Proud student nurse mum calls on others to follow her Clearing path
A mum-of-three is urging others to apply for nursing through Clearing, after transforming her life by joining the University of Bradford’s Adult Nursing course.
Bethany Higgins, 31, had spent years working as a healthcare assistant in a GP practice, juggling part-time hours and family life. But last August, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
She said: “This time last year I felt stuck in a rut, craving a new direction in life. I was a busy mum-of-three working part-time on minimum wage as a healthcare assistant in a GP practice.
“I loved interacting with patients and helping them to improve their health but wanted to be able to do more.
“Having worked for the NHS since I was 18, I always wanted to be a nurse. I didn’t think I’d be able to manage a full-time course around childcare, cope financially or academically as I hadn’t done any form of study in years.
“One evening I saw Clearing places were available at the University of Bradford and requested more information. Two weeks later, with the help of some supportive staff, I had secured my place as a student nurse.
“Bradford is my local university and I feel proud and privileged to be wearing my uniform caring for, empowering, and looking after the people in my local area.”
Places on Nursing programmes are available at the University of Bradford through Clearing. Images credit: Bethany Higgins/University of Bradford
What you can study at Bradford
Places are available for nursing programmes at the University of Bradford through Clearing for this September.
With a newly-validated curriculum earning seven commendations from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Bradford is setting a new benchmark in nursing education.
The University of Bradford offers undergraduate Nursing programmes such as BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, MNurse (Adult/Mental Health), MNurse (Children’s/Mental Health), BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children’s), BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health).
The University has teamed up with the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and the Mid-Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust to offer a Harrogate Pathway and an off-site nursing school and degree programme at Dewsbury and District Hospital for BSc Nursing (Adult) students. With 50 per cent of the programme spent in practice, students gain hands-on experience in real clinical settings.
Global career
Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford, said: “Nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession with associated scale of opportunity.
“As a registered nurse, you can work in the NHS, in private settings, in charities, local authorities and beyond. The diverse skillset of a nurse makes you highly employable.
“Nursing can offer a global career, with British nurses in high demand around the world.”
The University of Bradford runs a host of different nursing programmes. Images credit: Bethany Higgins/University of Bradford
Find out more about Nursing
People interested in studying nursing can meet University staff at a series of events, held at The Broadway shopping centre, Bradford, on August 18 and 19, at White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds, on August 18 and 19, Bradford Royal Infirmary’s (BRI) main concourse on August 22, The Broadway careers event on August 26 and at the restaurant area at Airedale General Hospital on August 26 and 27, from 10:00 to 16:00 on each date.
Award winners
The University of Bradford and New Vision Bradford/Waythrough have won a Student Nursing Times 2025 award for Partnership of the Year for an innovative drug overdose training programme.
The University became the first in the country to begin training all its student nurses in the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication which can reverse overdoses caused by opiates.
Healthcare students at Bradford can receive a training grant of £5,000 a year in funding as part of the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Student Bethany Higgins who secured a place on the University of Bradford’s Adult Nursing programme after going through Clearing in August 2024. Images credit: Bethany Higgins/University of Bradford
Clearing call
Clearing 2025 runs until October 20, offering prospective students the chance to secure a place at University. Prospective students may include those taking all Level 3 qualifications (this year or last), or mature students who want to return to education.
The University of Bradford is offering a range of services this year, including its Clearing Community Pass, which includes webinars, a dedicated phone line and SMS and email updates.
Its call-lines – 08081 969129 – and self-apply form are open now. The self-apply link is also available on the Clearing website
You can use Clearing if you have changed your mind about what or where you want to study, received higher or lower grades than you expected or haven’t yet applied to study at University for September 2025.
Undergraduate Bursary Scheme
The University of Bradford is committed to helping students from all backgrounds access higher education.
In the 2025/2026 academic year, the University will be offering a cash bursary to all home undergraduate students whose family incomes are under £40,000 a year.
The University will automatically identify eligible students using information from the Student Loans Company, there is no need for prospective students to apply to the University directly.
Students who are studying for a second degree are not eligible, unless the course is health-based and eligible for additional student finance funding.
Go to bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/undergraduate-bursary-scheme-2025-26 for more information.
Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Bradford. Images credit: Bethany Higgins/University of Bradford