About the degree programme

This programme is a two-year route for those who wish to become Adult nurses and already have an undergraduate degree. 

It provides the theoretical and practice learning needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and practise as a registered Adult nurse.

The key aims of this programme are to produce graduate nurses who can:

  • Use the knowledge gained from this programme to inform safe, effective nursing care.
  • Evaluate the complex interactions between human characteristics and social structures and their impact on population and individual health outcomes and opportunities.
  • Evaluate the dynamic and complex nature of health services and demonstrate a commitment to meeting the changing needs of the communities they serve.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design, complete and evaluate research for the provision of safe and effective health care.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and attributes, informed by strong critical reflection skills, through working in interdisciplinary teams to achieve safe and effective patient care.

Programme benefits

  • You will enjoy an accelerated route into the varied, dynamic and global profession of nursing.
  • You will benefit from being in a research intensive University where you are taught by staff who are engaged with the contemporary issues in nursing through research and practice.
  • You will have the option to embark on a four-week clinical elective placement in the UK or abroad. This experience will allow you to either explore global perspectives or develop your understanding of diverse nursing practices in the UK.
  • Student support both at the University and in clinical placement is our priority. You benefit from a named Student Adviser and a number of specialist health and wellbeing services.

Embarking on the MN course has been a highly enriching experience and has given me the skills and confidence needed to make a positive start in the nursing profession.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

Costs while on placement

If you are resident in Scotland, you may qualify for the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary and should check the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) website for information about eligibility and levels of award.

If you are eligible, you should be able to reclaim travel expenses incurred during clinical placements. Students who are ineligible will personally bear the cost of travel and accommodation related to clinical placement.

Check if you are eligible for a SAAS bursary

In Year 1, you will have the opportunity to undertake an elective clinical placement, either abroad or elsewhere in the UK. Students undertaking this placement are responsible for:

  • visa costs
  • immunisation
  • travel costs
  • living costs
Rest of UK and overseas students

Students from the rest of the UK and overseas, whose fees are not paid by the Scottish Government, will be liable for the cost of the following mandatory items:

  • uniforms (around £80)
  • occupational health appointments and immunisation (around £150 depending on your personal requirements)
  • membership fee for the PVG scheme (around £60-70)

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

National 5 Mathematics at grade C or above or GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above, or its international equivalent.

Personal statement documenting clearly your motivation and understanding of the role of the nurse.

We may be able to consider applicants with a lower degree classification alongside extensive relevant experience and a strong personal statement. We are only able to consider these applicants after all qualified applicants have been fully considered.

Whilst we consider applications from international applicants, please be aware that we have only a small number of places available and therefore we operate a competitive selection process.

Recognition of Prior Learning of Theory and Practice Hours

You are required to demonstrate that you meet the RPL requirements of 479 practice hours and 140 notional theory hours in order to achieve the NMC requirement of 2300 hours in both theory and practice.  

RPL of practice hours

You are required to demonstrate that you have achieved a total of 479 hours of relevant practice experience prior to entry to the programme. At least 150 of these hours must be achieved at the point of application.

Relevant experience is defined as:

  • Experience gained in a paid or unpaid role in a health and social care setting where you have been in a role supporting people which enables you to demonstrate the development of skills, attributes and values commensurate with the 7 NMC platforms as identified in form RPE1.
  • Relevant experience for RPL should have been gained within the 5 years prior to application and the hours must be verified  on form RPE2 by someone who worked with you such as your line manager or a senior member of staff.

RPL of theory hours

You are required to demonstrate theoretical learning equivalent to 140 hours of notional effort.

A claim for RPL of theoretical learning hours is made using form RPE3.

You must identify your learning in relation to 5 aspects of the programme. Evidence supporting the claim for RPL of theoretical hours may take the form of module/course titles and learning outcomes, or a list of relevant work-related courses attended, reading or other academic activity with accompanying reflection on learning in relation to the topics and evidenced on form RPE4.

To download the RPE forms highlighted above, please check the 'How to apply' section.

Selection criteria

You must meet academic entry requirements and also the professional regulating body requirement.  

You must pass the selection process focused on interpersonal skills, teamwork, attitude towards those with protected characteristics, and ability to formulate and express argument/opinions. The selection process also includes a discussion of the learning identified on RPE1.

Additionally, entrance is conditional on you gaining entry to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and all students must undergo hepatitis B immunisation, TB status and occupational health check before starting the degree. Students will also need to meet any NHS Scotland vaccination requirements. 

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 7.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 25 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 185 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 8 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 155 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The Nursing with Pre-Registration (Adult) programme offers an accelerated route into adult nursing. The programme reflects global, UK and Scottish perspectives of healthcare preparing you for the varied and dynamic environment of 21st century healthcare. This programme allows you to work closely with academic staff who are engaged in international nursing leadership, research and practice.

The programme combines theoretical and clinical skills learning within the University with practice learning experiences. The equal weighting of theory and practice is a defining feature of this degree structure and is required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

This programme can be used by registrants who are Mental Health, Child Health or Learning Disability nurses as a route to adding Adult Nursing to their registration.

Throughout the programme, you will engage in practice learning and experience placement time in a range of community and inpatient settings.

Compulsory courses

Year 1

Compulsory courses include:

  • Life sciences and nursing care
  • Mental health and nursing care
  • Designing research in nursing, health and social care
  • Becoming a critically reflective practitioner

One optional course is taken in Semester 2.

Year 2

Compulsory courses include:

  • Leading and managing for health and social care
  • Managing complex needs
  • Pathophysiology and nursing care
  • Dissertation

Option courses

Examples of available option courses can be found in the Degree Programme Table.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Placements

Across both years of the programme you will undertake learning through engagement in the practice learning setting and clinical skills simulation sessions. This practice learning will take place in a range of settings including hospital, community and care home. 

For parts of the year you will balance academic work and practice learning while over the summer, you will undertake full-time practice learning experiences.

While in the practice setting, you will be supervised and assessed by suitably trained practitioners. You will have a range of experiences in specialist services, acute and critical care areas as well as in rehabilitation and long-term care. 

Year 1 includes a 4-week elective placement where you can choose to gain clinical experience in an international setting or closer to home.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a nursing student, you will benefit from our research-intensive environment. Here you will learn from staff engaged with the contemporary issues in nursing through research and practice.

You will benefit from small cohort sizes throughout the programme. You can also get involved in wider university activities, benefitting from the multicultural and diverse student population.

All nursing programmes in the UK are 50% theory and 50% practice. The courses you take in this programme have both theoretical and clinical practice elements.

You are required to attend in-person classes every week and to actively take part in clinical skills teaching sessions. The skills sessions require some preparation and you are asked to engage with materials in advance of the session so that you can maximise the skills laboratory session for hands-on practice and feedback.

You will learn through a combination of: 

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars
  • clinical skills sessions
  • problem-based learning
  • reflective diaries
  • group work
  • simulation

You will also undertake learning in practice learning environments during clinical placements in each year. Attendance is carefully monitored in practice learning.

Assessment

We use a range of assessments including:

  • coursework
  • multimedia presentations
  • group work
  • group presentations
  • exams
  • clinical practice assessments

This programme has progression points where you must demonstrate clinical competence as well as academic excellence.

Practice learning is jointly assessed by a Practice Assessor and an Academic Assessor in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for Nurse Education and the Standards for Students Supervision and Assessment (2018).

Learning outcomes

The key aim of the programme is to produce a graduate Adult nurse with masters-level knowledge and understanding, enabling you to achieve the proficiencies required for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You will achieve this through:

  • Practising as an accountable professional in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) code of conduct and other ethical and regulatory frameworks.
  • Placing the person at the centre of the provision of safe and effective nursing care.
  • Demonstrating leadership and team working skills that enable you to work effectively with families, carers and other members of the health and social care team.
  • Embracing health promotion and public health as key parts of the nurse’s role in supporting health improvement for individuals and communities.
  • Demonstrating a critical understanding of the person as a biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social being.
  • Developing competence in a range of clinical skills appropriate for the care of the person across the lifespan and in a range of health and social care settings.
  • Recognising the complexity of nursing, health and social care needs of people across a range of organisations and applying this knowledge to the assessment of need, planning and implementation of evidence-based, person-centred nursing care.
  • Engaging with the development and application of research as the evidence base for nursing practice, and with the application of quality improvement approaches as means of improving the safety and quality of patient care in clinical settings.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

In addition, student nurses are supported in practice learning experiences by both clinical and academic staff.

Our academic staff

Where you will study

Study location

Teaching takes place across the Central Campus, Holyrood and New College areas of the University. 

Clinical skills teaching takes place at the Chancellor's Building Clinical Skills Centre, at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Academic facilities

You will have access to:

  • teaching and learning facilities
  • clinical skills lab
  • libraries
  • computer labs

Accreditation

This programme is validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

All students must complete annual declarations that they are of good health and character to meet NMC requirements to continue on programme.

If you achieve the required clinical and academic outcomes, you will be eligible to register with the NMC as an adult nurse.

Career opportunities

The career opportunities are excellent for our graduates who will be entering a large workforce which recruits regularly.

Those who graduate with a masters instead of undergraduate level education have excellent prospects of career progression into higher levels of clinical and managerial practice in the NHS after consolidating their nursing practice.

Our graduates have gone onto a range of clinical settings in both community and hospital contexts, specialising in areas such as:

  • intensive care
  • oncology
  • theatres
  • accident and emergency
  • voluntary sector organisations

Other graduates have explored careers in:

  • health care policy development
  • research
  • education
  • global development
  • prison health
  • care homes
  • health care related businesses

The route to PhD will also be open to you with a thriving doctoral population in Nursing Studies.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Abbie Cowper-Barrie

Degree: MN Nursing

Year of graduation: 2023

Current work: Registered Nurse

Since graduating, I’ve gone from NHS A&E to travel nursing across rural Western Australia. I’m often the only registered nurse on shift in small Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) site, working alongside telehealth doctors to stabilise unwell patients and coordinate emergency transfers with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and volunteer ambulance crews. Working in these resource-limited settings has been both a clinical challenge and a personal adventure, allowing me to explore parts of Australia I never imagined visiting!

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

How to apply

We are keen to welcome people from a range of disciplines into nursing careers and look forward to considering your application. Please make sure to read all the information below before submitting your application.

The application process and recognition of prior experience (RPE) forms are outlined below. Please consider all of your transferable skills and think widely about their applicability to healthcare settings.

Applicants who have completed Ordinary degrees in another branch of Nursing, for example, Mental Health, Child Health or Learning Disability will all be considered and can use this programme to add Adult Nursing to their registration.

We welcome enquiries and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the suitability of your prior experience.

Contact the central admissions team

Contact the Programme Director, Dr Sarah Rhynas

When to apply

We strongly recommend you submit your completed application as early as possible, particularly if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. We may consider late applications if we have places available.

Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts. 

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it.

Our deadline for equal consideration is 30 June 2026.

We operate a competitive selection process. We will only consider applications made after 30 June 2026 if places are still available after all on-time applications have been fully considered.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

Required documents

As part of the online application, you must submit the following supporting documents:

  • your official degree transcript / interim transcript and official certificate
  • a personal statement
  • completed RPE forms, required as evidence that you meet the programme's Recognition of Prior Practice Experience (RPE) requirements

You will need to download and complete the following RPE forms:

To submit your RPE forms, you can do either of the following:

  • access your application online and upload the completed form documents
  • attach the completed form documents to an email and send it to this address: CAHSS.ApplicantAdmin@ed.ac.uk

If you need to send your completed forms via email, the body of the email should also include your:

  • UUN (university username)
  • your full name
  • the name of the programme you are applying for

Please check the status of your application regularly and make sure to provide all of the requested documentation.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

You will need to assign your referee and provide their email address as part of the online application. Your referee will then receive an email request to submit the reference on your behalf.

Good health and character

On programme you will be asked to complete an annual good health and character declaration which confirms you meet the standards required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to register as a nurse on completion of the programme.

At the time of application you are required to inform the University of any previous Fitness to Practice processes or disqualifications.

Interview

Applicants who meet the academic criteria and submit strong evidence of RPE experience may be invited for an interview. The interview will include a discussion of your practice experience. This can be carried out using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Receiving an offer

Following the interview, you may receive an unconditional offer if all of the following requirements have been met:

  • you have been successful in the interview
  • you meet the academic criteria
  • you have completed the RPE requirements

You may receive a conditional offer if you have not yet submitted evidence of either or both:

  • meeting the programme's language requirements
  • completed RPE requirements

If you receive a conditional offer because you have not yet completed the RPE requirements, you will need to complete and submit the RPE2 and RPE5 forms within 12 weeks of the interview.

Immunisation requirements

All students must receive hepatitis B immunisation, TB status and an occupational health check before starting the degree. You will also need to meet any NHS Scotland vaccination requirements. This varies depending on personal medical history and local NHS requirements which are subject to change throughout the programme.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

If we give you an offer, you will need to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before you start this degree programme.

We will send you information on how to join the PVG scheme.

PVG scheme information on the Scottish Government website

If you live outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, or have spent more than one year living outside the UK, then you will need to provide proof from the relevant national authority.

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The Nursing Society offers a wide range of social events throughout the year, including over the period of summer placements.

We create academic families which include students from each of the cohorts. They provide a really nice way to get to know other students and share advice and experiences. We have full society events and have smaller socials within ‘families’ providing something for everyone.

As we are a smaller programme, this means we all get to know each other and create a very strong nursing community. From study sessions to pub crawls we have all social events covered. The nursing society is always happy to answer any questions or concerns and offers lots of support especially during placements.

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support