Nursing Studies

Embarking on a career in nursing means you will be experiencing the extraordinary every day. You have the privilege of supporting patients and their families through life’s most profound moments in health and illness. Our four-year honours degree provides the essential foundation of knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical skills needed to thrive in this dynamic and rewarding field. Whether your aspirations lie in clinical practice, research, education, or shaping healthcare policy, this comprehensive programme empowers you to make a lasting difference in people's lives and the healthcare system, forging a meaningful and impactful career. 

Ranked No. 1 in the UK by the Guardian University Rankings 2024, our Nursing programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to join a legacy of excellence. Since 1965, we’ve  nurtured a diverse and accomplished community of nurses having impact worldwide. By choosing our programme you will embark on a journey that not only prepares you for registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) but will allow you to join an empowered new generation of nursing leaders.  

Our four-year undergraduate honours degree brings together theoretical and practice learning allowing you to apply knowledge to clinical practice. Throughout your degree you will gain experience of working in acute hospitals, community settings and care homes, as well as working with nurses in specialist services, education roles and research. The range of placements allows you to develop a range of clinical skills, preparing you for employment in the varied healthcare landscape. The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and prepares students for registration as an Adult Nurse on the NMC Register. 

Within the University we use a variety of assessment methods including essays, exams, group and poster presentations. Your classes are based in both the central campus and at the Clinical Skills facility at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  

We offer you the opportunity to customise your learning by selecting courses from a range of options in Year 1 and, as you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to follow your interests with a choice of honours option courses. In Year 3, students have the opportunity to arrange an ‘elective’ placement in the UK or overseas. This could allow you to explore health in another part of the country, or in a different context such as prison, occupational health, clinical research or refugee health. students have an opportunity to apply for selection to a semester-long exchange with La Trobe University in Melbourne.  

Another distinctive feature of the programme is the opportunity to conduct a dissertation in your final year. This project allows you to develop a research proposal on a topic of your choice, guided by an experienced supervisor. It’s a chance to delve deeply into an area you’re passionate about and helps you understand how research can improve patient care; excellent preparation for career advancement or further academic study.

With a small, close-knit cohort of approximately 55 students, you’ll benefit from personalised support from our experienced staff. During placement, you will be allocated a Practice Supervisor and Assessor, practitioners trained to support your learning. Our staff and students on the programme come from a range of UK and international backgrounds, fostering a rich, inclusive learning environment.  

Any Scottish students taking the undergraduate programme are also eligible to apply for a non-means-tested bursary.