Fersiwn Gymraeg

Take your next step in healthcare

Do you work in the health and social care sector and are you interested in becoming a registered nurse? Our qualifications will help you make your ambitions a reality.
The Open University offers exciting learning opportunities. Our 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 work as a Healthcare Assistant and have a permanent contract of employment (over 30 hours per week) you can apply for a fully-funded place on our BSc (Hons) Nursing degree. You need to be either working in an NHS Wales Health Board or a Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) recognised independent sector organisation. 

We offer four fields of nursing: Adult, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health.

Applications are welcome at entry level (Level 1) or, subject to successful credit transfer application, you may be able to transfer up to 180 credits towards the nursing degree. 

We have intakes in the autumn and spring. Please speak to your line manager and then liaise with your employer’s nurse education team regarding the application process.

Entry requirements

To apply for the BSc Nursing degree, you must demonstrate:

  • literacy (functional skills level 2 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE Grade C or above in English)
  • numeracy (functional skills level 2 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE Grade C or above in Maths)
  • good character, evidenced through self-declaration, an enhanced criminal record disclosure, and two references – one of which must be from your current employer (where applicable)
  • good health, evidenced through self-declaration of health status, occupational health screening, review of previous sickness and absence record, and two references – one of which must be from your current employer (where applicable)
You will also need to successfully complete an interview and assessment of your personal values matched to the requirements for sensitive nursing practices. 

If you don’t have the required qualifications, you could study Essential Skills Wales (ESW) Level 2 Application of Number and Communication. This can be done as part of the Pont i Bawb programme. This is a Wales-wide part-time distance learning programme run in conjunction with Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC). You can study at home from anywhere in Wales and it’s fully funded meaning you don’t pay anything. Find out more about how to apply.

Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice

If you feel that you may not be ready for the full Nursing degree,  you could study our Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice which covers Part 1 of the degree over 16-18 months. 

Are you an employer?

As one of the top Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved providers, we work closely with NHS Wales and Welsh healthcare providers 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 BSc (Hons) Nursing, please email wales-nursing@open.ac.uk to further discuss the opportunities. We welcome correspondence in Welsh and in English and corresponding with us in Welsh will not lead to delay.

I was going to start working towards band 4, but the ward manager said there was a new scheme with the OU, and that’s how I got the chance really. Online learning is great. The support network is very good. All the module tutors and mentors are there for you if you need them, and you don’t feel the need to worry about anything. One thing’s for sure, nursing is going to open a lot of doors for me.

Siân Angharad Roberts, Denbighshire, Wales

The Open University offers a flexible route into Nursing. You can learn in your own environment, at your own pace, in your own time. You’re also supported financially through your employment, so you’re still paid your salary.

Mark Crothers, South Wales
To find out more about our BSc (Hons) Nursing degree, visit our website.