Cardiff University Nursing Degrees (Adult, Child & Mental Health) (2026)
Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences offers Bachelor of Nursing routes in Adult, Children’s and Mental Health fields under NHS Wales commissioning rules. International places are tightly restricted by field. Regulator: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences offers Bachelor of Nursing routes in Adult, Children’s and Mental Health fields under NHS Wales commissioning rules. International places are tightly restricted by field.
Overview & Why Students Choose Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a UK higher-education provider offering pre-registration nursing degree routes in Cardiff, Wales. This guide focuses on NMC field programmes, UCAS entry points, fees, and practice learning partners from official university sources reviewed for 2026.
Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences offers Bachelor of Nursing routes in Adult, Children’s and Mental Health fields under NHS Wales commissioning rules. International places are tightly restricted by field.
Successful completion of an approved pre-registration nursing programme leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in your chosen field of practice.
Reasons students choose Cardiff University
NMC field routes
Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing and Mental Health Nursing — choose the field that matches your intended area of practice.
Campus & city
Teaching linked to Cardiff, Wales. Campuses: Cardiff — School of Healthcare Sciences.
NHS practice learning
Practice learning with NHS Wales and approved partners across South Wales — confirm current organisations on Cardiff Healthcare Sciences pages
Nursing Programmes Offered
UK nursing degrees are organised by NMC field of practice: Adult, Children’s, Mental Health, and Learning Disabilities (plus dual-field or integrated master’s routes where offered). Below are the field routes confirmed as offered for Cardiff University in sources reviewed for this guide.
Pre-registration
Adult Nursing
Offered — Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) UCAS B742 (BN award). Standard September 2026 places are not open to EU/overseas fee status; a separate subsidised international Adult Nursing scheme for 2026/27 is closed to overseas applications.
Children's Nursing
Offered — Bachelor of Nursing (Children’s) UCAS B732 (BN award). Not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees.
Mental Health Nursing
Offered — Bachelor of Nursing (Mental Health) UCAS B762 (BN award). Not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| UCAS course codes | Adult Nursing B742; Children’s Nursing B732; Mental Health Nursing B762. Confirm intake month and any HEIW-commissioned variants on cardiff.ac.uk. |
| Degree apprenticeship | Confirm any nursing apprenticeship routes with Cardiff and NHS Wales employers; places are employer-sponsored and limited. |
| Delivery | campus |
This guide lists field routes offered in sources reviewed for 2026. See the official Cardiff University course page and the NMC for any later changes.
NMC Registration & Programme Status
Graduates of approved pre-registration programmes apply to join the NMC register in their field of practice.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) |
| Registration pathway | Complete an approved pre-registration programme, then apply to join the NMC register |
| Fields listed on this guide | Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing and Mental Health Nursing |
| Source / next step | nmc.org.uk · Joining the register |
Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and nurses educated outside the UK differ from home applicants. Use this as a checklist — not immigration or licensing advice.
For Cardiff University: Standard September 2026 Adult Nursing places are not open to applicants with EU or overseas fee status. Cardiff also operated a separate subsidised international Adult Nursing training scheme linked to a minimum 24-month NHS Wales employment commitment, but applications for 2026/27 are now closed. Child and Mental Health Nursing are not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees.
- English-language proficiency: Many UK nursing courses require IELTS 7.0 overall (often with minimum component scores); check the exact standard on the Cardiff University course page.
- Academic credentials: Overseas qualifications may need evaluation; follow university admissions guidance.
- NMC (overseas-qualified nurses): If you already trained abroad and want UK registration, follow the NMC’s overseas route (which may include CBT/OSCE). That path is separate from starting a UK student nursing degree.
- Student visa: The course must be eligible for a Student visa and practice placements must meet visa conditions.
Policies change. Use Cardiff University’s international office and the NMC for final checks.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-registration nursing at Cardiff University is typically competitive. Applications for most full-time undergraduate routes go through UCAS. Expect academic thresholds plus values-based interview, occupational health, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Application route
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Application system | UCAS (Clearing / alternative routes may open later in the cycle) |
| UCAS course codes | Adult Nursing B742; Children’s Nursing B732; Mental Health Nursing B762. Confirm intake month and any HEIW-commissioned variants on cardiff.ac.uk. |
| Typical entry requirements | Tariffs and GCSE packages differ by BN field. Confirm on the chosen Cardiff Healthcare Sciences course page. Interview, occupational health and enhanced DBS apply. |
| Additional checks | Interview, occupational health, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UK nursing fees differ for home and international students. Figures below come from sources reviewed for this guide; universities update fees by academic year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Home tuition | Eligible UK/Islands students on HEIW-commissioned nursing places typically have tuition covered under the NHS Wales Bursary arrangements (with a Wales work commitment). Alternative Student Finance Wales routes apply where the bursary route does not. Confirm your status on Cardiff’s healthcare funding pages. |
| International tuition | Standard September 2026 Adult Nursing places are not open to EU/overseas fee-status applicants. A separate subsidised international Adult Nursing training scheme (with a minimum 24-month NHS Wales employment commitment) is closed to overseas applications for 2026/27. Child and Mental Health Nursing are not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees. Confirm any later-intake options on cardiff.ac.uk. |
| NHS Wales Bursary / HEIW | Eligible students studying nursing in Wales should check NHS Wales bursary / HEIW commissioning rules (not the England-only NHS Learning Support Fund). See NHS Wales Bursary / HEIW · Use NHS Wales Bursary / HEIW and Student Finance Wales — not the England NHS Learning Support Fund. |
| Source | Cardiff University course / fees pages (checked 24 July 2026) |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
After completing an approved programme, graduates apply for NMC registration in their field and typically seek NHS Band 5 (or equivalent) roles. Where graduate-outcome figures were sourced for Cardiff University, they are shown below with attribution; otherwise see university and Discover Uni / Graduate Outcomes publications.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduate / satisfaction snapshot | Check National Student Survey (NSS) / Discover Uni subject pages for nursing at Cardiff University for the latest student voice indicators. |
| Registration pathway | Apply to join the NMC register after an approved pre-registration programme |
| Source | University publications / Discover Uni / Graduate Outcomes where cited |
Is Cardiff University the Right Fit for You?
Use this as a practical fit check for studying nursing at Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a UK pre-registration degree leading toward NMC registration in Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing and Mental Health Nursing.
- Can commit to academic study plus substantial NHS / practice placement hours.
- Prefer studying in or near Cardiff, Wales.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot commit to the full-time study and placement pattern of a pre-registration nursing degree.
- Cannot meet interview, DBS, or occupational health requirements.
- Are seeking a field of practice Cardiff University does not currently offer.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
UK nursing degrees rely on practice learning with NHS trusts and other approved placement providers around Cardiff, Wales and the wider region.
| Partner / setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Practice placement partners | Practice learning with NHS Wales and approved partners across South Wales — confirm current organisations on Cardiff Healthcare Sciences pages |
| Region | Cardiff, Wales |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing at Cardiff University is taught from the campuses/sites noted below, with time split between university learning and practice placements.
Main campus(es)
Teaching based in Cardiff with practice learning across South Wales NHS partners.
Open days are useful for seeing simulation facilities, placement travel times, and nursing-specific student support.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary city / campus
- Cardiff, Wales
- County / area
- Cardiff, Wales
- Website
- https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/healthcare-sciences/courses/undergraduate
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the official Cardiff University nursing page and note which NMC field you will apply for.
- Match the UCAS course code(s) and entry tariff/GCSE requirements for your chosen field.
- Check the course remains an approved pre-registration route via the university and NMC resources.
- Plan interview preparation and gather care-experience evidence if the course asks for it.
- Compare home vs international fees and NHS Wales Bursary / HEIW eligibility for your nation of study.
- Map travel time from campus to likely placement areas around Cardiff, Wales.
- Set a reminder for the UCAS deadline for your target entry year.
Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does nursing at Cardiff University cost?
Home tuition in sources checked for this guide: Eligible UK/Islands students on HEIW-commissioned nursing places typically have tuition covered under the NHS Wales Bursary arrangements (with a Wales work commitment). Alternative Student Finance Wales routes apply where the bursary route does not. Confirm your status on Cardiff’s healthcare funding pages. International: Standard September 2026 Adult Nursing places are not open to EU/overseas fee-status applicants. A separate subsidised international Adult Nursing training scheme (with a minimum 24-month NHS Wales employment commitment) is closed to overseas applications for 2026/27. Child and Mental Health Nursing are not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees. Confirm any later-intake options on cardiff.ac.uk. Eligible students studying nursing in Wales should check NHS Wales bursary / HEIW commissioning rules (not the England-only NHS Learning Support Fund). See NHS Wales Bursary / HEIW. Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
What nursing fields does Cardiff University offer?
Cardiff University lists the following NMC field routes in sources reviewed for this guide: Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. Check approved programmes on the university site and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) resources.
How do I apply to Cardiff University nursing?
Most UK pre-registration nursing degrees are applied for via UCAS. For Cardiff University, course codes in sources checked for this guide include: Adult Nursing B742; Children’s Nursing B732; Mental Health Nursing B762. Confirm intake month and any HEIW-commissioned variants on cardiff.ac.uk. Deadlines and entry criteria are on the official course page.
What are the entry requirements for Cardiff University nursing?
Typical requirements noted for Cardiff University: Tariffs and GCSE packages differ by BN field. Confirm on the chosen Cardiff Healthcare Sciences course page. Interview, occupational health and enhanced DBS apply. Nursing applications usually also involve interview, occupational health clearance, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Is Cardiff University nursing approved by the NMC?
UK pre-registration nursing degrees must lead to eligibility to apply for NMC registration. Check that your chosen Cardiff University programme remains an approved route via the university and the NMC.
Where do Cardiff University nursing students go on placement?
Placement partners noted for Cardiff University: Practice learning with NHS Wales and approved partners across South Wales — confirm current organisations on Cardiff Healthcare Sciences pages. Trust allocation can vary by cohort and field.
Does Cardiff University accept international applicants for nursing?
Standard September 2026 Adult Nursing places are not open to applicants with EU or overseas fee status. Cardiff also operated a separate subsidised international Adult Nursing training scheme linked to a minimum 24-month NHS Wales employment commitment, but applications for 2026/27 are now closed. Child and Mental Health Nursing are not available to international students because required NHS placements are restricted to applicants eligible for UK fees. Expect English-language requirements and Student visa rules where applicable.
References
- Cardiff University — official course / provider pagehttps://www.cardiff.ac.uk/healthcare-sciences/courses/undergraduate
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)nmc.org.uk
- NMC — joining the registerRegistration guidance
- UCASucas.com
- NHS Wales Bursary / HEIWhttps://www.nwssp.wales.nhs.uk/student-awards
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for clarity and alignment with publicly available university, UCAS, and NMC information for UK pre-registration nursing.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, immigration, or financial advice. Programme approval, fees, deadlines, and entry criteria change; always verify with Cardiff University and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Last reviewed: 25 July 2026· Review Process · Editorial Policy