Are Nurses Underpaid in the UK Leading to Strikes? Understanding the Tuition Fees and Prospects of Nursing Courses in the UK

Hong Kong faces a growing shortage of medical and nursing personnel due to an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. However, the annual number of graduates from local programs still falls short of market needs. Therefore, for students aspiring to a career in nursing, studying nursing in the UK has become a viable option. However, low nurse salaries in the UK have been a recent social issue, prompting some individuals to consider returning to work in Hong Kong. Cyclopes introduces information on tuition fees for nursing courses in the UK for interested students and parents.

Source: Freepik

University nursing programs aim to develop students' comprehensive medical and healthcare knowledge, nursing management skills, teaching abilities, and research capabilities in nursing science. In the UK, nursing is not limited to Adult Nursing but encompasses several specialties, including Child Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing, and Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Nursing courses include clinical internships, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world environment and gain a deeper understanding of the duties and nature of nursing work. Nurses play a vital role in clinical treatment, providing basic treatment and care services, such as wound care and blood transfusions, based on doctors' diagnoses.

Additionally, nurses must learn to independently handle various matters, especially following up on patient needs and managing patients. Depending on career development choices, nurses may also have opportunities to engage in nursing management, teaching, and research, further expanding their professional fields and career paths.

The tuition fees for nursing courses in the UK are approximately HKD 250,000 to 300,000 per year, with programs typically lasting three years. Applicants for nursing courses in the UK need DSE scores of 444 to 554 (excluding Chinese, English, and Liberal Studies) and at least 7 points in the IELTS exam. Additionally, applicants must pass an interview where interviewers use situational questions to assess students' abilities and inclinations in various aspects, including adaptability, decision-making abilities, and professional ethics.

Source: Freepik

Given the recent low salaries for nurses in the UK (average salary in 2023 ranging from £33,000 to £37,000), leading to strikes and other social issues, graduates who do not intend to stay in the UK may consider returning to Hong Kong to practice. Graduates who have studied nursing in the UK and obtained nursing qualifications can apply to become registered nurses in Hong Kong. Students must complete a nursing program of at least three years and obtain professional certification from the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, nursing graduates must apply to The Nursing Council of Hong Kong (HKNC) to participate in the Licensing Examination for Registration. The licensing exam consists of two parts: a written test and a clinical test, and candidates must pass both parts to qualify as a nurse. Once approved to take the exam by HKNC, candidates must complete it within two years, with three attempts allowed for each of the two parts: written and clinical.

Regarding salaries for nurses in Hong Kong, the monthly salary range for registered nurses is HKD 20,035 to 42,545, while for registered nurses, it ranges from HKD 30,165 to 48,540, with a starting point of HKD 30,165 to 33,290.

According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, the top 10 UK universities for nursing include:

Due to the shortage of medical personnel in Hong Kong, studying nursing in the UK has become an attractive option. However, considering the recent issue of low nurse salaries in the UK, returning to Hong Kong after graduation may be a better choice. Understanding the tuition fees for nursing courses and the quality programs offered by various UK universities can help parents and students assess and weigh different study abroad options. For more information on studying in the UK, students are welcome to consult Cyclopes' professional UK educational consultancy team.