Nursing BSc
Course code: : B740 Adult Nursing; B760 Mental Health Nursing
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time.
Course type: BSc
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Centre for Rural Health Sciences (Inverness, Stornoway)
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at the local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally., You complete a work-based activity to gain industry experience.
Duration: Full time: 3 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.
What is special about this course?
Would you like to make a lasting impact on people's lives? Could you see yourself building a rewarding career that combines compassion, critical thinking, and practical skills?
Our BSc Nursing is your opportunity to make a real difference, every day. Train to become a registered Adult or Mental Health nurse while studying in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland. Gain the knowledge, confidence, and hands on experience needed to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council register and begin a career that supports people at every stage of life.
Develop your skills through innovative teaching, technology enhanced learning, and a wide range of urban, rural, and island-based Practice Learning Experiences that reflect the unique healthcare settings of the north of Scotland. Work with people of all ages across physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioural health needs in diverse care environments.
Build the professional knowledge and practical expertise needed to deliver safe, evidence-based care while strengthening your critical reading, analytical, literacy, and numeracy skills. Explore different ideas and perspectives, grow your confidence in decision making, and prepare to make a meaningful contribution to better healthcare outcomes.
Choose the route that works for you
On-campus: Our on-campus routes give you the opportunity to learn through face-to-face teaching, simulation, practical experience, and support from our nursing community. Study in the Highlands or Western Isles while developing the skills and confidence needed for a rewarding career in nursing
Rural and Islands route: If relocating for a conventional on-campus programme is not practical, study closer to home via our Rural and Islands route. Follow the same high-quality BSc programme, leading to professional registration as an Adult or Mental Health nurse, and receive the same support as your peers while completing your studies primarily online.
Particularly suited to individuals with established personal, family, caring, or community commitments, you will access local support through a hub in your area for clinical skills training, mandatory training, and selected assessments that require face-to-face attendance. Gain the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to become a registered nurse while continuing to contribute to the community that matters to you.
Put your skills into practice
Graduate ready to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the professional regulator for nurses in the UK, and begin making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
Want to find out more? Meet us at an open day or get in touch our Nursing Admissions team.
Special features
- Academic qualification (BSc) and gain NMC registration
- Dynamic career opportunities within Scotland, the UK and beyond
- Opportunity to either study on-campus or learn closer to home via our Rural and Islands routes
- Internationally acknowledged academics
- Draft timetables are usually made available to you 6 weeks prior to the start of theory blocks, allowing time to plan and schedule personal commitments
- Exciting placement opportunities in a wide range of hospital and community settings
- Innovative teaching and learning approaches
- Student-centred and student-focused curriculum
Accommodation
We can provide information on local accommodation options on request to help you find a place to stay.
Important: Please click here to read our FAQ sheet for information about applying to this programme.
This programme is aimed at school or college leavers and mature entrants who have the desire and aptitude to care for people, carers and their families.
All applicants must satisfy the NMC requirements of numeracy and literacy skills sufficient to meet programme outcomes (NMC 2018). All applicants will need to do this with acceptable qualifications in English and Maths, or successful completion of pre-course learning as instructed by the University.
Entry requirements:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grades BCC or above OR
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
Alternative qualifications
For entry to year one we welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated. These include:
- Access to Nursing with a pass and BCC in the profile OR
- HNCs: Healthcare Practice preferred, although any health/science-related HNC will be considered, plus SQA National 5 English and Maths (grade C) / Intermediate 2 (grade C) / Standard (grade 3) / GCSE (grade 4), or equivalent OR
- HN Cluster: Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 7) plus 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
- SVQ Level 3 pass in a care-related subject (or equivalent) plus 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR
- SCQF Level 6 Health and Social Care pass all components with one Higher at grade C or above OR
- Completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare plus one Higher at grade C or above
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
You must also have the below qualifications to gain entry to this course:
English/ESOL
- National 5 or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above OR
- Standard Grade (grade 3 or above) OR
- GCSE English Literature or Language (grade 4 or above) or equivalent OR
- OpenLearn Everyday English 2
Mathematics
- National 5 or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above in Mathematics, Applications of Mathematics or Lifeskills Mathematics OR
- Standard Grade (grade 3 or above) OR
- GCSE (grade 4 or above) or equivalent OR
- OpenLearn Everyday Maths 2
Additional desired requirements:
- Human Biology, Biology, or a science subject: National 5 or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above; or Standard Grade (grade 3 or above); or GCSE (grade 4 or above); or equivalent
English Language
- Recognised European or international equivalent qualifications are considered. If English is not your first language, you must have evidence of your English language skills
Qualifications over 5 years old are considered on an individual basis
As part of the recruitment process, selected applicants will be invited to a compulsory interview which is designed specifically for entrants to nursing. Full guidelines will be provided in advance of the interview including required preparation for the event. It will be helpful for you at that stage to be familiar with the Nursing and Midwifery Code.
This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage.
All successful applicants must be passed fit by Occupational Health. This will require an online questionnaire. You may also be required to attend an in person appointment at the Occupational Health Department.
Evidence of your digital and technological literacy will be determined by successful completion of your online application.
Rural and Islands routes
The Rural and Islands routes are intended for individuals whose circumstances prevent you from undertaking a traditional campus-based programme and for whom other flexible study options may not meet your needs. Applicants for these routes of entry must:
- meet the academic entry requirements for the BSc Nursing programme
- be permanently resident in a rural or island community within the programme's catchment area, which fall under our NHS partners: NHS Highland, NHS Grampian, NHS Western Isles, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland
- demonstrate that you are unable to relocate to undertake the standard route of study due to significant personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities or other commitments that require you to remain within your local community
- caring responsibilities may include caring for children, dependent adults, disabled family members, or others who rely on your ongoing support
- provide evidence of your circumstances where requested
- show that alternative nursing education routes are not appropriate or accessible to you
- demonstrate a commitment to living and studying within a rural or island community and an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges associated with delivering healthcare in these settings
Please note:
- Places are limited and entry is competitive
- Availability of placements cannot be guaranteed within an applicant's immediate community
- You may be required to travel within the rural catchment area to achieve NMC proficiencies
- Progression is dependent on successfully achieving all required proficiencies and programme outcomes
- Selection will include an interview, with involvement from NHS partners, to assess suitability for this route
- Acceptance onto the route is dependent on appropriate practice learning capacity being available
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
There are two programmes available - Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. In the first year all students complete the same modules:
- Foundations in science, skills and practice for nurses 1 and 2
- Introduction to professional practice 1 and 2
- Practice learning experience 1 and 2
Modules for both degrees are:
- Developing professional practice 1 and 2
- Enhancing knowledge and skills for nursing practice 1
- Practice learning experience 3 and 4
Adult nursing students will also study:
- Enhancing knowledge and skills for adult nursing practice 2
Mental health nursing students will also study:
- Enhancing knowledge and skills for mental health nursing practice 2
Modules for both degrees are:
- Practice learning experience 5 and 6
- Transition to professional practice 1 and 2
Adult nursing students will also study:
- Assessment and management of complex care needs in adult nursing 1 and 2
Mental health nursing students will also study:
- Assessment and management of complex care needs in mental health nursing 1 and 2
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
UB740 Adult Nursing and UB760 Mental Health Nursing
- Students on these routes will study in-person, on campus, and online, via scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
UB770 BSc Adult Nursing (Rural and Islands) and UB780 BSc Mental Health Nursing (Rural and Islands)
- Students on the rural and islands routes will study online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will also attend a local hub for clinical skills training, mandatory training, and selected assessments that require face‑to‑face invigilation
- Practice learning opportunities will be arranged close to your home
All routes
- The course consists of 50% theoretical learning and 50% practical training
- Theoretical components of the course will primarily be delivered online with some face-to-face requirements
- Practice placements are undertaken in a range of placement settings. During clinical practice, you are supernumerary (not counted as part of the workforce numbers); you will be expected to participate in all appropriate levels of care delivery and will be supervised by an appropriate person at all times
- You will engage with a range of online and face to face learning experiences including lectures, seminars, small group work, independent learning, clinical skills teaching, and simulation
- Theory and research-based practice are integrated in both the classroom and the clinical setting
- You will be assessed by a range of methods including examinations, essays, reports, presentations, clinical skills assessments, and assessments of practice
- All students will undertake two mandatory work placement blocks per year, each for 7-14 weeks @ 40 hours per week, as indicated below:
- Year 1: Practice Learning Experiences (PLE) 1 and 2
- Year 2: Practice Learning Experiences (PLE) 3 and 4
- Year 3: Practice Learning Experiences (PLE) 5 and 6
- Please see our Practice Learning Experiences handbook for further information
- You will take part in a mandatory induction, either in-person at your local UHI campus or online, in the first week of September that your course begins
- The programme does not follow a standard academic year: holidays are at fixed times each year and cannot be changed
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 3 years @ 35-40 hours per week
This is a full-time programme that consists of 50% theory and 50% clinical practice. During clinical practice allocations it is expected that all students will undertake an average of 40 hours of prescribed clinical practice each week. Students are required to experience a variety of shift patterns which will include night shifts, 12-hour shifts and weekend shifts; these shift patterns will usually be undertaken within a system that provides 24-hour, 7 day a week care.
- Centre for Rural Health Sciences, Inverness - based at UHI House
- Centre for Rural Health Sciences, Stornoway - based at UHI North, West and Hebrides
- The Centre for Rural Health Sciences has two campuses: one within UHI House, near Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, home to world-leading healthcare research, and the other based at UHI North, West and Hebrides, in the beautiful setting of Stornoway
- Students choosing our on-campus route will be based at one of the above locations
- Students on the Rural and Islands routes will stay in their local area, studying online with scheduled sessions and tutorials, and attending a local hub for face‑to‑face elements
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following applies:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Those who meet the residency criteria and have not previously studied nursing (or midwifery) will have the full cost of their tuition fees covered. If you are not sure of your residency eligibility you should contact the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.
Self-funding Scottish students will pay £1820 per year (The Home-Scotland fee rate is set by the Scottish Government).
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Study Mode | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £9,250 | £9,790 |
Students from the rest of the UK can apply for tuition fee and living cost loan from their home funding body.
This course is not currently available for international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. For students living in the UK and assessed as international fee status, the following fees will apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Study Mode | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £16,950 | £17,970 |
Funding
Scottish students who meet the residence criteria may be eligible for the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary, a non-repayable, non-income assessed bursary. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be able to apply for additional allowances. Further details are available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Authorised clinical placement expenses for accommodation and travel are reimbursed on receipt.
Students from the rest of the UK should apply to their home funding body for living cost loans.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The majority of nursing graduates entering employment find roles within the NHS, the public sector, as well as with private healthcare providers and the voluntary sector. Following successful completion of your programme you will have a choice of practising as a nurse, going into a specialist or leadership role, undertaking further study, taking up research opportunities or teaching.
Career prospects are excellent with significant opportunities for further professional development and specialisation. A UK registered nursing qualification is recognised in many countries around the world, and therefore provides potential opportunities for travel and work abroad.
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the undergraduate BSc in Nursing programme once successfully completed to a Masters and PhD Programme within the university.
This course cannot be studied by international students either on-campus requiring a Student Route Visa or online from outside the UK - please see eligible courses for international applicants
You can apply if you are an international student who does not require a Student Route Visa, for example if you already have legal residency in the UK
The location of UHI was irresistible. The Scottish Highlands have significant rural areas filled with large natural woodlands. I like the idea of breathing fresh, clean air. I liked the idea of learning in small groups than mostly being in overcrowded lecture rooms. With small groups, tutors can support students better. The tutors and lectures are very engaging. I am grateful to all my tutors for being approachable and accessible when I needed their guidance.
The mental health nursing programme at UHI is uniquely designed. It teaches students distinctive knowledge and skills needed for the Highland rural population. This widens a doorway to endless opportunities. UHI is a tight-knitted community. It was easy for me to make friends beyond my classmates. I found this beneficial especially that I am a bit remote from my immediate family.
Joseph is studying the BSc in Mental Health Nursing in Inverness.
Studying at UHI has been genuinely life changing. Not only have I been supported to become a registered nurse, but they also encouraged me along my entrepreneurial journey to developing my own healthcare product. Not only have they helped me test my idea in a research project, but the innovation department have supported and connected me to get my product to where it is now!
Roma studied the BSc Nursing at UHI's Centre for Health Science, Inverness.
Nursing is what I’ve always wanted to do and knowing the fantastic reputation that UHI has for delivering an exceptional nursing programme, I was never in any doubt that I’d stay local and study here. The huge variety of placements in different clinical environments, have provided some unique learning opportunities and I’ve been able to work alongside specialist nurses, advanced nurse practitioners and consultants, which has helped me learn much more about their respective areas of expertise.
Darryl studied the BSc Nursing at UHI's Centre for Health Science, Inverness.
Apply for Nursing BSc
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.