How Do Nurses in the UK Finance Their Training?

Until 2017, people wishing to become a nurse were eligible for an NHS bursary.  This annual funding, which didn’t have to be repaid, recognised the fact that nurses were unlike other undergraduates in that they were expected to take on work placements in hospitals and were therefore effectively employed from the very start of their course.

The whole situation changed in 2017 when nursing courses came under the Student Loan Company of each country in the UK with slight variations on what was on offer.  Not only did this mean that student nurses in England had to pay for their tuition fees (of approximately £9,000 per year), but they also had to apply for a maintenance grant to cover their living expenses.  In effect, they were paying to work for the NHS. This is in direct contrast to all other courses which have a work placement (or sandwich year). On … Read More

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