Entry requirements
Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.
Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto this programme.
Selection Day
You will be invited to our Sighthill campus for a selection day. This will give you the opportunity to meet with the recruitment and teaching teams. You will also have the chance to explore some of the University teaching facilities, for example our state-of-the-art clinical skills simulation area.
Part of the selection process for entry to the programme of your choice will include a computer based Confident Caring Assessment (CCA) where you will be given a short video and related scenario with questions. This is an assessment of the attributes expected of a nurse/ midwife, not your clinical knowledge and skills. It is designed to assess the qualities needed to work as a nurse/ midwife and the proficiencies outlined in the:
Nurses Standards of proficiency
Standards of proficiency for midwives
The Code and watch these short videos
It presents a series of work-related situations, and you will be questioned about how you would respond. All applicants are required to sit the CCA.
Minimum year 1
SQA Higher
Standard Entry Requirement
BBC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science**
National 5 grade C in Maths
For those who do not have Higher English or Higher Science, National 5 English and a Science at grade C will be required.
Minimum Offer Entry Requirement
BCC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science**
National 5 grade C in Maths
For those who do not have Higher English or Higher Science, National 5 English and a Science at grade C will be required.
You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.
A Level
BC preferably to include English or a Literary subject* and a Science**
GCSE grade C/4 in Maths
GCSE grade C/4 in English and a Science or Double Award Science required for candidates who do not have these subjects at A Level
BTEC (QCF) National Extended Diploma Level 3
Minimum grades MMP (Merit, Merit, Pass) in any subject*
GCSE English, Maths and a Science at grade C/4
*Recommended subjects: Health and Social Care/Applied Science/Sports Science/Health Science
BTEC (QCF) National Diploma
Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) in any subject*
GCSE English, Maths and a Science at grade C/4
*Recommended subjects: Health and Social Care/Applied Science/Sports Science/Health Science
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level preferably to include English or Literary subject* and a Science**
O3 in two Ordinary Level subjects including Maths
HNC
Pass in any subject* with grade C in the graded unit for Year 1 entry
*Care and Administrative Practice
*Social Care, Social Services, Social Sciences, Childhood Practice (National 5 grade C in Maths and a Science also required)
*Applied Science (National 5 grade C in English and Maths also required)
*Any other HNC's (National 5 grade C in Maths, English and a Science also required)
QQI Level 5 Pre-Nursing Studies
Minimum of 6 Distinctions must be achieved overall. Distinctions must also be achieved in the Communication Unit and the Anatomy and Physiology Unit
B2/O3 in Ordinary Level Maths in Irish Leaving Certificate or Maths passed as part of QQI Level 5
Access Courses
Please note the following points about local Access to Nursing courses offered by Further Education Colleges for those interested in Nursing and Midwifery courses at Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University has Partnership Agreements with 4 local Further Education Colleges – Borders, Edinburgh, Fife and West Lothian Colleges for entry to Adult, Learning Disability, Child and Mental Health Nursing.
Well over 100 students study each year, on appropriate preparation to nursing and midwifery courses, at our Partner Colleges.
All students attending Access to Nursing courses (excluding Edinburgh College) are required to pass the internally assessed graded units with overall profile grades BBC. For Edinburgh College, internally assessed units are not graded and applicants would be required to pass all internally assessed units to be considered for interview at Edinburgh Napier University for Adult, Learning Disability, Child or Mental Health Nursing.
Midwifery Courses
Students on Access to Nursing courses are not considered for the Midwifery course.
Students from the Rest of the UK
Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 credits overall with a minimum of 18 credits at Pass and 27 credits at Merit.
A Science and English subject must be achieved at Level 3 and Maths achieved at Level 2.
Interview Requirements
There will be a selection interview and all candidates must meet NMC requirements of good health and good character. Competition for places varies from year-to-year and achievement of the standard entry requirements does not always guarantee shortlisting for interview or a place on the course.
Admission to the programme is dependent upon a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) check. This will be conducted as part of the induction week. The cost of the PVG check will be paid by the University.
Deferred Applications
Please note that we cannot accept applications for deferred entry for this course.
Previous Nursing Students
Please note that students who have already studied a Nursing degree are unlikely to receive funding for a second Nursing degree.
Mature students
Adequate and appropriate previous (and recent) study is essential. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk if you are unsure whether or not you would be eligible to apply. Relevant work experience will be considered alongside recent study. It may be necessary for those with limited qualifications to undertake an Access course or other appropriate courses/studies in a Further Education setting.
Subjects required
*Literary subjects include: English/English Literature; History; Modern Studies; Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies/Christian Theology; Psychology; Geography; Sociology; Health and Social Care; Law
**Science Subjects include: Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Physics; PE (only accepted as Higher)
English Language Requirements
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 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in each component, excluding Writing which requires 6.5). For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk.
This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.