Study Nursing

Bachelor of Nursing / BNurs / BCur, 4 years (NQF 8), plus 1 year compulsory community service

Pay in South AfricaR390–460ka year · typical R420k Work abroad4.0 of 5best: United Kingdom, Ireland AI outlookSteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Getting inMediumcompetition for places · 4 years + 1 year compulsory community service

R44 100 to R82 000 first-year fees 6 bursaries list Nursing

School subjects: Maths required at some universitiesPhysical Sciences required at some universitiesLife Sciences required at some universitiesPhysical Sciences or Life Sciences requiredMaths Literacy accepted at some institutions

Entry details and typical minimums

English at 50-60% at most schools; some universities also want a second language. Among the universities we cover that offer nursing, UJ requires both Physical Sciences and Life Sciences; Stellenbosch, UKZN and UP require Life Sciences; and NWU, UFS and Wits accept either.

Typical minimums: NWU (2027): APS 25, Mathematics or Maths Literacy at level 4 (50%), Physical Sciences or Life Sciences at level 4, and the language of tuition (English or Afrikaans) at level 4. UWC accepts Maths Lit at 70% instead of Maths at 50%. UKZN quotes APS 30. Varies widely.

Sources: NWU Faculty of Health Sciences 2027 admission requirements (Bachelor of Nursing) · University of Pretoria BNurs programme page · UJ 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, p.68 (Bachelor of Nursing: Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science level 4) · UP Faculty Brochure Health Sciences 2027, p.6 (Bachelor of Nursing Science: Life Sciences, not Physical Sciences)

Pay

Yearly gross pay, turned into rand at the exchange rate. The dot is the typical figure. How pay is measured

USAR1.4–2.0m
AustraliaR940k–1.3m
NetherlandsR1.1–1.4m
CanadaR970k–1.3m
GermanyR1.0–1.2m
UKR860k–1.2m
IrelandR770k–1.1m
New ZealandR810k–1.1m
UAER700k–1.1m^~
South AfricaR390–450k

~ limited evidence

Working abroad 4.0 of 5

Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.

AI outlook

SteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Physical care, constant human contact and a licence. AI reduces paperwork but cannot do the bedside work.

Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable

How AI changes each field

Careers

Professional nurse (registered nurse)
Midwife
ICU or theatre nurse
Community health nurse
Nurse manager
Occupational health nurse

Where to study 7

First-year tuition, as published. My Matric Map can check your results against each of these. Tap a university for its entry requirements and dates. Compare study costs

WitsBachelor of Nursing (BNurs) · 2027 intakeR63 120
UPBachelor of Nursing Science · 2027 intakeR73 000–
R82 000
StellenboschBachelor of Nursing · 2027 intakeR78 663
UJBachelor of Nursing (B9N02Q) · 2027 intakeR44 100–
R60 960
UKZNBachelor of Nursing (KN-H-BN1, Howard College) · 2027 intakeR45 551
NWUBachelor of Nursing · 2027 intakeR56 396
UFSBachelor of Nursing (B Nursing), academic plan BC849000 · 2027 intakeR55 080

Country by country: steps, exams, visas and pay sources

Four-year degree leading to registration as a professional nurse and midwife. The most exportable SA health qualification: every rich country is short of nurses, but nearly all make you sit exams first.

Professional regulator: South African Nursing Council (SANC)

Where it can take you

Nursing → New Zealand

Overall 4/5 · Good prospects

An online theory exam you can sit in SA, then a 10-station OSCE in Christchurch. Nursing is a Green List role.

Recognition: 3/5 · Exams or bridging. Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Demand: High demand

Sources: Nursing Council of NZ: internationally qualified nurses · Nursing Council of NZ: Nursing Council requirements (TruMerit verification; at least 1,800 hours of post-registration practice) · NCNZ competence assessment process · Immigration NZ Green List roles · INZ Operational Manual, Appendix 13 - Green List (effective 23/03/2026): Registered Nurses 254412-254499 in Tier 1

Qualification and licensing guide

Pay, in rand at the exchange rate

Typical gross pay in each country, turned into rand at the exchange rate. Compare salaries switches between the exchange rate, buying power and after tax, and says how each works.

United States R1.4–2.0m4.1× SA

Australia R940k–1.3m3.1× SA

Netherlands R1.1–1.4m3.0× SA

Canada R970k–1.3m^*2.7× SA

Germany R1.0–1.2m2.6× SA

United Kingdom R860k–1.2m2.4× SA

Ireland R770k–1.1m2.3× SA

New Zealand R810k–1.1m2.2× SA

United Arab Emirates R700k–1.1m^*2.1× SA

South Africa R390–450k

South Africa · line: the South African figure · pay range · starting pay · hover or tap a bar for details · gross pay a year, low to high estimate; the bar ends at the typical figure · * weaker figure

Country	Typical gross pay	Range and starting pay	Occupation and source
South Africa	ZAR 422 400 Middle of the pay scale, as gross pay 2026	ZAR 389 900 to 455 000 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix B · Converted to gross like the typical figure. PUBLIC, basic notch x 13/12 (13th cheque) + housing allowance (excl. employer pension). Prof Nurse Gr 1 General, 12 half-notches; confirmed by circular 31/2026 adverts. Starting ZAR 303 500 During the compulsory 1-year community service, straight after the 4-year nursing degree/diploma, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix B · CS notch R280,119 x 13/12; housing not added (fixed-term post). After CS, PN Gr 1 entry = R389,900 gross.	Professional Nurse Grade 1 (General Nursing), OSD for Nurses (Appendix B, PERSAL 298/299) DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026) · Gross pay: basic notch midpoint R367,376 x 13/12 (13th cheque) + R24,447 housing allowance; excludes employer pension and medical subsidy. PUBLIC-SECTOR. Scale quoted as basic notches; amounts below are as quoted. Gr 1 R337,359-R397,392. Private-sector cross-check: PayScale South Africa - Registered Nurse (n=725) median R283,500 (crowd-sourced, low confidence).
United Kingdom	GBP 43 078 Median 2025	GBP 36 596 to 50 629 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · SOC 223 Nursing professionals, full-time, April 2025. NHS Band 5-6 spans 32,073-48,117 from Apr 2026. Starting GBP 32 073 Newly registered nurse, NHS Band 5 entry, 2026 · NHS Employers: Agenda for Change pay scales from 1 April 2026 (England) · England, from 1 Apr 2026. Excludes unsocial-hours enhancements and London weighting.	SOC2020 223 Nursing professionals (minor group) ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · Median gross annual, full-time, April 2025. CV 1.0%. No separate 'registered nurse' unit group; 2237 Other nursing professionals is 42,300.
Ireland	EUR 47 379 Middle of the pay scale 2026	EUR 38 166 to 56 592 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · Staff Nurse 13-point scale, basic pay excl. premiums (same scale as typical). Senior Staff Nurse / CNM grades run higher. Starting EUR 38 166 Newly registered Staff Nurse, after the 4-year degree incl. paid internship, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 (point 1) · Point 1, basic pay. CSO HGO15: 2022 nursing graduates' median in 2023 EUR894/wk (~46,500) incl. premiums/overtime.	Staff Nurse (HSE grade 2135) HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · Midpoint of the staff nurse scale (EUR38,166-56,592, 13 points), basic salary excl. allowances/premiums. CSO: nursing/midwifery graduates median EUR53,210 in 2023 incl. premiums.
Netherlands	EUR 63 232 Median 2025	EUR 54 080 to 71 968 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep (p25/p75 gross hourly) · BRC 2014 1033 Verpleegkundigen (mbo), employees, 2025: p25 26.00/h, p75 34.60/h x2080, excl. holiday pay (as typical). Hbo/specialist nurses (1012): 30.90-39.40/h. Starting EUR 41 556 Newly qualified hbo-v nurse in a general hospital, FWG 50 entry (mbo nurses FWG 45: 3,228), 2026 · Cao Ziekenhuizen (NVZ): salarissen per functiegroep per 1 augustus 2026 · 3,463/mo for 36h x12, excl. 8% holiday, 8.33% year-end and ORT shift pay, so lower than CBS basis. Hbo-v grading (50 vs 55) varies by hospital. CBS hbo health grads 1 yr out: 25.93/h.	BRC 2014 1033 Verpleegkundigen (mbo) CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep · Median gross hourly x2080 (40h x52). Hourly excl. holiday pay, NL full-time ~36-38h; errors largely offset. Niveau-4 nurses. Specialist/hbo nurses (1012) 34.70/h = 72,176.
Germany	EUR 55 044 Median 2025	EUR 49 332 to 61 392 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BA Entgeltatlas (Beschaeftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025, Vollzeit, all ages, Germany · KldB 81302, monthly p25-p75 x12. Mostly 3-year vocational training, not a degree. Typical inside range. Starting EUR 42 124 Newly qualified registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/-mann), TVoeD-P P7 entry (Stufe 2; P7 has no Stufe 1), 2026 · TVoeD-P Entgelttabelle 2026 (valid 1 May 2026-31 Mar 2027) · Municipal hospitals; excludes shift/Pflegezulage (141.82/mo) and Jahressonderzahlung. P8 entry 3,701/mo.	KldB 2010 81302 Berufe in der Gesundheits- & Krankenpflege (ohne Spezialisierung) - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten BA Entgeltatlas (Beschäftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025 · Median monthly gross full-time x12. Employees in social insurance only (no self-employed/Beamte); capped at 8,050 EUR/mo. 3-year trained nurses, n=338,502. Fachkrankenpflege (81313) 5,057/mo.
United States	USD 97 550 Median 2025	USD 80 330 to 112 350 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national (via BLS Public Data API) · OEWS May 2025 national annual 25th/75th percentile for SOC 29-1141; p10 $68,940, p90 $137,470; not top-coded. Starting USD 83 200 1 year after a BSN (CIP 51.38, bachelor's), newly licensed RN, 2022 · College Scorecard field-of-study data (Jun 2026 release), EARN_MDN_1YR · Grad-weighted median of program medians, earnings 1 yr after completion (2018-20 grads, CY2020-21, 2022 $; working & not enrolled, incl. part-time). Large cohort (429k grads); nurses often work shifts/overtime.	29-1141 Registered Nurses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national · OEWS national median annual wage, May 2025.
Canada	CAD 90 002 Median 2024	CAD 75 670 to 104 000 25th to 75th percentile, 2024 · Job Bank wage data 2025 release (LFS 2023-2024), national quartiles · Job Bank Q1/Q3 hourly C$36.38/C$50 x2080, NOC 31301, LFS 2023-24. Low/high (~p10/p90): C$62,400/C$113,090. Starting CAD 80 243 Newly registered RN, start step of the hospital grid, Ontario, 2026 · ONA-OHA Hospital Central Collective Agreement, Price arbitration award 2025 (Ontario) · Start rate C$41.15/h from 1 Apr 2026 x1950 h (37.5-h week); x2080 = C$85,592. Grid tops at C$58.98/h after 8 yrs. Graduate survey BScN: C$86,000 (incl. overtime/premiums).	31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses Job Bank wage data (open data), Labour Force Survey · National median hourly wage C$43.27 x 2080 h. Job Bank/LFS reference period 2023-2024, published 19 Nov 2025.
Australia	AUD 113 984 Median 2025	AUD 81 468 to 114 379 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · NSW Health IB2026_018: Public Health System Nurses' and Midwives' (State) Award 2025, rates from 1 Jul 2026 · NSW RN 1st-8th year ($1,566.70-$2,199.60/wk x52). Typical (ABS median incl. penalties/overtime) sits near the top. Clinical nurse specialist grades run higher. Starting AUD 81 468 Newly registered nurse, RN 1st year, NSW public health system, 2026 · NSW Health IB2026_018, Registered Nurse 1st Year, from 1 Jul 2026 ($1,566.70/wk x52) · Base pay, NSW; excludes shift penalties. GOS 2025 nursing median 75,100.	Registered Nurses (ANZSCO 2544) ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report), via JSA Occupation Profiles · Median $2192/wk x52; FT non-managerial adult-rate employees, before tax. Covers all registered nurse specialisations.
New Zealand	NZD 91 179 Middle of the pay scale 2026	NZD 77 667 to 109 407 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · Health NZ / NZNO Nursing & Midwifery MECA, registered nurse scale RN1 (graduate) to RN7 (top step, 6+ years): $75,773-$106,739 (Health NZ NZNO Nursing Workforce Factsheet, July 2025) plus 2.5% from 2 Mar 2026 (MECA ratified 15 May 2026) · Rates from 2 Mar 2026, computed (75,773 x 1.025 and 106,739 x 1.025); Health NZ has not published the 2026 table. A further 2% from 2 Mar 2027. Senior/designated nurses run higher. Starting NZD 77 667 New graduate registered nurse, RN step 1 (Health NZ hospitals), 2026 · NZNO-Health NZ MECA: RN step 1 $75,773 plus 2.5% from 2 Mar 2026 (settlement ratified 15 May 2026) · Computed 75,773 x 1.025; published 2026 table not located. Excludes penal/shift allowances. Tahatu BN year-1 median income 71k.	Registered nurse Tahatu Career Navigator (Ministry of Education / Tertiary Education Commission careers service) · Published range $75,773-$106,739, most common $83,476-$98,959. Bounds are the Te Whatu Ora/NZNO registered nurse MECA scale (RN1 to RN7) before the 2.5% rise from 2 Mar 2026 in the MECA ratified 15 May 2026; this is about the middle of the pay scale.
United Arab Emirates	AED 186 000 Middle of the advertised range 2026	AED 144 000 to 228 000 salary survey range, 2026 · SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · low confidence · Same row as typical: Staff Nurse (RN) 2-5 yrs, AED 12k-19k/mth base x12, plus housing/transport. No newly-qualified RN row; govt nurse scales not published.	Staff Nurse (Registered Nurse), 2-5 years SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · Small recruiter guide, not official. AED 12,000-19,000/month base x12, plus accommodation or housing allowance, transport and flights. Govt nurse scales not published.

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-07.