What is a Short Course in Nursing?

part of Medicine & Health

Nursing is a vocational subject. This means the study approach of a Nursing Bachelor’s or Master’s degree will have a more practice-oriented focus. You will learn how to take care of sick people and comfort them throughout their recovery period. This means advising them on the best health choices, administering prescribed medication, and taking care of their overall well-being.

You can normally choose to study in one of the four main nursing fields: adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disability nursing or mental health nursing. As a student nurse, you will have the option to specialise in two of these four fields, if you choose to. You will learn general medical practices and how you should treat a person suffering from an illness. To be successful in a nursing job, you will also need to develop soft skills such as empathy and cooperation.

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing will help you become a nurse in one of the four main fields mentioned above, a paramedic, or a physician associate. In time, you can use your experience to take up a more demanding position, such as chief/head nurse, and thus manage and train your own team of nurses.

Short Courses in Nursing in United Kingdom
19 Results
Nursing

6,674 EUR / year
1 year, 4 months
It is essential for nurses to continue their professional development through further learning. This 100% online and part-time PG Dip Nursing from University of Essex Online is designed to help you gain the key knowledge and skills to improve your nursing practice.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
University of Essex Online
University of Essex Online
Online
Featured
Nursing

4,450 EUR / full
8 months
Are you keen to take your nursing career to a higher level? This 100% online and part-time Nursing short course from University of Essex Online is designed for practicing nurses who want to continue their professional development.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
University of Essex Online
University of Essex Online
Online
Featured
Anaesthetic Practice (Online)

2,998 EUR / year
1 year
Anaesthetic Practice (Online) at University of Derby is the first course in the UK to offer an online programme for nurses intending to train to become anaesthetic nurses. This innovative approach benefits both staff working in perioperative environments and employers managing acute care settings.

Advanced Diploma / Part-time / Online
University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL)
University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL)
Online
Featured
Public Health and Nursing

35 EUR / module
3 months
On Public Health and Nursing at FutureLearn you’ll comprehensively explore how nurses can contribute to positive public health promotion and reform, inspired by the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
FutureLearn
FutureLearn
Online
Featured

Return to Practice (Nursing)

2,201 EUR / full
2 months
In this Return to Practice (Nursing) course from City, University of London you will examine the current evidence base for nursing practice and refresh both your clinical and reflective skills.

Short Course / Full-time / On Campus
City, University of London
London, England, United Kingdom
Introduction to Child Development

143 EUR / full
½ year
Introduction to Child Development from Institute of Psychoanalysis is an introduction to Psychoanalytic theories of Child Development.

Certificate / Part-time / Online
Institute of Psychoanalysis
Online
Perioperative Advances in Safe and Effective Patient Care

2,750 EUR / year
1 year
Perioperative Advances in Safe and Effective Patient Care at Anglia Ruskin University is a Level 6 course which will help to enhance your existing clinical knowledge and competence, and contribute towards your continuing professional development.

Short Course / Full-time / On Campus
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Prescribing for Nurses – Independent and Supplementary (V300) (Level 6)

Tuition unknown
8 months
Are you an experienced practising nurse looking to improve the care you provide for your patients, and qualify as an independent and supplementary nurse prescriber? If so, this Prescribing for Nurses – Independent and Supplementary (V300) (Level 6) course from University of Portsmouth is ideal.

Short Course / Part-time / On Campus
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Newborn & Infant Physical Examination

2,750 EUR / full
½ year
Focus on the specialist knowledge and skills required to competently undertake thorough examinations of newborns or infants in practice with this Newborn & Infant Physical Examination course at Anglia Ruskin University.

Short Course / Full-time / On Campus
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Tropical Nursing

2,141 EUR / full
21 days
Tropical Nursing from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills and competencies of health care professionals working in low and middle-income resource settings.

Advanced Diploma / Full-time / Blended
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Nursing in Crisis – Exploring Current Challenges

Free
14 days
Explore the key issues affecting nurses’ job satisfaction and practice today – from stress to changing roles and healthcare need with Nursing in Crisis – Exploring Current Challenges at Coventry University by FutureLearn.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
FutureLearn
Online
Improving Health Assessments for People with an Intellectual Disability

Tuition unknown
1 month
Learn how to improve healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities with the Improving Health Assessments for People with an Intellectual Disability course of Trinity College Dublin designed for healthcare professionals.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
Trinity College Dublin
Online
Quality Improvements in Maternal and Newborn Health

1,303 EUR / full
14 days
Quality Improvements in Maternal and Newborn Health from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine aims to equip you with a knowledgeable and critical understanding of the concept of quality of care in maternal and newborn health (MNH) and practical skills for improving quality and managing change in their own workplace.

Certificate / Full-time / On Campus
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia

66 EUR / full
21 days
Understand the needs of people with dementia, and how to better support them and enhance their wellbeing towards the end of life with this End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia course offered by FutureLearn in partnership with the University of East Anglia!

Certificate / Part-time / Online
FutureLearn
Online
Prescribing for Nurses – Independent and Supplementary (V300) (Level 6-7)

Tuition unknown
8 months
Are you an experienced practising nurse looking to improve the care you provide for your patients, and qualify as an independent and supplementary nurse prescriber? If so, this Prescribing for Nurses – Independent and Supplementary (V300) (Level 6-7) course from University of Portsmouth is ideal.

Short Course / Part-time / On Campus
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Community Formulary Prescribing V150

1,375 EUR / full
Duration unknown
If you’re a registered Community Formulary Prescribing V150 at Anglia Ruskin University and don’t hold a specialist practitioner qualification, this course will prepare you to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary (NPF) for Community Practitioners.

Short Course / Full-time / On Campus
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Nanny – UK

949 EUR / full
½ year
Would you like to know how to become a nanny? Take the Nanny – UK course at International Career Institute (ICI) – UK as stepping stone rewarding work in the home-based childcare industry.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
International Career Institute (ICI) – UK
Online
Nursing and Patient Care Assisting – UK

1,187 EUR / full
7 months
The field of Nursing and Patient Care Assisting is a rewarding career for those who wish to work in profession that gives back to those who need it most. This Nursing and Patient Care Assisting – UK course is offered at International Career Institute (ICI) – UK .

Short Course / Part-time / Online
International Career Institute (ICI) – UK
Online
Dental Assistant – UK

949 EUR / full
½ year
The Dental Assistant – UK course from International Career Institute (ICI) – UK provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from very successful, highly qualified and experienced professionals.

Short Course / Part-time / Online
International Career Institute (ICI) – UK
Online
Showing 1 – 19 of 19

Nursing is a degree course that teaches the students the skills required to promote the health and safety of the ill, the disabled, and the elderly group of the society. Nurses are the backbone of the medical industry. Here are some of the reasons why international students should pursue nursing courses in Canada

• 10 nursing colleges in Canada rank in the top 100 nursing colleges globally, in the QS World Rankings of 2022.
• Nursing jobs in Canada are expected to rise by 3.4% by 2035.
• The number of internationally educated nurses has grown by 7.8%, representing almost 8.5% of the total Canadian registered nurses population.
• The average annual salary for nursing jobs in Canada starts from 104,000 CAD and can go up as high as 201,000 CAD.
• According to Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, the number of graduates in nursing who registered for studying in Canada has increased by almost 30% in the 2007-2017 stretch.

Globally Ranked Nursing Colleges in Canada

There are around 67 nursing colleges in Canada offering degrees at bachelor, graduate, and doctorate levels. University of Toronto and University of British Columbia are two top-ranking colleges that do not offer direct bachelor entry to nursing courses for international students. 

Some of the top-ranking colleges and the courses offered have been listed down below:

University	QS Ranking 2020	Courses offered
University of Toronto	26	Bachelor, master, and Ph.D. course
McMaster University	140	4 bachelor, 3 graduate diploma, a master course
McGill University	=27	2bachelor, 9 masters, 4 graduate diploma, Ph.D. courses
University of Alberta	23	2 bachelor, 2 masters, Ph.D. courses
University of British Columbia	46	Bachelor, master courses
Western University	170	Bachelor Course
Queen’s University at Kingston	=240	2 bachelor, 2 master, 2 PhD courses
University of Calgary	235	Bachelor, 4 masters, certificate, diploma, PhD courses

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Degree Types and Specializations

Nursing colleges in Canada offer around 140 courses in different degree levels and different specializations. At the bachelor level, Bachelor in Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor in Science (BSc) degree is offered. 

At the graduate level, Master in Science in Nursing (M.S.N), Master in Applied Science in Nursing (MASc) and graduate certificate and graduate diploma degrees are offered. A Ph.D. in Nursing is offered after completion of the doctorate program. There are various specializations international students can choose from according to their interests. 

Here are some of the specializations:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Practical Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Community Mental Health
• General Nursing
• Nursing Administration
• Mental Health Nursing Practitioner
• Global Health
• Midwifery

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Undergraduate Programs

Colleges for nursing in Canada offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree as a regular degree or as an accelerated degree. A regular BSN degree takes 4 years to complete the course whereas, in an accelerated degree, the course duration is 2 years. 

At the bachelor level, the program mainly focuses on the protection of health by prevention and treatment of illness. Hence, clinical practice is a very important part of bachelor in nursing in Canada. 

Here are some of the universities offering bachelors degree in nursing:

University	Course offered	Duration	Yearly Fees in CAD
McMaster University	Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N]	4	24,277
Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N] (Accelerated)	2	24,277
Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] Midwifery	4	24,277
McGill University	Bachelor of Nursing (integrated)	5	36,561
Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N]	3	31,794
University of Alberta	Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N] Registered Psychiatric Nurse	2	20,250
Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N]	4	20,250
Western University	Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N]	4	23,281
Queen’s University at Kingston	Bachelor Nursing Science	4	17,358
Bachelor Nursing Science (Accelerated Standing Track)	4	17,358

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Eligibility for Bachelors

Bachelor in nursing in Canada is offered with various specializations and various degree types. The eligibility criteria depend on the course and the university. But there are some minimum basic criteria that international students need to have to apply for any course. The minimum basic criteria common to most universities have been listed down below:

• A 12 grade level of education with a minimum of 65%.
• Some universities demand English and Mathematics and some science courses at the 12-grade level
• Completion of a mandatory CASPer Test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics).
• Language Proficiency tests (IELTS– a minimum overall band of 6.5, TOEFL– a minimum of 80 )

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Documents Required for Bachelors 

• Official transcripts and language test scores.
• CASPer Test document
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Statement of Purpose

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Fees for Bachelors

The tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in nursing colleges in Canada range from 52,000 CAD to 169,000 CAD (total program fees).

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Graduate Programs

Nursing colleges in Canada offer a master’s degree as a normal MSc course or a research-based MSN course. It is usually a 2-year program. Some universities offer graduate diploma and graduate certificate courses on various specializations in nursing which usually takes 1 year to complete. 

There are more than 20 universities offering masters in nursing in Canada. Some of them have been tabulated below:

Universities	Course Offered	Duration	Annual fees in CAD
University of Toronto	Master of Nursing [M.N]	3	39,967
McMaster University	Master of Science in Nursing [M.S.N]	2	12,820
Graduate Diploma Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner	1	8,547
Graduate Diploma Neonatal Nursing – Advanced	2	8,547
McGill University	Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] Nursing – Advanced Clinical Practice	2	13,583
Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] Nursing – Mental Health Nurse Practitioner	2	13,583
Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] Nursing – Neonatology Nurse Practitioner	2	13,583
Master of Applied Science [M.ASc] Nursing – Nursing Services Administration	2	13,583
University of Alberta	Master of Nursing [M.N]	2	7,100
Master of Nursing [M.N]	2	7,875
University of British Columbia	Master of Science in Nursing [M.S.N]	2	6,714
Queen’s University at Kingston	Master Nursing Science	2	41,343

Read How to write SOP for MS in Canada

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Eligibility for Masters

To study masters in Nursing colleges in Canada, international students should fulfill some academic criteria as mentioned by the university. For students from non-EU backgrounds, they need to provide an English language proficiency test (IELTS, TOEFL) score.

Here are some of the general admission requirements usually demanded by most nursing colleges in Canada:

• 4 years of a bachelor’s degree
• Most universities want 1 year of clinical experience
• Language Proficiency Exams in Canada (IELTS- a minimum of 6.5, TOEFL- minimum 90)

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Documents Required for Masters

• Official Transcripts of all the previous academic qualifications
• Language Test Scores
• A verified clear criminal record certificate
• A valid nursing license for practice in Canada
• 2-3 Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume 

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Fees for Masters

• The tuition fees for masters in nursing in Canada can be as low as 6,200 CAD in the University of British Columbia to around 40,000 CAD per year at the University of Toronto.
• The average fee is around 37,000 CAD for one year of a master’s program.

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Doctoral Programs

Ph.D. courses in Nursing in Canada is usually a 4-year course. It prepares Certified nurses to contribute to the field through research. A Ph.D. degree is necessary if the student wants to gain leadership roles in the field or wants to work for research labs for the betterment of the community. 

Some of the colleges offering Ph.D. degree are:

University	Course Offered	Duration in years	Annual Fees in CAD
University of Toronto	Ph.D. in Nursing Science	5	4,657
McGill University	Ph.D. in Nursing	4	11,570
University of Alberta	Ph.D. in Nursing	4	7,100
Dalhousie University	Ph.D. in Nursing	4	6,105

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Eligibility for Ph.D. 

In order to pursue a Ph.D. in Nursing in Canada, international students need to satisfy the following minimum requirements: 

• Complete a graduate and master’s degree in Nursing or in a relative field with a first-class degree. (75% or higher)
• GRE scores. ( minimum score depends on the university and the course)
• Language Proficiency Test scores (IELTS – a minimum overall band of 6.5, TOEFL- minimum score of 90)

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Documents Required for PhD 

• Official transcripts of the previous degrees attained
• GRE and language test scores
• Resume
• Research paper ( if any)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Fees for Ph.D. 

The average tuition fees for a Ph.D. course in Nursing in Canada range from 10,000-20,000 CAD per year.

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Scholarships Available 

Nursing is one of the top demanded jobs in Canada due to the difference in demand and supply in the industry which is almost 13,200 by 2026 according to job banks Canada. To meet this deficiency of registered nurses in Canada, the Canadian Government has introduced some policies and scholarships for international students in Canada to pursue this discipline. 

The universities are also providing various scholarships for international students to pursue nursing in Canada. Some of these scholarships and their details are below:

Scholarship	Awarding Committee	Award (in CAD)
The Class of 1966 Nursing Scholarship	McMaster University	1,000
The Lori Scott Nursing Scholarship	McMaster University	5,000
F.A. Davis Nursing Undergraduate Scholarship	McGill University	1,500
Susan Nelles Scholarship	Queen’s University	Varies
BN Nursing Scholarship	University of Calgary	1,500
School of Nursing Scholarship	University of Ottawa	1,000
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships	Government of Canada	50,000 per year (taxable)
General Entrance Award program for Prospective undergraduate students	Dalhousie University	Varies
Aramark Leadership Awards	Dalhousie University	4000
National Overseas Scholarship	Government of India	20,290

Nursing Colleges in Canada: Jobs and Salaries

 To practice nursing in Canada, international students would have to get a license from the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). There are separate licenses for the different states in Canada. 

How to get a license for practicing Nursing in Canada?

In Canada, the nursing profession is self-regulated – the provincial and territorial nursing bodies regulate the practice of nursing to best serve the interests of the public. So you need to get a license for the province you are willing to work in.

The requirements for licensure are decided by the provincial bodies. In order to get the license, you will have to sit for the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination which is a national level examination, except for Quebec, which has its own examination. The CNA administers the exam three times per year and can be taken as many times as a student wants. 

After getting the license, students will be able to apply for jobs in Canada. Below are some important job roles and their average salary range:

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (in CAD)
Psychiatric Nurse	44,160- 88,320
Critical Care Nurse supervisor	40,320- 96,000
Nurse Practitioner- Adult care	42,240 – 1,15,000
Nursing Professor	38,400 – 1,45,920
Nurse- Midwife	42,240 – 1,15,000
Nurse Team Leader	40,320- 96,000
Family Nurse Practitioner	42,240 – 1,15,000
Clinical Informatics Specialist	44,160- 88,320
Clinical Research Manager	38,4000 – 1,01,760
Mental Health Nurse	44,160- 88,320
Licensed practical nurse	38,4000 – 63,360

• Salaries of Registered Nurses (RNs) licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) range from about $40,000 to $80,000 depending on location, education and level of responsibility.
• According to job bank Canada, over the period 2017-2026, new job openings for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are expected to total 157,100, while 143,900 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.
• Employment growth in the nursing industry in Canada is expected to be among the highest of all occupations, accounting for more than 40% of all job openings
• It is expected that immigration nurse practitioners will account for around 40% of the job opening in the country.
• According to Statistica, the total number of employed nurses in registered nursing in Canada in 2008 stood over 261,000, but by 2018, it increased to around 287,000.

Nursing degree in Canada is profitable for an international student as the return on investment is high.Due to the demand in the nursing industry, students can get placed just after their graduation. A registered nurse in Canada earns around 142,000 CAD in Canada annually.