BSc Nursing*
This three-year BSc Nursing course will prepare you to become a confident, compassionate, and critically thinking nurse, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities required for a successful and rewarding career in healthcare. On completion, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Adult Nurse.
You will engage in practice learning experiences (PLEs) in a variety of healthcare settings, supported by experienced clinical mentors and academic staff. These PLEs will allow you to apply theory to practice and develop the confidence to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care.
This course allows you to graduate and become a qualified nurse within only three years, rather than the four years required for the Master of Nursing or BSc (Hons) Nursing. The entry requirements are lower for this route, so applicants may be eligible for this who are not eligible for either of the other routes. You will qualify with an Ordinary Degree at SCQF Level 9, whereas the BSc (Hons) Nursing awards an Honours Degree at SCQF Level 10, and the MNurse awards a Master’s degree at SCQF Level 11.
*Subject to validation
Why QMU?
- Accelerated route to a nursing degree: Complete your degree in three years while meeting all NMC requirements for theory and practice hours.
- Practice-Focused: Gain extensive clinical experience through diverse practice learning experiences (PLEs) across NHS and community settings.
- Learning and teaching methods to help prepare you for practice: Active Learning: Engage in simulation-based education, critical inquiry, and reflective practice to prepare for real-world challenges.
- You will be career-ready: Graduate with the skills, confidence, and professional registration to work as an Adult Nurse in the UK and internationally.
- Specialist facilities to enhance your learning: Your theoretical learning will be complemented with practice in our Clinical Simulation Suite.
- Supportive learning environment: Small classes mean you will benefit from individual support from our highly experienced course team.
Studying Nursing at QMU
This course is designed in line with the NMC Standards for Future Nurse Education (2023) and is underpinned by person-centred and humanistic values. It focuses on four integrated themes developed across the three years:
- Applied Biosciences for Nursing Practice
- Theories and Art of Nursing
- Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Active Learning Community and Preparation for Professional Registration
On completion of the course, you will be able to register with the NMC and practice as a nurse.
On this course you will:
- become confident to deliver safe, effective and person-centred nursing care;
- become part of a community of learners, working collaboratively with lecturers, clinical staff, service users and other students on a transformational journey towards registration;
- actively engage in creative and critical ways of working and learning including approaches such as critical inquiry, reflection, contemplation, simulation and practice learning experiences; and
- carry out invaluable practice learning experiences (PLEs) that will enrich your learning.
Structure
This is a three-year BSc degree course. On completion you will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a registered Adult Nurse.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Our aim in developing this course has been to use a range of creative ways of teaching and learning to promote self-development and the skills for interacting with others. You will be facilitated to learn in lectures, seminars, practical laboratories and have practice learning experiences. Outside of timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning through self-study.
We encourage you to complement your theoretical learning by participating in opportunities, such as volunteering, which could be done in the summer break.
We aim to include creative ways of assessment such as practical and written exams, assignments and group work.
Placements (Practice Learning Experience)
A Practice Learning Experience (PLE) is offered each year. PLEs provide the opportunity to integrate theory and practice by working directly with people in whichever setting they are.
PLEs can be in a variety of settings such as the community area, a hospital or care home. These may be in the Lothians and Borders. Edinburgh Napier University manages the sourcing of PLEs for each student on this course. Lecturing staff at QMU manage the allocation of PLEs.
The teams are always looking at widening opportunities for students and we are increasing the variety of available PLEs. Opportunities to work with specialist research nurses are being developed.
To enhance future employability PLEs take place across the south-east region of Scotland. It is therefore likely that you will have to relocate for at least some of your practice-based learning unless you have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean you must remain in a specific location.
Please note that there are additional costs associated with placements. Please see the ‘Other fees’ section under the ‘Entry requirements’ tab for more details.
Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables
You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.
For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.
The course is currently in development. Module information will be added here once confirmed.
This course will give you the confidence and expertise you need to succeed in the field of nursing that you choose. Your professional and graduate prospects will be excellent. You will have a diverse range of career options in the UK and overseas.
QMU nursing graduates are working in a range of diverse clinical practice settings, for example, acute medical and surgical areas, long term, community and rehabilitation contexts. Many have forged careers outside of the traditional hospital setting by working in the Armed Forces, in research, leadership and education roles. You can also advance your nursing career through postgraduate studies, although postgraduate courses typically require some time in practice first.
Successful completion leads to eligibility to register (Registered Nurse {Adult}) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council) NMC.
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher: Standard - BBC Minimum - BCC
A Level: BB/CDD
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3
International Baccalaureate: 24 points
International: IELTS of 7.0 (with no component below 7.0 for reading, speaking and listening, and 6.5 for writing)
Required subjects: It would be preferred that all combinations of qualifications include a science and discursive subject at the higher level such as Scottish Higher or A Level. Applicants without this, must have achieved National 5 English and a Science subject at grade C or above. Maths is also required at National 5 C or above or equivalent. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.
Mature/Access: Applicants with Access qualifications must demonstrate a strong academic profile. We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant experience and qualifications. More information on related Access courses.
Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.
Direct Entry:
Applicants with prior learning (eg HNC Healthcare Practice or equivalent) may be considered for advanced standing, subject to:
- Evidence of 120 SCQF Level 7 credits
- Completion of required bridging modules (eg asynchronous Biosciences module and Study Skills module)
- Evidence of 600 practice learning hours, but applications will be considered on an individual basis
For further details of related HNC and HND courses, visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page.
Other requirements
- You will be offered immunisation against Hepatitis B.
- A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
- The NMC requires you to complete a declaration of good health and good character each year.
- Applications will be required to participate in a selection event as part of the application process.
Disability/health conditions
If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the Disability Service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.
Fee information
Fees: Please follow the link in the 'Course Overview' box for information on fees for 2026 entry.
Other costs:
- The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student.
- The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
- Uniform, PVG and badge costs.
For more information on other costs, please visit the UG 2026 fees page.
Application information
How to apply: Application for this course should be made through UCAS. More application information is available in the 'Start your Application' box at the top right of this page.
QMU
- The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2026/27 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
- The course is currently in development and subject to internal validation and Nursing and Midwifery Council approval. Information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Oct 2025) but may differ slightly for 2026 entry following full validation. Please check back here for updates.
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Images: The images below are of our Clinical Simulation Suite where our Nursing students prepare for practice.




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