Nursing Studies BSc



This programme builds on a prior nursing qualification to help you develop the necessary competencies for potential NMC registration.

Course overview

Each academic year starts in September and is divided into three trimesters. This full-time programme consists of six compulsory modules in total, such that three modules are offered per trimester. You can complete the course of study either in nine months or one year, depending on your admission time during the academic year. A September start involves studying over two consecutive trimesters, which allows you to complete the programme in nine months. A January start translates to two trimesters of study separated by a three-month break in the middle, which extends the programme duration to one year.
 
During the course of your study, you will be required to have a student visa and to stay in Edinburgh. All applicants must be qualified nurses, be registered with the appropriate in-country regulatory body, and have current nursing experience. You must also take an approved English language test. For more information, please check the entry requirements below.
 
Upon joining the programme, students will be allocated advanced standing based on existing qualifications or education. Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. However, please note that competition for places varies from year to year, and you are not automatically guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum entry requirements.
 
An online, self-directed module is offered before commencing the programme. This module is designed to help you develop essential academic skills, introduce you to our teaching approaches, and offer you an opportunity for self-assessment. It is free of charge and available on the VLE community space. Applicants may contact the programme leader for further information.
 
Upon completion of the programme, students will have the option to attempt parts one & two of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) test of competence. The NMC test of competence is not part of this programme. The onus is thus on individual students to pursue the NMC test and registration, if they wish to work as Registered Nurses in the UK. However, the programme will help prepare you for this process.
 
Next start date is January 2027.
 

 

Female nursing student talking to a patient

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

1 years

Course details

ENU always aims to be recognised as an ambitious, innovative, and inclusive university. At the ENU School of Health and Social Care, we aspire to provide an excellent personalised student experience. We are dedicated to creating learning environments that are supportive of diverse student needs and backgrounds, while being simultaneously engaging and academically challenging. We want every student who completes a course at our school to feel confident, knowledgeable, skilled, and proud of their achievement.
 
The BSc Nursing Studies curriculum has been designed with the aim of equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required for contemporary nursing practice. Topics included are leadership, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, ethics in nursing practice, and health promotion. The programme supports your development through a range of learning opportunities, and prepares you for the UK nursing registration process, including the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
 
Guided by the ENhance Curriculum Framework’s principle of student-centred education, the programme places a strong emphasis on employability, global perspectives, inclusion, sustainability, and the integration of research and practice.
 
To support your transition into the programme, a structured orientation and induction process is embedded throughout the course, alongside support for academic skills, digital and information technology skills, and numeracy.
 
If you hold a diploma in nursing from countries outside the UK and are registered as a practising nurse, this programme will enable you to deepen your knowledge of evidence-based practice and develop a critical approach to integrated healthcare where you can effectively apply theory to your own nursing practice. You will gain theoretical and practical nursing skills that will prepare you to provide excellent person-centred nursing care within the UK healthcare system. Through a combination of classroom-based lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions in our simulation and clinical skills centre, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary nursing practice in the UK.
 
Should you choose to also complete the NMC registration process following the successful completion of this course, you will be able to work as a Registered Nurse in the UK.

If you wish to become registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), you will have the additional cost of both part 1 and part 2 of the NMC’s test of competence.

Course academics

You will be supported while studying by the Programme Leader, Dr  Leila El-Alti

Dr Leila El-Alti is a lecturer on four programmes at the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University. She has dual nursing and philosophy training, and has a doctoral degree in practical philosophy with a focus on healthcare ethics, person-centred care, mental illness, and patient capacities. She previously worked as a Registered Nurse in intensive care and palliative care in Beirut, Lebanon. Before joining Napier in 2022, she worked at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden where she also completed her doctoral studies. She is a member of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research interests include philosophy and ethics of birth, obstetric violence, phenomenology, clinical decision-making, and healthcare provision.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    This full-time course will take either nine months or one year to complete, and will be structured with the aim of helping you develop the necessary knowledge and skills for contemporary UK nursing practice.

     The modules within the programme are offered through blended learning, which combines technological education tools with on-campus teaching. You will learn through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, guest lectures, tutorials, seminars, clinical skills classes, discussions, and independent study.
     
    Learning activities within all modules have been created to encourage in-depth rather than surface learning. As an adult learner, you will be responsible for your learning through actively engaging with module contents and fulfilling course requirements. Nonetheless, throughout your time on the programme, you will have continuous support and guidance from ENU academic staff whose commitment to teaching is unmatched.

    Your cognitive skills will be developed through tutorial exercises, group work, class discussions, case studies, and academic writing, while you clinical skills will be strengthened through practice in our Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre.

     

  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Modules are designed to incorporate different assessment strategies which ensure that you remain on track with your studies and help us evaluate your achievement of the set learning outcomes. Typically, only summative (final) assessments are marked while formative assessments, class activities, and peer feedback exercises are not. However, these will significantly contribute to your learning process and help you improve your work for the final assessment. Assessment formats may include reports, portfolios, essays, presentations, posters, group discussions, and clinical assessments.

  • briefcase

    Work placement

    Since this programme is intended for international students who are already qualified nurses in their home countries, there will be no clinical placements arranged for students and no opportunities for studying abroad. The course will instead focus on deepening students’ understanding of evidence-based practice and developing their academic and critical thinking skills.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    Since this is a short programme which requires students to stay in Edinburgh during their course time, there will be no opportunities for studying abroa
  • library

    Facilities

    Classes will be held at our modern Sighthill Campus on the west side of Edinburgh. The campus is home to the School of Health and Social Care.
    Our state-of-the-art Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre will enhance your learning throughout this programme. Featuring a range of clinically realistic learning areas, the skills centre enables real work learning and hands-on practice to develop a wide range of clinical skills. You will utilise equipment used in clinical practice and have the opportunity to practice nursing skills in a safe learning environment.
    The campus also offers a large library and numerous lecture theatres and classrooms, as well as the Student Sports Centre at ENgage, a canteen, and cafés.

Popular modules

All six modules are compulsory:

  • Effective Leadership in Healthcare
  • Healthy Lives
  • Advancing Practice Through Research
  • Management of Chronic Diseases
  • Introduction to Ethics in Nursing
  • Preparation for Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

 

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

This course of study can be completed either in nine months or one year, depending on your admission time during the academic year.
Competition for places varies from year to year and you are not automatically guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum entry requirements.
 
On entering the programme, students will be allocated advanced standing based on existing qualifications/education. Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students.

Next start date is January 2027.

The minimum entry requirements are as follows:
  • You are required to have a student visa and study on campus in Edinburgh.
  • All applicants must be qualified nurses (Diploma at SCQF Level 8 or equivalent).
  • In the instance that applicants do not meet the SCQF Level 8 entry requirement, applications will be considered where there is evidence of at least 1-year full time work experience as a registered nurse and evidence of continuing professional development.
  • An occupational reference will also be required to verify relevant clinical experience.
  • If your first language is not English, you will normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.

 

 

There is no equivalent to year one on this programme
There is no equivalent to year two on this programme

This is a one-year full-time programme at the equivalent level to year 3 in our pre-registration Nursing programmes. You must already have a current registration to practice as a general nurse with a recognised nursing regulatory body in your country of nursing practice, have a diploma in Nursing or successfully achieved at least 240 Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF) credits (or equivalent) in nursing of which a minimum of 120 credits are at SCQF level 8 (or equivalent).

In the instance that applicants do not meet the SCQF Level 8 entry requirement, an online SCQF Level 8 module will be a pre-requisite before commencing the programme.

Please note that successful completion of the SCQF Level 8 module will top-up internationally qualified nurses to the professional qualification level required for entry on to the BSc Nursing Studies (on-campus) programme. (The 20 credits for this online SCQF Level 8 module will not be counted as part of the BSc Nursing Studies programme final award.)

On entering the BSc Nursing Studies programme, students will be allocated advanced standing based on existing qualifications/education. Our entry requirements indicate the minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students.

You are required to have a student visa and stay in Edinburgh during the course of study.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £18,220 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


If you wish to become registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), you will have the additional cost of both part 1 and part 2 of the NMC’s test of competence.

Careers & employability

Nursing students grouped around a 'patient' mannequin

What can you do with an academic degree in nursing?

This full-time programme builds on your current nursing qualifications and experience to enable you to attain a BSc in Nursing Studies award. The programme helps you develop the competencies necessary to sit the separate OSCE examinations required by the NMC in order become registered and work as a nurse in the UK.
  • Upon completion of the programme, students will have the option to attempt parts one & two of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) test of competence. The NMC test of competence is not part of this programme. The onus is thus on individual students to pursue the NMC test and registration, if they wish to work as Registered Nurses in the UK. However, the programme will help prepare you for this process.
  • If you wish to become registered with the NMC, you will need to pay the additional cost of both parts 1 & 2 of the NMC's test of competence.
  • Our course does not automatically lead to nursing registration with the NMC. If you pass the NMC’s test of competence, demonstrate your knowledge of English to be equivalent to IELTS 7.0, and meet the eligibility and qualification requirements, you would then be able to work as a Registered Nurse (adult care) in the UK. For more information, please check the NMC’s website.
 
What does nursing practice in the UK involve?
 
As a nurse in adult health, you will be a primary care provider for patients and help improve their quality of life while they overcome illness or injury. You will be expected to work both autonomously and as part of a team. As a Registered Nurse, you may work within the NHS, in the private sector, or in social care settings.

Roles and responsibilities may include:
  • Assessing a patients' health or medical condition.
  • Administer medicines, provide wound care, and help those with mobility issues maintain dignity.
  • Explain health conditions or medical diagnosis to your patients.
  • Provide life-saving medical support, such as CPR or assistance during surgery.
  • Provide the best palliative care and end-of-life support for patients.
  • Take part in research projects and present your findings to health directors, governmental bodies, and/or nursing students.

Adult Nursing student Fizza talking to a Lecturer Allison Woods.