From Barcelona to Bradford: Student secures nursing place through Clearing on holiday
A woman who went through Clearing for a nursing programme at the University of Bradford while on holiday has encouraged others to follow in her footsteps.
Chance Ismail, 26, was in Barcelona with her sister in August 2025 when she decided to initially contact UCAS for a place on the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) programme at the University of Bradford. Following an interview, Chance started the course the following month.
During her first year of studies, Chance completed a six-week placement, including 12-and-a-half hour shifts, on Airedale General Hospital’s female surgical ward.
She said: “I have really enjoyed my first year at Bradford. I really enjoyed the placements. They have helped made it all real.
“This time last year, I went through Clearing while I was on holiday. I was in Barcelona and I had just been out clubbing. I definitely knew what I wanted to do. I went through the UCAS Clearing website.
“I heard from the University of Bradford while I was still on holiday. Clearing was a quick and easy process. Once I decided to do it, it was really easy. I wanted to come to Bradford to study.”
Chance Ismail has just completed her first year studying Adult Nursing at the University of Bradford after going through Clearing. Images credit: Chance Ismail
Carer to nurse
After she completed her college studies aged 18, Chance decided to work and held several jobs including in sales, at McDonald’s, and as a receptionist.
She worked as a carer in a home for four years, and then as a senior care worker at another site, including during the Covid pandemic.
Chance said: “It was very upsetting watching some of the service users not being able to see their families. Some of them were very lonely. It was hard work being a carer in a home during the pandemic, but I did enjoy it.”
A meeting with two nurses while working in a care home convinced Chance to apply for Bradford’s Adult Nursing programme which she began in September 2025.
Chance had this advice for anyone looking to study Adult Nursing at Bradford through Clearing: “It’s a very easy process. If you really want it, just go for it.”
Chance Ismail has just completed her first year studying Adult Nursing at the University of Bradford after going through Clearing. Images credit: Chance Ismail
What you can study at Bradford
Places are available for nursing programmes at the University of Bradford, particularly on the Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing programmes, and MNurse routes which allow students to be dual qualified, through Clearing for this September.
People can take their first step towards studying for a career in nursing through Clearing by meeting University of Bradford staff at a city shopping centre.
Anyone interested in studying nursing can meet University staff at The Broadway shopping centre, Bradford, on Saturday 22 August, from 10:00 to 16:00.
Award-winning and pioneering nursing programmes at Bradford give students the chance to study in on campus facilities including a nursing clinical practice room, which is a mock hospital ward.
The University has also won the Student Nursing Times Awards’ Partnership of the Year category for two successive years.
This year’s award recognised the University’s Student Supported Services Model, a collaboration with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, developing student supported services that expand placements, support staff, and enhance patient care.
All University of Bradford student nurses have received training on how to use naloxone, a life-saving medication which can reverse overdoses caused by opiates, since September 2023 – which was a University first.
The training is being delivered in partnership with New Vision Bradford, which is commissioned to deliver drug and alcohol treatment in the area.
Clearing call
Nursing programmes at the University of Bradford are available through Clearing 2026, which runs until 9 October, offering prospective students the chance to secure a place at University. Prospective students may include adult learners who want to return to education.
The University of Bradford Clearing phone line – 0808 196 9129 – is open now and you can apply online.
Sign up for the University’s On-demand Clearing Hub which offers more details on courses, virtual tours, applications tips, and further support.