Take your next step in healthcare

Whether you want to become a registered nurse, or are a registered professional looking to enhance your practice, our qualifications will help you make your ambitions a reality.
It’s hard to imagine a more dynamic, fast-changing sector than health in the UK. The Open University offers exciting learning opportunities, whether you are a healthcare support worker or a registered healthcare professional looking to progress your career. Flexible study arrangements fit in with your work and home life, so you can carry on earning while you learn.

BSc (Hons) Nursing

If you want to become a registered nurse and are already working in a healthcare role within the NHS, this unique practice-based qualification is for you. You’ll be able to stay in work while you study provided that you have the support of your employer.

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Nursing on our website. Here you can explore the entry requirements, find out about fees, and discover what funding may be available. Head straight to the How to Apply section to take the first step to achieving a nursing qualification.

Introducing health and social care

Are you interested in learning about nursing, health and social care? Our introductory module, Introducing health and social care, will provide you with a broad foundation of essential knowledge and academic skills in the care field. 
 
Anyone can study this module, whatever your background or current job. You can also carry the credits on to further qualifications at the OU.

Are you an employer?

As one of the top Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved providers, we work with over 200 employers throughout the UK to develop their nursing workforce.

Employers rate us highly for:

  • the high quality of our learning and student support (endorsed by professional bodies and external quality reviewers)
  • our strong focus on improving practice and the quality of care
  • the fact that staff carry on working while they learn, and apply their new knowledge and skills from the start.
If you’re interested in registering your staff on our nursing programme, or would like to find out more about becoming a partner, email our team.

An alternative route into nursing

If you aren’t currently working in a healthcare role, but would like to pursue a career in nursing in Oxford and the surrounding areas, the OU also offers an alternative, direct-entry route in partnership with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

Find out more on our Oxford University Hopsitals Foundations Trust page.