BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Child)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Glasgow Caledonian University

Program Overview

This degree trains you to care for children and young people — from newborns to adolescents — in a variety of settings, from family homes and schools to hospital wards and intensive care units. It’s perfect for anyone who loves working with children, enjoys hands-on learning, and wants a rewarding career where they can make a real difference in families’ lives.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll start by learning the foundations of nursing, with modules like Foundations of Nursing Practice and Introduction to Nursing and Professional Values, where you’ll explore essential skills and ethical principles. You’ll also study Introduction to Nursing Care Throughout the Lifespan, giving you your first insight into child-focused nursing, and begin your practice learning through simulations and introductory clinical placements.

Year 2:
Your second year focuses more on children’s nursing. Modules such as Developing Professional Skills for Child Nursing Practice and The Context of Care for Children, Young People and Their Families help you plan and deliver care, work closely with families, and develop assessment skills. You’ll spend more time in real clinical settings, including hospitals, schools, and community placements, applying what you’ve learned in a practical environment.

Year 3 (and Year 4 if Honours):
In your final year(s), modules like Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Child Nursing and Being a Professional help you manage complex care, take on leadership roles, and work collaboratively in inter-professional teams. Your major practice placements ensure that by graduation, you’re fully prepared to register and work confidently as a Children’s Nurse.

Focus areas:
Child-centred and family-centred nursing care, teamwork across healthcare professions, simulation and clinical placements, global health perspectives

Learning outcomes:
Provide safe, compassionate care for children and young people; apply evidence-based assessment and planning in complex situations; work effectively within professional teams and take responsibility for diverse care settings

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Graduates are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Children’s Nurse.

Reputation (employability rankings):
GCU is ranked 1st in Scotland for Children’s Nursing in the 2025 Guardian University Guide, reflecting excellent teaching, placements, and graduate outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, you’ll be learning by doing, not just sitting in lectures. GCU gives you the chance to practise real nursing skills in hospitals, schools, and community settings, while also using state-of-the-art simulation suites that replicate real-life scenarios with children and young people. These experiences help you build confidence, improve your decision-making, and prepare you to step into the nursing profession ready to make a difference.

Here’s what your practical learning looks like:

Clinical placements: Work in a variety of settings, including the Glasgow Children’s Hospital, community health services, and school-based clinics, giving you hands-on experience with children and families.
Simulation suites: Practice care in purpose-built wards and home environments using realistic manikins and receive structured feedback to refine your skills.
International placements: Opportunities to gain experience abroad in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Bangladesh, broadening your understanding of global child health.
Inter-professional learning: Collaborate with students from other healthcare disciplines to mirror the team-based approach used in real-life children’s nursing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

After completing this degree, you’ll be ready to step into roles such as Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Nurse in Acute Care, School Health Nurse, or Community Child Health Specialist. With hands-on placements, up-to-date skills, and professional registration built into the programme, you’ll leave GCU confident and ready to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families.

Here’s how GCU supports your journey into a career:

Careers support: The Careers & Employability Service helps you prepare a strong CV, practise interviews, and connect with paediatric healthcare employers, including NHS boards and voluntary organisations.
Employment & salary: Around 93% of graduates go into work or further study within 15 months, with median salaries around £27,000, showing strong career prospects.
Industry partnerships: Collaborations with NHS boards, children’s hospitals, and community health services give you real-world exposure and professional networks from day one.
Accreditation & professional recognition: Graduates can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Children’s Nurse, providing a nationally recognised qualification in the UK.
Graduation outcomes: Most students quickly move into meaningful children’s nursing roles, supported by placements and the university’s guidance.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue learning, you could move on to postgraduate programmes such as MSc in Child Health Nursing, Health Leadership, or Advanced Practice Nursing. These paths allow you to specialise further, take on senior roles, or explore nursing education and policy.