
Study nursing abroad
: We maximize your chance of getting admitted to your chosen universitiesThe smart alternative to applying direct for nursing degrees abroad and the easy way to find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations
Find your perfect nursing programs abroad
Find nursing programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.
Nursing degrees abroad
Nurses and healthcare professionals are always in high demand, all over the world. A degree in nursing will give the skills you need to look after the needs of patients, both physical and psychological. It is a key role that is an essential part of every country’s health service.
Many countries have a shortage of nurses, so your skills will be in high demand. Choosing to study nursing abroad means gaining access to world-class programs and giving yourself the best chance to reach your potential.


Nursing program structure
The structure, content and length of a nursing program will depend on the university and country you are studying in. It’s possible to become a registered nurse in two years in certain countries, and in others you’ll need to study for at least three years to qualify.
Many programs include hospital placements, where you’ll be able to work in a range of areas like surgery, accident and emergency, medicine and critical care.
You can spend up to 50% of your time in placement, and the rest of your learning will be made up of lectures, practical classes and independent study.
You’ll be assessed through written and practical exams, coursework and your performance while on placement.
If you are studying at bachelor’s level, you’ll learn the theory behind nursing, clinical skills and develop your understanding through teaching and hospital placements. Common modules and areas of study include:
- Foundations of nursing
- Person-centered nursing
- Communication skills
- Therapeutic approach and practice
- Global health issues
- Introduction to professional practice
- Research methods
- Healthcare sciences
- Medicine management
- Medicine management
- Practical nursing skills
Types of nursing degrees
There are several different specializations of nursing you can choose from that focus your studies in a certain area, and will shape your future career:
- Adult nursing
- Child nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Midwifery
Think about what area of nursing you want to go into when choosing which program you’d like to study.
Why study nursing abroad
Choosing to study nursing abroad means you can access some of the best programs from around the world and great career opportunities after graduation.
If you dream of working as a nurse in a certain country, studying and earning your degree there will make it much easier. Most nursing programs will be accredited in that country, and allow you to work there once you have the relevant work permit.
Studying abroad has many other benefits that make it a worthwhile experience. You’ll get to learn all about another culture, improve your language skills, make new friends from all over the world and get a fantastic education. Learn more about the benefits of studying abroad here.


Where to study nursing abroad
There’s plenty to think about when you’re deciding where you should study nursing abroad. Here’s some of the things that are worth considering to help you make your decision:
- Where you want to work
Studying in the same country you want to work in will make getting a nursing role much easier, so think about where you want to live after graduation.
- How quickly you want to qualify
The length of you studies can vary depending on the country you study in. For example, it’s possible to become a registered nurse in two years in the US, but it usually takes three years in the UK.
- Where you want to live
Think about things like the climate, culture and politics of where you want to live and study. Remember you’ll be living there for several years, so it needs to be somewhere you’ll be happy.
Here’s how you can choose where to study abroad.
Best countries to study nursing
If you want to attend one of the top nursing schools, then you could look to study in the US, or the UK. Not only do they have some of the best programs, but both these countries are in need of more nurses, so you’ll have strong career prospects if you choose to stay and work.
Other countries that offer well respected nursing programs include Canada and Australia. These countries offer degrees that are recognized all over the world, but you may need to do some additional courses and exams if you want to work in another country after graduation.
Best universities to study nursing
In order to find the best university to study nursing, there are several things you should think about outside of which are the highest ranked programs.
Make sure you look at the program curriculum and what else the university offers, and think about things like:
- What placements the program offers
- What teaching methods are used, for example, does the program involve more lectures or practical work?
- What the university offers outside the classroom, e.g. student clubs, sports and social activities
You can study nursing at universities, medical schools or specialist nursing schools and colleges from all over the world, so take your time to make the right decision for you.
How we maximize your chance of studying nursing abroad
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Nursing study abroad programs
Nursing programs are offered at several different levels, and qualifications can differ depending on what country you are studying in. For example:
- In the UK
You can study a BSc or BNurs at undergraduate level. These courses last three years full time and you qualify as a registered nurse when you graduate. You can also study an MNurs, which is four years and will earn you a master’s qualification.
- In the US and Canada
You can study an associate degree in nursing (ADN), which can take up to two years to complete. You can also study a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN), which takes four years. You can also convert an ADN to a bachelor’s by taking a two year RN to BSN program.
- In Australia and New Zealand
You can study a diploma of nursing, which lasts two years, or a three year bachelor of nursing which lasts three years. If you study a diploma you’ll qualify as an enrolled nurse, but you’ll qualify as a registered nurse if you study a bachelor’s degree.
It’s also possible to study master’s degrees in nursing, usually offered as an MSc and MSN. If you want to study at the highest level, many universities offer PhD in nursing. Many nurses that study a PhD do so part time over five or more years while working, with the aim of becoming a nurse researcher.
Nursing undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in nursing
-
Science in Nursing - BScN University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,576 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,274 CAD
- Start date
- September, January
-
Science In Psychiatric Nursing - BSc Brandon University, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,301 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,761 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Nursing - BScN Keyano College, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,758 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,658 CAD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Nursing - BScN (with foundation and placement) Brenau University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
31,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 31,000 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Nursing - BN University of Bridgeport, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
32,860 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,860 USD
- Start date
- August, January
Associate in nursing
-
Nursing - AAS-T Lake Washington Institute of Technology, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,635 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,635 USD
- Start date
- July, September, January, April
-
Licensed Vocational Nursing - ASc Cuesta College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,650 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,650 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Nursing - ASc Contra Costa College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,380 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,380 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Nursing - ADN South Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Nursing - ASc St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in nursing
-
Nursing - Integrated Dip/undefined Gordon Institute of TAFE, Australia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- -
- Duration
- 2 years
- 0 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,115 USD
Fee in university's local currency 17,013 AUD
- Start date
- October, February, April, July
-
Practical Nursing - Dip Sheridan College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,197 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,025 CAD
- Start date
- September, January, May
-
Practical Nursing - Dip Stenberg College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,207 USD
Fee in university's local currency 34,275 CAD
- Start date
- October, January, July
-
Practical Nursing - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 15 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,316 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,466 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Practical Nursing (Owen Sound Campus) - Dip Georgian College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 30 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,419 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,887 CAD
- Start date
- September
Certificate in nursing
-
Nursing: Vocational Nurse - Cert Cuesta College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,650 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,650 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) - Cert South Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Nursing Assistant-Certified - Cert North Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Practical Nursing - Cert St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Practical Nursing: Military Medic/Corpsman to LPN - Cert College of Southern Nevada, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,048 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,048 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
Pathway in nursing
-
Nursing (NMC registration) - FdSc Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,505 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP
- Start date
- September, February
-
Nursing Associate - FdSc University of Cumbria, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,835 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,572 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
RPN Bridge Semester into Nursing (Belleville Campus) - UGP Loyalist College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 6 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,557 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,500 CAD
- Start date
- May
Nursing graduate programs
Master's in nursing
-
Nursing (North Campus) - MHP Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,882 USD
Fee in university's local currency 38,002 NZD
- Start date
- February, July
-
Mechanical Engineering (Advanced Practice) - MSc Teesside University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 20 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,116 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,000 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
-
Business Administration and Nursing - Dual MBA/MSN University of Nebraska Omaha, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,374 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,374 USD
- Start date
- August, January, May
-
Nursing - MSc Ulster University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,660 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,840 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
-
Nursing - Thesis Stream - MNurs Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,504 USD
Fee in university's local currency 38,470 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
Doctorate in nursing
-
Nursing - DNP University of South Alabama, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 5 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,008 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,008 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Nursing - PhD RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,753 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 AUD
- Start date
- July, February
-
Nursing - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,202 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR
- Start date
- September, February, June
-
Nursing - PhD London South Bank University, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,023 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,780 GBP
- Start date
- September, October, January, February, April
-
Nursing Ethics - PhD Duquesne University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,211 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,211 USD
- Start date
- August, January, May
Diploma in nursing
-
Advanced Practice in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: High Intensity IAPT - PGDip University of Cumbria, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,232 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,050 GBP
- Start date
- January
-
Canadian Nursing (Co-op) - PGDip Stenberg College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 27 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,622 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,970 CAD
- Start date
- October, January, April, July
-
Nursing - PGDip University of Essex, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 16 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,281 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,482 GBP
- Start date
- September, February, June
-
Nursing: Adult (NMC Registration) - GDip Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,505 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP
- Start date
- September, February
-
Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - PGDip Ulster University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,648 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,840 GBP
- Start date
- September
Certificate in nursing
-
Adult-Gerontological Nursing Nurse Practitioner - PMAdvCert College of Staten Island, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,260 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,260 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Nursing/Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner - Dual MNurs/PGCert Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
- Program type
- Master's/Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,504 USD
Fee in university's local currency 38,470 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Nursing - PGCert University of Essex, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 8 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
4,643 USD
Fee in university's local currency 3,741 GBP
- Start date
- September, February, June

Entry requirements to study nursing abroad
To be accepted into a nursing program abroad, you’ll need to meet the university’s entry requirements. Although each university and program will have its own specific requirements, here is what you will probably need to study nursing:
To achieve the secondary education grades required for the nursing program (e.g. a GPA of 3.0 or higher, 3 Bs at A-Level, or an IB Diploma score of 34) A personal statement that outlines your interest in the nursing Good English language proficiency test scores Relevant academic references
Always check the entry requirements and carefully and make sure you can meet them before you apply. Here is more on how to study abroad.
Future nursing careers
Nursing is a truly vocational course, and if you achieve a degree it’s very likely you will go on to become a professional registered nurse. However, there are different nursing roles you can pursue, including:
- Registered nurse
- Mental health nurse
- Pediatric nurse
- Learning disability nurse
- Care worker
- Midwife
- Paramedic
If you know which nursing role you want to perform after graduation, make sure you choose a program that will help you achieve your aims.
