Nursing is one of the few degree subjects with genuinely different, well-established routes in depending on your age and circumstances. This guide compares the three main paths, Access to HE Diploma (Nursing), A-Levels, and Nursing Degree Apprenticeships, so you can see which fits your situation before you commit a year or more of study.
We also cover how UCAS Tariff points work for nursing applications and what Russell Group and other research-intensive universities typically expect from applicants.
The three routes into nursing compared
| Route | Typical duration | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) | 9 to 12 months, then a 3-year nursing degree | Adults aged 19+ without traditional school-leaver qualifications, or career changers |
| A-Levels (typically Biology plus two others) | 2 years, then a 3-year nursing degree | School leavers aged 16 to 18 planning ahead for a nursing degree |
| Nursing Degree Apprenticeship | 4 to 5 years, combining work and study, no separate pre-degree course needed | Those wanting to earn a salary while training, subject to limited employer-linked places |
Route 1: Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)
The Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) is a one-year, full-time (or extended part-time) course built specifically to prepare adult learners for a nursing degree. It combines core science units, typically covering human biology, anatomy and physiology, with academic study skills such as essay writing, referencing and critical analysis.
- No need for existing A-Levels or a prior science background in most cases, though GCSE-level English and Maths, or equivalent Functional Skills, are usually expected
- Carries UCAS Tariff points that convert directly for use in nursing degree applications
- Typically completed in around one academic year, considerably faster than the two-year A-Level route
- Explicitly named as an accepted entry qualification by nursing degree courses at a wide range of universities
See full entry requirements and start dates on the Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) course page at Lift College.
Route 2: A-Levels for school leavers
If you are 16 to 18 and know you want to study nursing, taking A-Levels is a well-trodden route. Biology is almost always required or strongly preferred by nursing degree courses, and a second science or a related subject such as Psychology, Sociology or Health and Social Care is commonly recommended.
| Requirement | Typical detail |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Biology usually required or strongly preferred; a second science or related subject often expected |
| Grades | Commonly BBC to BBB, though competitive universities may ask for higher |
| UCAS Tariff points | Most nursing courses ask for the equivalent of around 112 to 128 points |
Always check the specific published entry requirements for each university, since nursing degree requirements vary more than many other subjects due to differing course structures and clinical placement arrangements.
Route 3: Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
The Nursing Degree Apprenticeship allows you to work as a trainee nursing associate or healthcare support worker while studying part-time towards a full nursing degree, typically over four to five years, with your employer paying your salary throughout.
- You earn a salary from day one, avoiding student loan debt for tuition in many cases
- Places are employer-led and considerably more limited than standard university applications, often requiring you to already be working in a relevant healthcare support role
- Competition for apprenticeship places can be intense, particularly in popular NHS trusts and specialisms
UCAS Tariff points and Russell Group requirements
Whichever route you take, your application will be measured against UCAS Tariff points and the specific entry profile published by each university’s nursing course.
- Access to HE Diploma (Nursing): a strong Distinction profile can carry up to around 144 UCAS points, comfortably meeting most nursing course requirements
- A-Levels: typical nursing offers sit around 112 to 128 points, roughly BBC to BBB
- Russell Group universities offering nursing, such as King’s College London, University of Southampton and University of Manchester, generally accept both A-Levels and the Access to HE Diploma, but always check individual course pages since requirements and accepted Access subjects vary
It is worth noting that not every Russell Group university runs a nursing degree, since nursing is offered by a specific subset of universities regardless of Russell Group membership, so checking course availability matters as much as checking grade requirements.
How much do nurses earn once qualified?
Whichever entry route you choose, newly qualified nurses in the NHS start on the same Agenda for Change pay band once registered.
See our full breakdown of nurse salaries in the UK for the current NHS pay bands, London weighting and private sector comparison.