The number of mature students accepted onto nursing courses has dropped by almost a quarter in three years, according to latest figures.
The data, published today by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), has also seen England become the only UK country to record a decline in students accepted onto nursing programmes this year – down 1% on 2023.
It shows that the overall number of students accepted onto nursing programmes across the UK in 2024 currently stands at 18,450 – up 1% on 2023.
UCAS has today revealed the first round of stats on the number of those accepted onto courses across the UK – with numbers expected to rise during the clearing process over the coming weeks.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned the figures showed nurse recruitment policy was ‘failing right in front of our eyes’ and called for urgent intervention from the government.
The data comes on A-level results day and amid an appeal from the chief nursing officer for England to encourage students to choose nursing through clearing.
Data shows some 13,870 people have been accepted onto nursing programmes in England for 2024 – down 1% on 2023 and down 20% on the 2021 peak during Covid.
Meanwhile, 2,960 students have been accepted in Scotland – up 4% on 2023 but down 14% on 2021.
Wales has seen some 980 students accepted for 2024 – up 22.5% on 2023 but down 9% on 2021.
And Northern Ireland has so far recorded 640 acceptances – the exact same as this time last year, but also down 10% on 2021.
Concerningly, the UK has seen an overall drop in mature students – those aged 21 and above – by almost a quarter (24%) since 2021 and by 4% since 2023.
Figures show there were 9,980 mature students accepted onto nursing programmes across the UK in 2024, compared to 13,140 in 2021 and 10,370 in 2023.
The RCN said there had been a ‘devastating collapse’ in mature nursing students, adding that the profession is ‘much more reliant on mature students for recruitment in comparison to other degree courses’.
The college has today reiterated its calls for ministers to urgently intervene and introduce financial incentives for nursing students to boost recruitment in the short, medium, and long-term.
This must include government-funded nursing degrees, and the introduction of universal living maintenance grants, it added.
Executive director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said: ‘Every student accepted onto a nursing course today is starting the journey towards an incredible and fulfilling career, but the reality is we need many, many more to do the same.’
She added: ‘Nurse recruitment policy is failing right in front of our eyes and a workforce crisis is deepening.
‘Ministers must introduce proper financial incentives to make nursing a more viable option for students.’
Ms Marquis reiterated concerns around the decline in mature students joining the profession and added: ‘Their rich life experiences make them ideal for nursing, but they are being put off by massive debt and a system that provides little financial support for people who often have caring duties of their own.’
‘The demand for health and care services is growing and the needs of patients are getting more complex,’ she said.
‘The new government’s promise of change must include changing the way we recruit into our profession.’
