• February 18, 2021

Applications for UK Nursing degrees on the rise following Covid pandemic breakout

LONDON Feb 18: COVID-19 has inspired future student to become nurses, with a third more applying to study the subject at university than last year, although professionals say the rise is only a reflection of the numbers five years ago.

Applications to undertake nursing degrees have reached more than 60,000, a rebound after years of decline following the removal of government support for tuition fees and living costs.

The director of the Royal College of Nursing, Mike Adams has stated “the increase was still insufficient to fill tens of thousands of NHS nursing vacancies. This starts by providing full
tuition funding and living cost support to make sure none of these students are forced to leave because of financial pressures,”

The UCAS data showed strong demand from international students outside the EU despite the pandemic, with applicants rising by 17% to reach a record 85,610.

Nick Hillman, the head of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said: “The warmer approach from the government towards international students is having a positive effect on demand, particularly from India, which is long overdue.”