Responding to the latest UCAS data on applicants to nursing courses in England, Executive Director of RCN England, Patricia Marquis, said: 
 
“A slight rise in the number of people applying to study nursing is a step in the right direction. But it’s overshadowed by skyrocketing demand for the NHS and ever more complex patient needs, with almost two in three nursing staff saying staffing is below what’s needed. The investment must be there to make sure these students graduate and that there are jobs for them when they do.
 
“Nursing is an incredible career, but students are today facing grim poverty during study and on average 21% drop out every year. After they graduate, they are left to service unsustainable debts that only ever grow no matter how much they pay back. Better financial support for current students is desperately needed and the failed student debt system must be replaced with loan forgiveness for all those who go on to staff our health and care services.
 
“This is all against the backdrop of a crisis in education that is seeing courses threatened with closure and nurse educators facing redundancy. Just last week we heard that public funding for nursing courses in England, already one of the lowest funded of any health subject, is being cut even further. Nursing is an outstanding profession that can provide a lifelong career with so many exciting and varied paths, but the prime minister must make resolving this crisis a priority or risk the number of nursing staff joining the profession falling short of the demands of patient care and services for years to come.”
 
Ends
 
Notes to editors

According to UCAS data for the 2026 cycle, 30 June deadline, the number of applicants to nursing courses, at this point in the year, in England has increased from 33,450 in 2025, to 34,780 in 2026.

 

2026 cycle applicant figures – 30 June deadline | UCAS