Applications to study nursing in UK plummet by 16%

The number of people applying for undergraduate nursing courses in the UK has dropped by 16% since last year, final data for the 2023 intake shows.

Concerningly, applications to study in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all dropped below pre-pandemic levels.

Nurse leaders from across the UK have warned that the figures published today by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) should cause “real concern” for devolved governments.

The data revealed that, as of 30 June, 43,920 people applied to be student nurses this year, compared to 52,150 in 2022 (-16%).

This sharp decline maintains the trend that application levels are slowly moving back towards pre-pandemic levels, following a record year in 2021 for new applicants during the coronavirus pandemic.

Breaking down the data across the UK, every country of provider had a decrease in applicants compared to 2022, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland saw numbers drop to below pre-pandemic levels.

When broken down by nation, Wales saw the largest drop, with over one fifth (21%) fewer nursing applications. The country recorded 3,330 applicants for nursing courses, compared to 4,200 the previous year.

Providers in Scotland also saw a sharp decrease, as the number of applicants decreased by 19% – from 7,930 in June 2022 to 6,450 in June 2023.

Meanwhile in England the number of applicants decreased by 16% compared last year, from 43,170 to 36,400.

Lastly, Northern Ireland’s providers saw the number of applicants decrease by 17% compared to 2022, with 2,410 applicants compared to 2,910 the previous year.

"We are seeing this failure to invest in the workforce of today is putting off the nurses of tomorrow" - Pat Cullen

Applications to nursing courses fell in all age groups apart from the 17 and under group, which stayed the same as last year.

The data also showed that international student recruitment declined, with 6% fewer applicants in 2023, but remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.

In terms of gender, the number of female applicants decreased by 17% compared to 2022 and has fallen to near pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, the number of male applicants decreased by 8% compared to 2022 but remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Responding to the figures, the general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Pat Cullen, said: “It is deeply concerning to see the number of people applying to study nursing falling again – a clear result of the way the profession has been treated by those in power.”

Ms Cullen warned that the nursing workforce remained “in crisis” with thousands leaving the profession every year.

“Now we are seeing this failure to invest in the workforce of today is putting off the nurses of tomorrow,” she said.

The UCAS data comes just two weeks after the NHS Long Term Workforce plan pledged to increase the number of nursing training places in England by 34% to 40,000 by 2028-29 and 53,858 (80%) by 2031-32.

However, Ms Cullen warned that the figures today "shows the task ahead will be even harder than expected as less people are applying now".

She added: “Urgent action is needed now, or university places will go unfulfilled, vacant posts will remain empty and patient care will continue to be at risk."

Meanwhile, Helen Whyley, director for RCN Wales, said it was “bitterly disappointing” to see such a sharp decrease in applications for nursing across the country.

She said: “At a time when health and care services are facing significant pressures, we need an expansion of the nursing workforce, and to get that nursing must be seen as an attractive and sustainable career choice to students.

“There needs to be an emphasis not only on fair pay and flexible working arrangements, but also on career progression opportunities and continued professional development in keeping with modern ways of living.”

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland director, echoed this, and warned that the prospect of starting a degree course during a cost of living crisis was “bound to be having an impact” on the number of people applying to study nursing.

He added: “This significant drop in applications to nursing courses in Scotland is a real cause for concern amid the stubbornly high registered nurse vacancy rates and ongoing workforce challenges which are compromising patient safety and the wellbeing of staff.

"The Scottish Government needs to demonstrate that nursing is valued and a career choice worth pursuing.”