Child Nursing BSc

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Dundee

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about caring for children and supporting families through some of their most important moments, the BSc Child Nursing at the University of Dundee is a wonderful choice. This degree blends hands-on experience with strong academic foundations, helping you become a confident, compassionate children’s nurse who can work across hospital, community, and home-based settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your journey begins with the core principles of nursing and child health. You’ll explore how to care for children and young people through modules like Fundamentals of Child Health and Care, Nursing Skills and Practice 1, and Professional and Academic Skills and Knowledge 1. You’ll also get your first taste of real-world nursing in clinical skills labs and supervised placements, where you’ll learn how to communicate, observe, and deliver safe, person-centred care.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll build on this foundation and develop a deeper understanding of complex health needs in children. Modules such as Developing Healthcare Practice in Child Nursing 1 & 2 and Nursing Skills and Practice 2 help you gain confidence in managing care for children with acute or long-term conditions. Your placements will become more challenging and rewarding, giving you the chance to apply your learning in hospitals, schools, and community settings.

Year 3
Your final year focuses on leadership, decision-making, and professional readiness. You’ll study modules like Enhancing Healthcare Practice in Child Nursing, Nursing Skills and Practice 3, and Enhancing Transition to Registration. This is where you truly prepare to step into the role of a registered nurse — refining your clinical judgment, managing caseloads, and ensuring children and families receive the best possible care.

Focus Areas:
Child and young person health, family-centred nursing, acute and community care, neonatal health, professional leadership.

Learning Outcomes:
You’ll graduate ready to assess, plan, and deliver safe, evidence-based care for children and young people. You’ll build strong communication skills, work effectively with healthcare teams, and develop the confidence to make professional decisions in fast-paced environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register as a Children’s Nurse upon graduation — a globally recognised professional qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
The University of Dundee ranks 1st in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Children’s Nursing (National Student Survey 2025), reflecting its excellent teaching, support, and placement opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join the BSc Child Nursing at the University of Dundee, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. From day one, you’ll combine academic study with hands-on practice, gaining real-world experience in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. On campus, the Clinical Skills Centre acts like a mini-hospital, where you can practise procedures and respond to realistic scenarios using life-like manikins — so you build confidence before stepping into a real ward.

Here’s how you’ll get practical, immersive experience throughout the programme:

Clinical placements across NHS boards – including children’s wards, neonatal intensive care, and community teams, giving you first-hand experience caring for children and families in diverse healthcare settings.
Clinical Skills Centre workshops – simulate real patient scenarios, practise nursing techniques, and build your confidence in a safe, supportive environment.
Inter-professional learning – collaborate with students from other healthcare disciplines in team projects and practical exercises, mirroring how real healthcare teams work.
Real care settings – gain experience in hospitals and community placements, applying your knowledge to real-life situations rather than just case studies.
Professional shift experience – structured placement schedules that mirror actual nursing shifts, helping you understand the pace and responsibilities of a children’s nurse.

This blend of simulation, teamwork, and hands-on practice ensures you’re well-prepared for a career caring for children and families.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc in Child Nursing from the University of Dundee sets you up for a fulfilling and impactful career in healthcare. You’ll be fully prepared to care for children in hospitals, community health teams, schools, or even in children’s homes. The programme’s strong focus on practical experience, placements, and teamwork ensures you step into your career confident, skilled, and ready to make a real difference in children’s lives.

Career Opportunities:
Graduates from this programme often take on roles such as:

Registered Children’s Nurse – delivering direct care to children across a variety of healthcare settings.
Community Children’s Nurse – supporting children and families in home and community environments.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse – specialising in the care of critically ill newborns.
School Nurse – promoting the health and wellbeing of students within educational settings.

The University of Dundee offers excellent support to help you launch your career:

Careers Service – guidance on job applications, CV writing, and interview preparation.
Graduate Recruitment Schemes – partnerships with NHS Tayside and NHS Fife provide structured programmes for newly qualified nurses.
Jobshop – access to thousands of vacancies for part-time work, internships, and graduate roles.

While specific employment stats and salary figures for Child Nursing graduates aren’t publicly listed, the programme’s strong industry connections and dedicated support make Dundee graduates highly employable.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you can continue your studies to advance your expertise:

MSc in Nursing – specialising in areas like Advanced Practice, Leadership, or Infection Prevention and Control.
PhD in Nursing – undertaking research to contribute to the development of nursing practice and healthcare innovation.

These options allow you to grow your career, pursue advanced roles, and make an even bigger impact in children’s health.