BSc Nursing Studies (Child)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Glasgow Caledonian University

Program Overview

This degree trains you to care for children and young people, supporting their health from birth through adolescence, and helping families navigate healthcare with confidence. It’s perfect for anyone who loves working with children, enjoys hands-on learning, and wants a rewarding career where you can make a real difference.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1:
Your first year lays the foundations of child nursing. Modules like Values and Rights-based Nursing Practice and Health Improvement introduce the principles of nursing, ethics, and human rights, helping you understand how care affects children and families. Through Contemporary Healthcare Delivery and your first practice learning experiences, you’ll see how healthcare works in real-life settings and begin developing your practical skills in simulated and clinical environments.

Year 2:
In the second year, you’ll focus on child-centred care. Modules like 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, assess needs, and communicate effectively with children and families. You’ll spend more time in practice placements, applying your skills in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.

Year 3:
The final year is about managing complex care and stepping into professional nursing. With modules like Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Child Nursing and Being a Professional, you’ll coordinate care for children with complex needs, develop leadership skills, and take professional responsibility. Your practice placements ensure you graduate ready to register and start work confidently as a Children’s Nurse.

Focus areas:
Child-centred nursing care, family-centred practice, teamwork with other healthcare professionals, simulation and clinical placements.

Learning outcomes:
Deliver safe, compassionate care for children and young people; apply evidence and assessment in complex situations; work effectively in professional teams and take responsibility for practice.

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 Guardian University Guide 2025, reflecting strong teaching, practical experience, and excellent graduate outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At GCU, you’ll spend much of your time learning by doing, not just sitting in lectures. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience in hospitals, schools, and community settings, and practise your skills in state-of-the-art simulation suites that replicate real-life care for children and young people. These experiences help you build confidence, professional judgement, and the practical skills you need to succeed as a children’s nurse. Here’s how your learning comes to life:

Clinical placements: Work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community health centres, and schools, giving you real-world experience in children’s nursing.
Simulation suites: Use GCU’s purpose-built simulated home and hospital environments to rehearse care scenarios, practise decision-making, and receive constructive feedback.
International placements: Opportunities to broaden your experience and perspective by working in healthcare settings abroad, such as in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, or Bangladesh.
Inter-professional learning: Collaborate with students from other healthcare disciplines, helping you develop teamwork and communication skills essential for modern healthcare.

Progression & Future Opportunities

After completing this degree, you’ll be ready to take on roles such as Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Nurse in Acute Care, School Health Nurse, or Community Child Health Specialist. Thanks to the hands-on placements, up-to-date skills, and professional registration built into the programme, you’ll leave GCU not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to care for children and young people and make a real impact in families’ lives.

Here’s how GCU supports you in launching your career:

Careers support: GCU’s Careers & Employability Service helps you prepare your CV, practise interviews, and connect with paediatric healthcare employers including NHS boards and voluntary organisations.
Employment & salary: Around 93% of graduates move into work or further study within 15 months, with median salaries around £27,000, reflecting strong job prospects.
Industry partnerships: Partnerships with NHS boards, children’s hospitals, and community health services ensure your placements give you real-world experience and professional networks.
Accreditation & professional recognition: Graduates are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Children’s Nurse, giving you a recognised professional qualification across the UK.
Graduation outcomes: Most students quickly move into skilled children’s nursing roles, supported by practical placements and ongoing university guidance.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep learning, you could progress to postgraduate courses like an MSc in Child Health Nursing, Health Leadership, or Advanced Practice Nursing, allowing you to specialise further, take on senior roles, or move into nursing education and policy.