Applications to UK nursing programmes are down by more than a quarter in the last three years, latest data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has shown.
Figures published today show a continuing decline in the number of nursing applicants in the UK since a peak of interest during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
Some 41,540 individuals have applied to UK nursing courses so far – down 5% on last year and down 27% since 2021.
The data – which is based on those who have applied before the 30 June deadline – has seen a decline in applications in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, but an increase in Wales. Further applications can and are likely to be made in the clearing process post-exam results.
In England, some there has been 33,560 applicants – down 8% on 2023 and down 27% since the 2021 peak.
Scotland has seen a 6% drop since last year, with 6,040 applicants. Starkly, this is also down 33% since 2021 when there were more than 9,000.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland has seen a 4% decline over the past year – with 2,320 applicants. This was also a 26% decline on 2021 figures.
More positively, Wales has recorded a 16% increase in applicants over the last year, with 3,870 recorded. But this was still down 19% on 2021.
In terms of age groups, those aged 18 continue to account for most of the applications (10,950) across the UK, closely followed by those aged 35 and over (9,660).
Figures appear to suggest that applicants who are aged 18 to 24 are steady and in some of these age groups have increased slightly over the past year.
However, a pattern of decline appears to be seen for mature students.
The number of applicants aged 35 and over was down 11% in a year, while the number of those aged 30-34 was down 13%. A 15% drop was also seen among those aged 25-29.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has today warned that without ‘urgent and significant intervention’ from the new government, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will not be realised.
The plan, published last year, committed to several significant expansions of the NHS workforce, including increasing the total number of nursing and midwifery training places to 58,000 by 2031-32.
But according to analysis by the RCN, the plan is ‘way off target’ and is 7,000 nursing students short for the upcoming academic year.
Despite recognising there will be a further opportunity for applications post-exam results, the college said it ‘looks almost impossible’ that the target will be reached.
In response to today’s data release, the RCN has renewed its calls for the return of government-funded nursing degrees and the introduction of maintenance grants.
RCN general secretary and chief executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: ‘Nursing is a wonderful and rewarding profession, but huge debt and financial insecurity are putting off the next generation.
‘Investment in nursing education means more nurses in our health and care settings. This is key to making the nation healthier and getting people back into the economy.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Training and retaining talented NHS staff is absolutely central to our mission of rebuilding a health service that is fit for the future.
‘This government will end the workforce crisis across both health and social care by creating thousands more training places every year, and we will work with UCAS across the clearing cycle so everyone who wants to pursue a healthcare career has the right support to do so.’
