London is England’s capital and the largest city in the United Kingdom. Florence Nightingale, who led a team of nurses to Turkey during the Crimean War in 1854, significantly influenced nursing in London. This event sparked women’s interest in the nursing profession, leading to the formation of the British Nursing Association in 1860.
The General Nursing Council established professional registration for nurses in 1919, and male nurses were allowed to join the professional registry in 1951. In 1860, St. Thomas Hospital in London opened the first nursing school, the Nightingale Training School. More hospitals opened nursing schools in the 1900s, and students provided free nursing care to these hospitals for two to three years. In 1986, under Project 2000, formal nursing education was transferred from hospital-based schools to colleges or universities.
Finally, in 2009, all nursing programs in the United Kingdom were made available at the degree level. Nursing education is available from three-year undergraduate to two- to five-year postgraduate levels throughout the country. The following universities and colleges provide the best nursing programs in the city. Let’s take a look at these prestigious nursing universities in London!
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in London
1. King’s College London
The nursing program at King’s College London‘s Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care was established in response to the growing global demand for such disciplines. The faculty is driven to provide healthcare professionals with a solid educational and research foundation to boost their confidence and competence.
KCL is also a recognized university for nursing in London and is known for delivering a high-quality nursing program in the city. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, it is the best nursing school in the United Kingdom and the second-best in the world in 2021. The faculty is affiliated with several agencies and institutions which provide quality education, opportunities, and research to its students.
The college contributes to national research and significant research programs in Asia and Africa, with funding from public and private research organizations. Moreover, its faculty has a growing international student body and has collaborated on education with Nanjing Health School in China, Ngee Ann Academy in Singapore, and Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE).
2. City, University of London
The City University of London is among the top nursing institutions in London. Known for its first-rate facilities at the city’s heart, the School of Health & Psychological Sciences’ Division of Nursing is a renowned education provider that stands out among other nursing schools’ excellent undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It was also ranked first for its nursing program in 2020 and 2021 based on student satisfaction ratings.
The division offers three undergraduate courses, four pre-registration programs, and other postgraduate taught and research programs. Nursing Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) and short courses are also available. The division provides laboratories, training centers, and simulators to better prepare its students for clinical placements.
It is also affiliated with several teaching hospitals in the city, which provides its students with exposure and experience in a broader context. Affiliated hospitals include Bart’s Health NHS Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East London NHS Foundation Trust, and Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
3. University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich is one of the best nursing schools in London. Founded in 1890, it has become one of the world’s top-performing universities. The institution has three campuses: Avery Hill and Greenwich in London and Medway in Kent, England. This higher education provider has an outstanding student body and cutting-edge facilities that improve the delivery and reception of learning. Its new simulation and clinical skills center prepares students for clinical placements while increasing their confidence and competence in practical skills.
Moreover, the University of Greenwich is affiliated with various NHS trusts in London and Kent for clinical placements of its students. All nursing programs are available at the Avery Hill campus. While there is no direct doctorate nursing program in this school, you can take a research degree or MPhil/PhD in Health Sciences, as it focuses on nursing and other fields, including the health and social care workforce, mental health, and more.
4. Kingston University
Kingston University is a prestigious university in the United Kingdom and a top school for nursing in London. It has four campuses: Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hill, Kingston School of Art, Knights Park, and Roehampton Vale. The Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, founded in 1996, offers various nursing programs.
Since its inception, the faculty has been a vital resource for nursing professionals, producing the majority of nursing graduates in the country. Practice placements for students are available in three ways: through affiliated NHS trusts, the community, and independent health organizations. Its graduates are expected to find work within six months of graduation.
Tuition for undergraduate and master’s programs usually differs. For instance, the MSc Adult Nursing costs £9,250 full-time for local students, while it costs £16,500 for international students. The tuition for the bachelor’s nursing program is the same as the graduate program. However, the tuition for out-of-resident students increases year after year for undergraduate programs, starting at £18,100 for their first year and rising to £19,600 in their third year
5. London South Bank University
The Institute of Health and Social Care at London South Bank University houses the School of Nursing and Midwifery. It’s among the leading nursing schools in the city, emphasizing hands-on education and distinguishing its students from others through their practical skills.
Its school usually covers a wide range of topics focusing on nursing and midwifery to help aspiring students become registered nurses or midwives, which are both rewarding and fulfilling professions. They can also complete a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing program for an honours degree and get registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils.
That’s also why the institution can be attributed to its special laboratories, which provide students with access to life-size mannequins, operating theater facilities, nursing skills labs, and a real-time labor ward.
If you want to start your journey to becoming a nurse, London is an ideal place to study this program. Not only does it feel rewarding to learn in the city where the famous Florence Nightingale inspired many to become a part of this profession, but you can also find most of the best nursing schools in London! So, choose among the universities listed above and become the nurse you want to be!
We hope this article on the best nursing schools in London was helpful. If you’re looking to study in the United Kingdom, make sure to check out the Study in the UK Page and the Available Programs in the UK for International Students.
