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How to become an adult nurse

Adult nurses care for adults who are ill, injured or living with long-term conditions — assessing needs, planning care, giving treatment and medicines, and supporting patients and families.

You could work on hospital wards, in clinics, in people's homes, in GP practices or in care homes.

Nursing is a regulated profession: to practise as a nurse anywhere in the UK you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  • Regulated profession
  • Multiple routes
  • Earn while learning possible

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    Adult nursing degree, then NMC registration

    For those who want to study full-time at university, with clinical placements, before starting work as a registered nurse.

    Starting requirements

    • Usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and science
    • Usually 2 or 3 A-levels including a science, or a Level 3 diploma or Access to Higher Education course in health, science or nursing — universities set their own requirements
    • Health and character checks before you can register

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an NMC-approved adult nursing degree
    2. Study and complete clinical placements
    3. Apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund if you are eligible
    4. Graduate; your university confirms your health and character to the NMC
    5. Register with the NMC and apply for nursing jobs
    Estimated duration
    Usually 3 years full-time
    How we estimate this

    The National Careers Service says full-time adult nursing degrees usually take 3 years. Some graduates in related subjects may join the second year.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £31,086Paid up front by you: £1,716Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually once you register and start as a nurse. Placements are part of the course; many students also work part-time.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Registered nurse degree apprenticeship

    For those who want to earn a wage and qualify as a nurse while working for a healthcare employer, without paying tuition fees.

    Starting requirements

    • You need a job with an employer that offers the apprenticeship and supports your application
    • Usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) plus A-levels or equivalent — employers and universities set their own requirements
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training

    Pathway outline

    1. Find a registered nurse degree apprenticeship with a healthcare employer
    2. Work and study towards an NMC-approved degree; your employer and the government pay for training
    3. Complete the apprenticeship and its assessment
    4. Register with the NMC
    5. Work as a registered nurse
    Estimated duration
    Around 4 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists the Registered nurse degree (NMC 2018) apprenticeship at 48 months. Prior learning, such as nursing associate training, can shorten it.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £26,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CWork + study

    Nursing associate apprenticeship, then a shortened nurse degree apprenticeship

    For those already working in healthcare, or starting as a healthcare assistant, who want to step up in stages while earning.

    Starting requirements

    • Often a healthcare assistant or care worker role first, to gain experience
    • For the nursing associate apprenticeship: usually 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths
    • Your employer must offer and support each apprenticeship

    Pathway outline

    1. Work as a healthcare assistant or care worker to gain experience
    2. Complete the nursing associate apprenticeship (Level 5) and register with the NMC as a nursing associate
    3. Work as a registered nursing associate (your employer may ask for about a year)
    4. Take a shortened registered nurse degree apprenticeship (about 2 years)
    5. Register with the NMC as a nurse
    Estimated duration
    About 4 years or more after starting the nursing associate apprenticeship
    How we estimate this

    The nursing associate apprenticeship is listed at 24 months. Health Careers says nursing associate training may shorten a registered nurse degree apprenticeship to 2 years, and employers may want a year in post first.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £15,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Throughout — you are employed at every stage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a adult nurse

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

  • Nursing associate

    A registered profession in England that bridges healthcare assistants and registered nurses. You train through a 2-year apprenticeship or foundation degree and register with the NMC.

    National Careers Service guide: £26,000 (starter) to £31,000 (experienced), England.

    Official guidance (opens in a new tab)

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a nurse?

To register as a nurse you need to complete an NMC-approved programme at degree level. You could do this as a full-time degree or as a registered nurse degree apprenticeship while you work. You could also start as a healthcare assistant or nursing associate and progress in stages.

Can I get help with costs while studying nursing?

If you are eligible, you could get a non-repayable NHS Learning Support Fund Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year on top of student finance, plus £2,000 a year if you have a dependent child. Apprentices do not pay for their training.

Is registration with the NMC a legal requirement?

Yes. Nurses practising in the UK must be on the NMC register, and you pay a fee every year to stay registered.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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