Nursing applications have risen by almost a third this year at the University of Bradford THE University of Bradford has said it has seen applications for nursing degrees go up by a third, with the efforts of the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic inspiring more people to pursue a career in the health service. It said applications in 2021 have gone up by 32 per cent from 2020, and said the Covid-19 pandemic and also innovative teaching at the university are the drivers behind the increase. It comes as nationally nursing applications have also increased by 32 per cent, with tens of thousands of school leavers and mature students deciding a career in the NHS is for them.