The World Health Organisation projects a shortfall of over 4.5 million nurses and 310,000 midwives by 2030 — a total health worker gap of 4.8 million, concentrated in Africa, South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean and parts of Latin America.
The response is visible in the numbers. Registered nursing in the US is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, producing roughly 194,500 job openings a year. The UK's NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to raise adult nursing training places by 92%, to nearly 38,000 by 2031/32. For an international student, that is about as clear a demand signal as any field offers.
What Draws Students to Nursing Abroad
- Workforce demand. Both the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics project faster-than-average job growth through 2032.
- Advanced training environments. Modern facilities, simulation labs and evidence-based clinical practice in Australia, Canada and the UK.
- Global credentials. Eligibility to sit NCLEX in the US, register with the NMC in the UK, or achieve AHPRA registration in Australia.
- Permanent residency pathways. Canada and Australia both prioritise qualified nurses in skilled migration.
- Strong return on investment. Graduates from reputable international institutions report competitive starting salaries and durable long-term prospects.
Types of Nursing Courses
BSc Nursing (undergraduate)
- Duration
- 3–4 years standard, or 12–24 months accelerated for holders of a prior non-nursing degree
- Who Applies
- School leavers, and career changers on the accelerated tracks
Master's / MSc Nursing
- Duration
- 2 years full time, or 18–36 months
- Who Applies
- Registered nurses seeking specialisation or leadership roles
RN-to-BSN and bridging programmes
- Duration
- 1–2 years, varying by programme
- Who Applies
- Registered nurses with a diploma or associate degree upgrading to a bachelor's
Diplomas and specialist certificates
- Duration
- 12 months part time, up to 2 years
- Who Applies
- Working nurses and allied professionals moving into midwifery, mental health or informatics
Best Countries to Study Nursing
Demand is global, and some systems depend on it openly — roughly 25% of registered nurses in Canada are immigrants.
Canada
- Nursing Stream
- BScN, or accelerated BScN with extensive practicum
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- PGWP of up to 3 years as an open work permit. Demand is high, and about a quarter of Canadian nurses are immigrants
UK
- Nursing Stream
- Three-year BSc nursing programmes approved by the NMC
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- Full NMC registration via the degree and OSCE, with eligibility for the Health and Care Visa
Australia
- Nursing Stream
- Direct RN BSc, or the Outcomes-Based Assessment pathway including NCLEX-RN and OSCE
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- Temporary Skilled visas (subclass 482) leading to PR. Accelerated registration for UK, US and Canadian graduates
USA
- Nursing Stream
- BScN plus NCLEX-RN licensure
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- Requires a VisaScreen certificate and employer sponsorship for an immigrant work visa such as EB-3, which leads to permanent residency
New Zealand
- Nursing Stream
- Bachelor-level nursing with a clinical focus
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- Registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand required; eligible for a Post Study Work Visa
Ireland
- Nursing Stream
- Bachelor-level nursing with a strong clinical focus
- Post-Study Work Rights and Licensure
- NMBI registration mandatory. Eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit with a job offer, leading to residency
Students targeting Australia should read the official AHPRA registration and Outcomes-Based Assessment guidance before applying.
Top Universities for Nursing
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, USA
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #1
King's College London London, UK
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #2
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, USA
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #3
University of Toronto Toronto, Canada
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #4
Duke University Durham, USA
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #5
National University of Singapore Singapore
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- =#6
Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- =#6
Columbia University New York, USA
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #8
University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #9
University of Manchester Manchester, UK
- QS 2026 — Nursing
- #10
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate — BSc Nursing
- Academic: 10+2 in the science stream, with Biology compulsory
- GPA: a stated minimum — the University of Iowa, for instance, requires 2.50 on a 4.00 scale
- Documents: secondary school certificate, official transcripts or consolidated marksheets, English proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS Academic) where required, plus health clearance and immunisation records
Postgraduate — MSN or MSc Nursing
- Academic: a BSN or equivalent diploma. Entry-level MSN routes accept any bachelor's degree plus prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and statistics
- GPA: cumulative 3.0 or above
- Licence: an RN licence, or the ability to obtain one before enrolment
- Documents: bachelor's transcripts, Statement of Purpose, CV including clinical experience, 2–3 Letters of Recommendation, IELTS Academic 7.0+ or TOEFL iBT 87+, evidence of nursing registration, and prerequisite transcripts if your degree was in another field
Tuition Fees and Living Costs
Canada
- UG Tuition (annual)
- CA $36,100 average
- PG Tuition (annual)
- CA $21,100 average
- Living Cost for Visa
- CA $23,448 per year
UK
- UG Tuition (annual)
- £14,000 – £35,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- £10,000 – £40,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- £1,570 a month in London
- £1,203 a month outside London, for up to 9 months
Australia
- UG Tuition (annual)
- AU $20,000 – $45,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- AU $35,000 – $55,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- AU $29,710 per year
USA
- UG Tuition (annual)
- US $20,000 – $55,000, varying widely by institution type
- PG Tuition (annual)
- US $15,000 – $50,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- US $10,000 – $25,000 per year, as required for the I-20
New Zealand
- UG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $25,000 – $45,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- NZ $32,000 – $67,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- NZ $20,000 per year
Ireland
- UG Tuition (annual)
- €10,000 – €30,000
- PG Tuition (annual)
- €10,000 – €35,000
- Living Cost for Visa
- €10,000 per year for courses over 8 months
Licensure is what makes a nursing degree portable
NCLEX, NMC, AHPRA and NMBI each have their own route and timeline. We will map yours before you choose a country.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
University of Toronto International Awards Canada
- Eligibility
- International undergraduate and postgraduate students on academic merit; criteria vary by award
- Coverage
- From entrance awards of around CA $10,000 in the first year through to partial or full tuition
Florence Nightingale Leadership Grants UK
- Eligibility
- NMC-registered nurses and midwives at Band 5 or above, nominated by the Chief Nurse, for leadership development
- Coverage
- Covers participation in the leadership programme — not general degree tuition
Chevening Scholarship, Healthcare Stream UK Government
- Eligibility
- Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries with two years of work experience, accepted to a UK master's in health or nursing
- Coverage
- Full tuition, living allowance and travel
Canada Graduate Scholarships — Master's Government of Canada
- Eligibility
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents accepted to a research-based master's in nursing or health
- Coverage
- CA $17,500 over 12 months
FNF International Leadership Programmes Florence Nightingale Foundation, UK
- Eligibility
- Internationally educated nurses and midwives with relevant experience
- Coverage
- Varies — programme fees and leadership training resources
Careers and Salaries
Registered Nurse
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $77,600 – $120,000
- Licensing
- NCLEX-RN plus State Board of Nursing licensure
Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $71,000 – $101,500
- Licensing
- NCLEX-RN and state APRN licensure, usually with national certification in the speciality
Public Health Nurse
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $61,000 – $89,500
- Licensing
- NCLEX-RN and state RN licence; optional ANCC Public Health Nurse certification
Certified Nurse-Midwife
- Annual Salary (USA)
- US $98,000 – $170,500
- Licensing
- NCLEX-RN and AMCB certification, plus state licensure
Nursing abroad offers long-term job security, licensure that travels, and structured immigration pathways in most major destinations. Few degrees combine those three things as reliably.
Canada and Australia. Both prioritise qualified nurses in skilled migration, and Canada's PGWP gives up to three years of open work rights straight after graduation.
For the USA and Canada, yes. Australia accepts NCLEX-RN as part of the Outcomes-Based Assessment pathway. The UK uses NMC registration and an OSCE instead.
For undergraduate entry you need 10+2 science with Biology. For postgraduate, entry-level MSN routes accept any bachelor's degree plus prerequisites in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and statistics.
12–24 months, and it is open to people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another subject. It is intensive but it is the fastest route into the profession.
