Nursing in Dudley: Studying, working and living guide
Find out about nursing in Dudley - where nurses can find jobs, the hospitals they might work in, colleges & universities to study in, plus living information.
Dudley is a market town in the West Midlands. It is best known for its strong historical links to the coal, iron and limestone industries during the Industrial Revolution, and is part of what’s known as the ‘Black Country’.
It’s well located, being within touching distance of major cities like Birmingham and not too far from London. It’s also very affordable compared to much of the UK - making it an attractive choice for aspiring and experienced nurses.
So, for anyone interested in relocating their nursing career to Dudley, here’s a guide to everything you’ll need to know about the area.
Where do nurses work in Dudley?
As well as NHS practices and hospitals, there are many private hospitals and care homes throughout Dudley specialising in support for all adults and children.
They frequently post jobs for Nurses at varying levels of their career:
Russells Hall Hospital
Bushey Fields Hospital
Guest Outpatient Centre
Corbett Outpatient Centre in Stourbridge
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust provides many public sector employment opportunities in and around Dudley. There are also plenty of job opportunities in the private sector as well.
There are many more nursing jobs in nearby locations like Birmingham or Wolverhampton, too.
Where can aspiring nurses study in Dudley?
Anyone wishing to train to become a nurse in Dudley can study at Dudley College of Technology and choose one of their four nursing courses. These courses start in September.
Unfortunately there is no University in Dudley, however The University of Wolverhampton Is only a short distance from Dudley and offers a range of nursing courses and degree options. It has three campuses: Wolverhampton city campus, Walsall campus and Telford Campus.
Find our nursing university guide here.
According to Zoopla, the average monthly rental costs for students in Dudley are lower than the majority of the UK.
Where do nurses live in Dudley?
Here are the most popular locations in Dudley for nurses:
Central Dudley
Popular for all the amenities and access to transport
Brierley Hill
Offering access to The Merry Hill Shopping and Leisure Centre which is one of the largest retail parks in the UK
Halesowen
Close to the historic Leasowes Park and Halesowen Abbey
Coseley
Village north of Dudley with good transport links into Dudley itself as well as Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham
What are the living costs for nurses in Dudley?
Dudley is one of the more affordable places for nurses to live in the UK. Here is a broad guide to some of the costs:
The average price for a home in Dudley is currently £200,324 – far lower than the national average of £291,000.
The average rental price for a property in Dudley is £800 per month. But if you are merely looking to rent a room in a shared house, the average cost is just over £500 per a month.
Council tax costs vary a lot across the county. But many people across Dudley are in a Band B which currently means paying £1361 per a year – or just over £110 per month.
Other bills like shopping and utilities are at a similar level to the rest of the UK but eating out and entertainment compare favourably.
With affordable price points for both housing and things to do, Dudley is a fantastic place for getting the most out of your pay.
Is travel easy in Dudley?
Dudley is close to many major motorways including the M6, M5 and M54. The M40 is also close by connecting Dudley to London which is only a 2.5-hour drive away. Birmingham is a 25-minute drive via the M6 while Wolverhampton is just 20 minutes away.
Sandwell and Dudley Station offer direct train links to Wolverhampton and Birmingham – for onward journeys to most parts of the UK, meaning London is just over 2 hours by train.
Nearby Birmingham Airport also gives you easy access to international travel. It's fair to say that Dudley is well connected counties where you will never be too far from work or the other UK cities.
What to do in Dudley: walks, culture, nightlife and eating out
Dudley has lots of things to do in your valuable free time, and here are some of the highlights.
Culture and attractions
Dudley Zoo and Castle is a wonderful place to visit and is home to some of the world's rarest and most exotic animals. The castle occupies the same site and attracts visitors from all over the UK and beyond.
Himley Hall and Park offers 180 acres of landscaped parkland with a range of outdoor events throughout the year.
There are many fascinating art galleries and museums across Dudley to visit such as the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Museum and Stourbridge Glass Museum.
Dudley Town Football Club, part of the local West Midlands League, play their matches at Willenhall, but for Premier League football you have Wolverhampton and Birmingham nearby, boasting several well-known sides.
Nightlife and eating out
Dudley offers a wide range of choice in terms of bars and restaurants. Highlights include:
Essences of India- tasty dishes from an Indian heritage, with a wide range of awards
ll Michelangelo- popular Italian restaurant that’s loved by locals
The Summerhouse- great pub with the locals, known for good food, drinks and events
The Old Glasshouse- another award-winning independent restaurant
Put simply, you’re spoilt for choice.
What are the school options in Dudley?
Dudley offers a lot of choice when it comes to schools There are 78 primary schools, 19 secondary schools and 7 SEN schools in the area.
There are 20 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted in Dudley, so there’s plenty of great options.
As with any location, performances vary across the area. But overall, Dudley is a solid choice for anyone moving their family.
Population and demographics in Dudley
Here are some of the stand-out population and demographic facts in Dudley:
The population in Dudley is 323,000
It has a population density is 3,300 people per square mile - a relatively high density
Dudley is the second largest town in the UK
4% of Dudley’s population is unemployed – a lower rate than the UK average.
In summary: is Dudley a good place to be a nurse?
With an average salary of £35,000, nurses in Dudley can live really well, because it’s a genuinely affordable location. There’s plenty to do, whether you’re a student or a family, and it’s well located and connected to major cities too. And your salary will stretch quite far.
Here are a couple of examples:
As a Newly Registered Nurse on an NHS Band 5 salary, if you rented a room in a shared house, after bills and expenses you’d potentially have more than £1000 a month left. In London a Band 5 salary barely covers your bills
As a Band 6 Nurse, you would comfortably earn enough to afford a joint mortgage on an average-priced property - or a solo mortgage on a cheaper one
As a nursing student or experienced nurse in Dudley, you’ll have plenty to do - and most importantly, the money to actually do it.
