The BSc Adult Nursing prepares graduates to begin the study of nursing as a discipline and, following completion to the threshold standard of ordinary degree, to meet the requirements for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). An NMC accredited BSc Honours pathway provides a competitive, optional additional year to progress to Honours degree qualification+.
This degree enables nurses to meet the requirements of a modern health care system, work in multi-professional teams and demonstrate leadership and management abilities.
+The Honours degree qualification is currently subject to change. The latest information will appear on this webpage once confirmed.
Sign up to keep up to date on our courses and events at UWS, while our friendly team can get in touch if you have any questions.
Register your interestWork-based learning makes up 50% of the BSc Adult Nursing and you will spend time on placement, working the equivalent of full-time and a variety of shift patterns, with our local healthcare partners:
Study abroad is extremely beneficial to personal and professional development and research has shown that worldwide employers value graduates with intercultural awareness and global competences.
Opportunities for study abroad may be an option at different points in the programme and you will be notified if/when these are available.
(The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024)
We welcome Scottish and UK students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements.
All applicants must satisfy the entry requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) including having the capability to meet the numeracy requirements of the programme and proficiency in English language and literacy (NMC Future Nurse Standards 2023).
An offer to study is also dependent on the outcome of the selection process and background checks:
Access to the programme is dependent on Occupational Health, Protecting Vulnerable Group and Moving & Handling clearance. Failure to attend an occupational health appointment and moving & handling training on two occasions, without prior notice, may result in you being required to pay an administration fee of £60 to cover the cost of non-attendance. Not attending costs the University approximately £120 per appointment. In addition, not completing the Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) application on two occasions may result in you being required to pay the cost to complete the application, you can find a note of the current cost at Disclosure Scotland
The Part 1 theory and practice modules, equate to 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 7. In total, students complete 1000 theory hours and 600 practice hours.
You will complete modules on Nursing Health and Care, Nursing in Society, Health and Human Development 1, Community Health and Social Care, Values in Practice and Academic and Professional Development.
LEARNING AND TEACHING:
You will experience a blended approach to learning which will include theory (scheduled and independent study) and practice learning experiences.
ASSESSMENT:
Theory will be assessed using a variety of coursework assessments and modules with associated practice will also involve practice-based assessments.
The Part 2 theory and practice modules, equate to 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 8. In total, students complete 720 theory hours and 840 practice hours.
In Year 2 you will focus on caring for vulnerable individuals and gain skills in understanding, learn how to evaluate risk and provide effective and safe care.
You will complete modules on Promoting Positive Outcome, Health and Human Development 2, Resilience in Healthcare and Building Healthy Communities. Time will also be spent enhancing your clinical skills on placement.
LEARNING AND TEACHING:
You will experience a blended approach to learning which will include theory (scheduled and independent study) and practice learning experiences.
ASSESSMENT:
Theory will be assessed using a variety of coursework assessments and modules with associated practice will also involve practice-based assessments.
In Year 3 you will continue to develop your knowledge, decision-making and practical skills. You will also develop and demonstrate the professional standards required for registration as a Registered Nurse.
The theory and practice modules in Year 3, equate to 120 academic credits at SCQF Level 9. Students are required to complete all practice hours and assessment. In total, they complete 680 theory hours and 880 practice hours.
You will complete modules on Managing Complex Needs, Evidence Led Enquiry and Leadership in Healthcare.
LEARNING AND TEACHING:
You will experience a blended approach to learning which will include theory (scheduled and independent study) and practice learning experiences.
ASSESSMENT:
Theory will be assessed using a variety of coursework assessments and modules with associated practice will also involve practice-based assessments.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and guided laboratory work.
There will also be group work, literature reports and research projects in order to ensure our degrees provide a strong set of additional skills, such as presentational and communicative skills.
Our nursing degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Upon completion you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Nurse. Most graduates use their registration to become Staff Nurse, School Nurse, Specialist Nurse / Nurse Practitioner or Health Visitors working in the community. Some graduates move into wider fields of public health. Job opportunities are excellent and graduates can expect a good starting salary and career prospects. For students interested in working abroad this degree enables you to work in the rest of the EU, Canada and Australia
Some graduates choose further study, leading to postgraduate certificate or diploma or an MSc in a heathcare-related subject.
For more information on undertaking a career in Adult Nursing click here.
If you are ordinarily resident in Scotland, you may be eligible to receive £10,000 worth of funding in each of the first three years of your BSc programme, and £7,500 if you study an honours year, for tuition and living costs. This funding is available through the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery student bursary scheme (PNMSB) which comes from the Scottish Government Health Directorate but is administered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
You can find out more on the webpages below:
"I'm loving every minute. The support system at the University has been absolutely fantastic. Before UWS, I had quite low self-esteem, but the University has helped me build on my confidence, to the point where, at the Royal College of Nursing Congress, I was able to stand up in front of hundreds, possibly thousands, of people to put my point across about student nurses in the cost of living crisis. It was such an amazing learning opportunity".
Charlie, Adult Nursing student
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
£1,820 per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£18,000 per year of study
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.