BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Canterbury Christ Church University

Program Overview

This BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) with Foundation Year is designed for students who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. It provides a supportive introduction to nursing while equipping students with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to succeed in professional child healthcare.

Curriculum Structure:

Foundation Year:
The foundation year builds your academic and practical skills, preparing you for degree-level study. You’ll explore subjects such as the fundamentals of health and social care, human biology, and professional communication, giving you a solid grounding in essential knowledge while learning how to reflect on and apply theory to practice.

Year 1:
In the first year of the degree, students focus on understanding the principles of child nursing and the development of clinical skills. Modules include Fundamentals of Children’s Nursing and Introduction to Health and Wellbeing, where you learn to assess, plan, and support the care of children and young people in a variety of settings, combining classroom learning with practical placements.

Year 2:
The second year deepens your knowledge of child health and nursing practice. You’ll study Child Nursing Practice Learning and Applied Professional Practice, gaining hands-on experience in clinical environments while developing skills in safeguarding, family-centered care, and evidence-based decision making.

Year 3:
In your final year, students focus on consolidating expertise and preparing for professional registration. Modules such as Advanced Child Nursing Practice and Leadership and Professional Development help you refine clinical skills, lead care initiatives, and understand the wider healthcare context, ensuring you graduate as a confident, competent child nurse ready to make a real impact.

Focus Areas: Child health, clinical practice, family-centered care, safeguarding, professional development

Learning Outcomes: Deliver safe and effective nursing care, critically analyze child health needs, apply evidence-based practice, communicate effectively with children, families, and healthcare teams

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Canterbury Christ Church University is recognized for high student satisfaction and strong employability within the healthcare sector, consistently ranking among the top UK universities for nursing.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Canterbury Christ Church University, learning to become a child nurse goes far beyond textbooks. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience in real clinical settings, working alongside experienced nurses and caring for children and young people under supervision. On campus, the simulation suites recreate hospital environments so you can practice procedures and decision-making in a safe, realistic space. These experiences help you build confidence, connect theory to practice, and feel fully prepared for your future career in nursing.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical skills and experience:
• Clinical placements: Spend a significant part of your time in NHS hospitals, community clinics, schools, and other healthcare settings, applying what you’ve learned and developing real-world skills while working with children, families, and healthcare teams.
• Simulation suites and labs: Practice essential nursing procedures in fully equipped simulation wards that mimic real hospital scenarios, helping you gain confidence before entering placement.
• Practice Learning Unit support: Receive guidance, coaching, and structured preparation for your placements, ensuring you always feel supported and ready.
• Professional preparation: Get your placement uniform and hospital-style ID badge, so you feel part of the healthcare team from the very start.
• Collaborative learning opportunities: Join societies and events, such as the School of Nursing Simulation Society, where you can work with peers, take part in group simulations, and develop teamwork and clinical reasoning skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this children’s nursing degree sets you up for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and families. Many of our graduates step into roles such as Registered Children’s Nurse, Community Health Nurse, School Nurse, or NHS Healthcare Coordinator — giving you plenty of options to find a path that suits your interests and ambitions:

• Careers support: The university’s Careers and Enterprise Hub offers one-to-one guidance, CV workshops, and interview preparation to help you land your first role with confidence.
• Strong employment outcomes: Around 92% of graduates from nursing-related programmes are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.
• Competitive starting salaries: Nursing graduates can expect starting salaries of approximately £32,500, which grow as you gain experience.
• Healthcare partnerships: You’ll build connections through placements and partnerships with NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers, giving you real-world experience and professional contacts.
• Professional accreditation: Completing this degree allows you to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), giving you the official credentials to practise as a child nurse in the UK and internationally.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to take your studies further, there are great options to continue your education. You could pursue a Master’s in Nursing (Child) or other advanced healthcare programmes, explore leadership roles, or specialise in areas like clinical practice, research, or teaching. Many graduates choose to gain some experience first, then return to study to boost their career prospects and open doors to senior roles in healthcare.