BSc (Hons) Children and Young People's Nursing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bedfordshire

Program Overview

The Children and Young People’s Nursing BSc (Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire is designed for people who are passionate about supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people. It’s ideal for students who are compassionate, practical, and eager to combine academic learning with hands-on experience in hospitals, community settings, and specialist care environments.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in child and adolescent health, learning about Anatomy and Physiology, Foundations of Nursing Practice, and Practice Learning. You’ll develop core skills in communication, patient care, and professional values, and begin your first supervised clinical placements to connect theory with real-world practice.

Year 2
The second year deepens your clinical knowledge and practical skills. Through modules like Long-Term Conditions, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, and ongoing Practice Learning, you’ll learn to assess and manage more complex health needs, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide safe and effective care.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll focus on leadership, advanced clinical skills, and preparation for professional registration. Units such as Leadership and Management in Nursing, Advancing Professional Practice, and a Practice-Focused Project help you refine your expertise, develop confidence in decision-making, and transition smoothly into your career as a registered children’s nurse.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Child and adolescent health, clinical skills, long-term and acute conditions, evidence-based practice, leadership, professional values

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Deliver safe and compassionate care, communicate effectively with children, families, and teams, apply evidence to practice, manage complex health needs, demonstrate professional accountability

Professional Alignment (accreditation)

Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling graduates to register as a Registered Children and Young People’s Nurse

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Bedfordshire is proud of strong student satisfaction, with 92% of nursing students reporting satisfaction with their course, and graduates are well-supported into professional roles through extensive placements and employability guidance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On the Children and Young People’s Nursing BSc (Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire, half of your learning takes place in real healthcare settings, giving you hands-on experience from the very start. You’ll care for children and young people alongside qualified nurses, while also practising in on-campus facilities designed to mirror real clinical and community environments — making it safe and supportive to develop your skills before stepping into placements.

Here’s how practical learning works on this course:

Clinical placements: Spend time in hospitals and community settings across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, or Milton Keynes, experiencing real shift patterns and working with multi-professional teams.
Simulation suite: Use a five-bedded ward with medical-grade mannequins, including an infant mannequin, to practise assessment and care in realistic clinical scenarios before going on placement.
Skills practice rooms: Develop core skills like life support, venepuncture, and catheterisation under expert guidance.
Community living simulation: Practise holistic care in a purpose-built mock home environment, complete with children’s rooms, baby facilities, and living areas.
Expert support and teaching: Learn from clinical specialists from NHS trusts and experienced lecturers who guide you in bridging theory and practice.
Library and study resources: Access a wide range of healthcare books, digital resources, group work areas, and quiet study spaces to support your learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Children and Young People’s Nursing BSc (Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire opens the door to a fulfilling career where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and young people. Many of our graduates go on to work as registered children’s nurses, paediatric community nurses, clinical care coordinators, or specialist family health practitioners, giving you the flexibility to work in hospitals, community services, or specialist care settings:

Dedicated careers support: Bedfordshire’s Careers and Employability Service is on hand to guide you every step of the way, offering one-to-one advice, help with applications and CVs, interview coaching, and links to healthcare employers — so you’re confident and ready to start your career.
Strong employment prospects and competitive salaries: Around 85% of graduates find work or continue their studies within 15 months of finishing the course, with typical early-career nursing salaries around £28,000, reflecting the high demand for skilled professionals.
University–industry partnerships: The course has been developed in collaboration with regional healthcare providers, and your extensive placements give you valuable hands-on experience and professional networks before you even graduate.
Professional accreditation: Successful graduates are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a children and young people’s nurse, a qualification recognised across the UK.
Meaningful career start: Graduates enter the workforce with both practical experience and strong theoretical knowledge, giving them a solid foundation to progress quickly in their careers.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, there are postgraduate options such as Master’s degrees in Advanced Clinical Practice, Specialist Nursing, or Healthcare Leadership. These pathways allow you to specialise, take on leadership or research roles, or move into education — expanding your career opportunities and your impact in healthcare.