’ll also study Managing the Care of Children and Young People with Complex Care Needs and Leading and Managing Quality in the Care of Children and Young People, ensuring you graduate ready to provide safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.

Focus Areas

Child-centred clinical practice, communication and professionalism, patient safety culture, holistic assessment and care planning, public health in paediatrics, clinical decision making, leadership in paediatric care

Learning Outcomes

Deliver safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care to babies, children, and young people; apply clinical skills across diverse health needs; communicate confidently with families and healthcare teams; think critically in complex situations; lead and manage quality care.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which means you’ll be eligible to register as a qualified children’s nurse in the UK and pursue professional practice both nationally and internationally.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

ARU has been named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and holds a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, reflecting its high-quality teaching and student support. Graduates from this programme enjoy excellent employability, with 100 % employed within six months, many securing roles in the very NHS trusts where they trained.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Anglia Ruskin University, learning to become a children’s nurse is all about doing as much as learning. From the very first year, you’ll get hands-on experience both on campus and in real healthcare settings, helping you build confidence and practical skills while caring for babies, children, and young people. On campus, you’ll practise in purpose-built skills labs that simulate children’s wards, using realistic equipment and life-like mannekins, while smaller group sessions and supportive tutors ensure you get the guidance you need. You’ll also benefit from virtual simulation exercises that let you practise clinical decision-making safely before stepping into placements.

Here’s what your practical learning journey looks like:

Purpose-built nursing skills labs – practise essential clinical skills like patient monitoring, communication, and movement assistance in simulated children’s ward settings.
Realistic equipment and mannekins – use life-like models of babies and children, including simulators with vital sign monitors, to prepare for real clinical scenarios.
Structured clinical placements – join NHS healthcare trusts from early in your degree, caring for real patients under supervision and applying your knowledge in hospital wards, community clinics, and schools.
Simulation and virtual practice learning – engage with digital platforms to practise decision-making, patient care, and problem-solving in realistic scenarios.
Group work and peer learning – collaborate with your cohort in labs and simulations to build teamwork, communication, and shared problem-solving skills.
Guidance from experienced clinicians – learn directly from registered nurses who bring real-world insight and expertise into every session.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from ARU’s Nursing (Children) programme opens the door to a career where you can truly make a difference in the lives of babies, children, and young people. Many of our graduates step straight into rewarding roles in healthcare, confident in their clinical skills and ready to provide safe, compassionate care. Typical career paths include Registered Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Community Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, School Health Nurse, Health Visitor, and Care Coordinator:

Careers and Employability support: From your very first term, ARU’s Careers and Employability team helps you with CVs, interview practice, access to job fairs, and connections with employers — providing support that continues even after graduation.
Excellent employment outcomes: 100 % of our Nursing (Children) graduates find employment within six months, with many starting roles in the very NHS trusts where they completed their placements.
Competitive salary potential: Graduates typically earn around £31,400 in their first year, with opportunities to grow as you gain experience and specialise.
University–industry partnerships: Your degree includes structured placements with NHS healthcare trusts, giving you real-world experience and valuable professional contacts before you graduate.
Accreditation that counts: The programme is fully approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning you’ll be eligible to register as a qualified children’s nurse in the UK — a credential respected nationally and internationally.
Positive graduation outcomes: Many graduates report that their work feels meaningful and fulfilling, reflecting the real-world impact of the skills and knowledge they developed at ARU.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree, you have lots of options to continue learning and developing your career. You could pursue postgraduate study in areas like Advanced Clinical Practice, Child Health, Public Health, or Nursing Leadership, or complete NMC-approved specialist qualifications to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist or take on leadership roles. Some graduates also go on to research degrees (MSc/PhD) or professional roles in education, policy, or healthcare service development, helping shape the future of children’s health.