Degree, nursing associate role, direct entry or apprenticeship – find out what each one involves and how previous experience or skills may count towards entry

There are a variety of routes into nursing, from the traditional three-year degree to nurse apprenticeships and shorter courses for those who have already been to university or had previous experience of working in health and care.

Each route has its own challenges and benefits. So how do you work out what is right for you?

From degrees to apprenticeships – the different routes

The most common route by far is completing a three-year university undergraduate degree, although in Scotland it runs for four years with the option of condensing it into three. Students