Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

City University of London

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing at City St George’s is designed to prepare you to become a confident, compassionate children’s nurse, caring for infants, children, and young people in hospitals, community settings, and specialist units. You’ll combine hands-on clinical experience with modern simulated learning and up-to-date academic study, so you graduate ready to make a real impact in children’s healthcare and gain professional registration.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year introduces the core foundations of nursing and the sciences behind it. Modules such as Foundations of Nursing Practice, Foundations of Biological Sciences, and Biopsychosocial Development across the Life Course give you essential knowledge about child development and health. You’ll also begin practical skills training in Practice 1 – Foundations of Nursing Practice (Skills), developing hands-on competence in a safe learning environment.

Year 2:
In year two, you’ll build on your knowledge and start tackling more complex care scenarios. Modules like Acute Conditions, Pathophysiology, and Critical Use of Evidence in Nursing Practice teach you how to assess and respond to children’s health needs. Practice 2 – Applying Knowledge and Skills for Person-Centred Care in Practice allows you to gain real-world experience in hospitals and community settings, supporting long-term child wellbeing.

Year 3:
The final year focuses on leadership, advanced practice, and professional readiness. Modules such as Leading and Managing Others, Principles of Prescribing, and Practice 3 – Preparing to be a Proficient Practitioner develop your independence and clinical confidence. You’ll also complete a Dissertation and study Engaging Technology in Health and Social Care, helping you integrate research and digital tools into modern paediatric nursing.

Focus areas: paediatric nursing, child and adolescent development, acute and long-term care, evidence-based practice, leadership, and healthcare technology.

Learning outcomes: develop specialist skills in children’s care, plan and deliver holistic care, communicate effectively with families and healthcare teams, use evidence to inform practice, and lead safe, person-centred nursing interventions.

Professional alignment (accreditation): approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) — graduates are eligible to register as qualified children’s nurses in the UK.

Reputation (employability rankings): the programme offers placements at top London NHS trusts including Barts Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and UCLH, providing graduates with strong employability and career development opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At City St George’s, your Children’s Nursing degree is all about learning by doing. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for real-world practice. Around half of your time is spent on clinical placements in hospitals, specialist paediatric units, community services, and even children’s homes, helping you build the confidence and practical skills needed to care for young patients. On campus, you’ll also benefit from modern simulated ward environments and the Clinical Skills Centre, where you can practise procedures and scenarios in a safe, realistic setting before heading out on placement.

Your practical learning includes:
• Clinical placements in leading London trusts — work in children’s emergency departments, paediatric wards, and community units, applying your skills in real child health environments.
• Simulated practice in the Clinical Skills Centre — practise nursing procedures in mock wards that mirror real clinical settings.
• Technology-enhanced learning and online clinical resources — use interactive materials and video demonstrations to reinforce skills between placements.
• Group work and enquiry-based activities — develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills through discussions and projects.
• Placement support structures — receive guidance and feedback from dedicated placement facilitators and your link lecturer throughout your placements.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons) at City St George’s prepares you to step confidently into a rewarding career caring for infants, children, and young people in hospitals, community services, and specialist paediatric settings. You’ll leave with the professional registration needed to practise as a children’s nurse, ready to make a real difference in young patients’ lives. Many graduates go on to roles such as Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Specialist, Community Child Health Nurse, Clinical Educator, Neonatal Care Nurse, or Ward Manager:

• Career support: The university’s Careers and Employability team provides personalised guidance, NHS-focused career events, CV and interview workshops, and support connecting with placement partners — helping you make professional connections while you study.
• Employment prospects & salary: Most graduates secure relevant roles quickly, with data showing up to 87% of nursing and midwifery graduates employed or in further study within 15 months, and early-career salaries averaging around £34,000.
• Industry partnerships: Clinical placements take place in top London NHS trusts, including Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and other specialist paediatric units, giving you real-world experience and professional networking opportunities.
• Accreditation value: Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this degree allows you to register as a qualified children’s nurse in the UK — a respected qualification recognised nationally and internationally.
• Graduation outcomes: Graduates are ready to join NHS teams, with opportunities to specialise in areas like neonatal care, community health, or leadership roles as they gain experience.

Further Academic Progression:
After your degree and NMC registration, you can pursue postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice, specialist nursing programmes, or research-led degrees. These pathways open doors to senior clinical roles, academic posts, leadership positions, or consultancy work in paediatric healthcare.