Children's Nursing BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

If you want to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, Kingston’s Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons) gives you the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to do just that. You’ll combine classroom learning, simulation training, and real clinical placements so that when you graduate, you’re ready to provide confident, compassionate, and evidence-based care in hospitals, community settings, and schools.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building foundations
Your first year introduces you to the essential sciences and nursing knowledge you need. Applied Life Sciences for Nursing Practice covers anatomy, physiology, and common health conditions, while Introduction to Children’s and Young People’s Nursing teaches you about child development, family dynamics, and the basics of evidence-based care. You’ll also study Public Health to understand how wider social factors affect health, and start applying what you learn in Practice Assessment Module 1 placements.

Year 2 – Growing clinical skills and community focus
In Year 2, you’ll dive deeper into caring for children in both acute and community settings. Caring for Children and Young People with Acute Healthcare Needs helps you plan and deliver care for children with complex needs, while Contemporary Public Health and Community Nursing for Children and Young People focuses on promoting health in families and communities. You’ll also develop decision-making skills in Pharmacology for Nursing Practice and Evidence-Based Healthcare for Nursing Practice, alongside continued supervised placements through Practice Assessment Module 2.

Year 3 – Complex care and professional readiness
In your final year, you’ll prepare to step into professional practice. Complex Care for Children and Young People’s Nursing develops your ability to care for children with high dependency, critical, or palliative needs. Collaborative Learning and Teaching in Practice strengthens your teamwork and communication skills, while Becoming a Registrant and Leading Care in Children and Young People’s Nursing guide you through leadership, care organisation, and confidence for your future career. Supervised practice continues through Practice Assessment Module 3.

Focus areas: children’s nursing practice, child development and wellbeing, acute and community care, evidence-based healthcare, clinical decision-making, leadership and professional transition

Learning outcomes: provide safe, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate care for children and young people; apply evidence in practice; communicate and work effectively with families and healthcare teams; coordinate complex care; and transition confidently into registered nursing practice

Professional alignment: upon completion, you are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for professional registration as a children’s nurse, enabling you to practise in the UK and internationally

Reputation: Kingston University is ranked No.1 in London for Nursing and Midwifery in The Complete University Guide 2026 and top in London for Children’s Nursing in The Guardian University Guide 2026, reflecting strong teaching, clinical preparation, and graduate outcomes

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, you won’t just be learning about children’s nursing in lectures — you’ll be practising it. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience in safe, supportive environments that mirror real clinical settings. The Nursing Simulation Suite gives you the chance to work through realistic scenarios, practise your clinical skills, and develop confidence in communication and teamwork before heading into real hospitals. Alongside this, your placements in NHS hospitals and community settings allow you to care for children and young people while learning directly from experienced professionals:

Here’s what your practical learning includes:

Simulation and Clinical Skills Facilities: Practice in realistic ward and community settings using role-players and full-body manikins to build your confidence and competence before placements.
Structured Clinical Placements: Gain hands-on experience in hospitals and community sites such as Great Ormond Street, St George’s, St Helier, Chelsea and Westminster, and Croydon Hospitals.
National and International Electives: Optional placements in the UK or abroad, with past students gaining experience in countries like India, Bulgaria, Tanzania, the UAE, and New Zealand.
Blended Learning and Group Projects: Engage in workshops, group projects, and reflective practice supported by Kingston’s digital tools and library resources.
Healthcare Partnerships: Work with NHS and independent providers to experience acute care, community nursing, and specialist paediatric care.

These practical opportunities ensure that you graduate not only with knowledge but also with the skills, confidence, and professional experience to start your career in children’s nursing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Kingston’s Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons) opens the door to a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and families. Many graduates go on to work as children’s staff nurses, neonatal nurses, paediatric A&E nurses, community children’s nurses, school nurses, or family support nurses, giving you plenty of options in hospitals, community services, and specialist care settings. This degree is highly respected by employers, giving you a strong foundation to grow and thrive in your nursing career.

Kingston University supports your journey into work with a range of resources and partnerships:

Careers and Employability Support: Receive one-to-one coaching, CV and interview guidance, and access to health sector job platforms and workshops tailored to nursing careers.
Strong Employment Outcomes: Around 100 per cent of children’s nursing graduates from Kingston are in work or further study within 15 months, with most applying their skills directly in their roles.
Competitive Salaries: Graduates typically earn around £30,000 per year, with experienced nurses progressing to higher salaries as their careers advance.
University–Industry Partnerships: Kingston collaborates with over 26 NHS and independent providers, offering placements that often lead to job opportunities.
Professional Accreditation: Completing this programme qualifies you for recommendation to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for registration as a children’s nurse — a credential valued across the UK and internationally.
Positive Graduate Outcomes: Alumni report high satisfaction and confidence in applying what they learned at Kingston directly to professional practice.

Further Academic Progression:
After starting your career as a qualified children’s nurse, you can continue your studies with postgraduate options such as a Master’s in paediatric nursing, advanced clinical practice, healthcare leadership, or education and research. This allows you to specialise, move into senior clinical roles, or explore teaching and management opportunities later in your career.