A COLLEGE has seen a surge in demand for its healthcare and nursing courses during the coronavirus pandemic.

Eastleigh College claims that a third more school-leavers are applying for its range of Health and Social Care courses.

The surge in demand for the Level 2 and Level 3 courses is being attributed to the pandemic and comes as UK universities also report an increase in the amount of healthcare course applications being submitted.

Figures from the university admissions service, UCAS show that there were 60,130 applicants for nursing by the main deadline on January 29, an increase of 32 percent.

The number of school-leavers opting for nursing also increased by 27 percent from last year to a record 16,560.

Lou Gittens, Vice Principal of Curriculum at Eastleigh College, puts the increase down to the emotive stories the profession has shared through the media since the start of the pandemic.

She said: “It may be, in part, that healthcare is seen as a ‘safe’ career, but I think it is more than that.

“Far from putting school pupils off, the pandemic appears to have truly inspired the next generation of nursing and healthcare professionals.

“Students who achieved healthcare qualifications at Eastleigh College last year have taken a variety of different career paths.

"Some moved directly into working in the sector after leaving college, while many chose to start nursing degrees or nursing degree apprenticeships.”

The government says it is now "another step closer" to delivering 50,000 more nurses to the NHS by 2025.

Molly Morris, studied level 3 Health & Social Care at Eastleigh College before starting a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship with University Hospital Southampton last summer.

Molly said: “I already knew I wanted to be a nurse, but the coronavirus situation made me even more passionate and excited to work in the healthcare sector.

"The pandemic has been eye-opening, but not made me rethink my career choice.”

Eastleigh College also offers a "Pathway to Nursing" course in partnership with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.