Overview
Adult Nursing is a challenging and rewarding profession caring for people. With the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals, nursing offers strong job security.
Stirling is a superb place for you to learn the skills of modern nursing. Our BSc and BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing courses are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. They have also received multiple commendations. The University of Stirling has won Student Nursing Times Awards multiple times going back to 2012.
Adult Nursing is a dynamic profession. Our nursing degrees will give you the education and confidence to join modern healthcare teams. Our courses are founded on a philosophy of values, integrity and resilience. You will become an Adult Nursing practitioner with excellence, compassion, safety and respect at the core of your practice.
Develop your expertise
- Develop your skills and experience with placements at NHS Forth Valley and third sector partnerships.
- Diverse clinical placements and specialised experience include:
- medical and surgical nursing
- rehabilitation of adults
- care of older adults
- emergency department and Intensive care
- community placements such as district nursing, health visiting or prison nursing.
- Gain practical experience in our Clinical Skills Lab.
- Virtual practice learning will prepare you for less frequently encountered situations. This includes maternity care, learning disability and child health.
- A team of practice assessors, practice supervisors, and academic assessors will assess and support you.
Learn more about our nursing practice placements.
Focus on your mental health and wellbeing
Our Adult Nursing degrees focus on mental health and wellbeing of our students. You will be equipped with tools to boost your self-confidence and self-reliance. You will also have access to our student support services.
Nursing is global: international opportunities
Global health themes are integrated throughout our nursing degrees. Our nursing students actively engage in the global health community. One example of this is the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health. There are opportunities for students to study abroad and gain valuable experience.
BSc (Hons) and BSc Adult Nursing: what's the difference?
Our BSc course in Adult Nursing is three years, and our BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing course is four years. The Nursing and Midwifery Council approves both courses. Both courses lead to professional registration upon successful completion.
In their final year, Honours students complete additional modules, including a dissertation and their NMC-required final placement. This helps achieve registration and their Honours degree at the end of Year 4.
Students can apply to switch between BSc (Hons) and BSc Adult Nursing during their course.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approves both our BSc (Hons) and BSc adult nursing degrees in Scotland.
Each year, both courses meet the NMC requirement of 50% theory and 50% practice.
Following successful completion of the course, students are eligible to achieve professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Students can be nominated for The Student Nursing Times Awards.
These awards celebrate the very best in student nurses and nurse education. They recognise those who are committed to developing new nursing talent.
The University of Stirling has won Student Nursing Times Awards in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022.
Entry requirements
BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult only
SQA Highers
BBBB
GCE A-levels
BBC
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DMM
Essential subjects
One Higher or A Level (or equivalent) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements and successfully pass an interview.
BSc Nursing - Adult applicants only
SQA Highers
BBC
GCE A-levels
CCC
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC
MMM
Preferred subjects
Preference will be given to those with a science or health care background.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements and successfully pass an interview.
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
If you don’t currently have the relevant qualifications to apply to either university or an HNC, you can apply for an access course. The University of Stirling runs an Access to Nursing Studies course.
Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP)
You can complete a SWAP Access to Nursing course to gain entry to our BSc Adult and Mental Health nursing degrees.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English access course
Access to Higher Education Diploma - 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3. Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. We can only consider advanced entry applications for Year 2 and not Year 3 entry.
Application procedure
What other criteria are considered for Nursing Adult degrees?
We carefully consider other qualities and interests through your personal statement. Explaining why you’re choosing a course is essential and your knowledge of and interest in Adult Nursing should be evident. Voluntary or paid experience in a care setting is welcomed. You are strongly advised to make links between the knowledge, values and skills gained in these experiences and the course. Other experience that demonstrates your commitment and your ability to work in a team is also valuable.
You also need to provide references. You should provide an academic reference if possible - but failing this, an employer’s reference. Friends as referees are not accepted. If you’re applying to transfer from another institution, a reference and a transcript from that institution are required.
The Faulty of Health Sciences and Sport arranges placements with our practice partners. Placements may cover a wide geographical area. You will need to travel to all areas within NHS Forth Valley.
Will there be an interview?
If your application proceeds, we will invite you to attend a compulsory interview.
What other factors are involved?
All applicants are subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. This will show all spent and unspent criminal convictions, including (but not limited to):
- cautions
- reprimands
- final warnings
- bind over orders or similar.
Your check may also show details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices or penalty notices for disorder.
Previous criminal convictions need not exclude you, but all convictions must be declared. Some occurrences may result in an unsuccessful application. A panel may be convened to determine the applicant’s fitness for accessing practice placements.
All applicants must be passed fit by occupational health. This will require a questionnaire and a personal visit to the campus.
To protect your privacy, we will not normally carry out these checks until after we have made an offer.
This process is subject to change.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is accepted by the Faculty. This can lead to a shorter study programme. We can only consider advanced entry applications for Year 2 and not Year 3 entry.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in speaking, listening and reading.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 67 overall with a minimum of 62 in writing and 67 in speaking, listening and reading.
- IBT TOEFL 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You’ll gain the expertise and values that are essential to deliver safe, compassionate, ethical and effective care. You will be well-prepared for evolving and dynamic health and social care environments.
Focused placements will give you the opportunity to put theory into practice. During these placements you will work many different shift patterns. This may involve day and night shifts to give you a broad experience of a nursing career.
A personal tutor will guide and support you during your studies.
During Year 1, you’ll study alongside our Mental Health Nursing and our BSc Paramedic Science students. You will gain insight into how healthcare professionals work together for patient-centred care.
BSc (Hons) Nursing – Adult
In Year 4, you can enhance your research knowledge through a dissertation project. You’ll explore wider perspectives of healthcare and take an optional module. To allow you the time, Year 4 focuses on academic work, with no formal clinical placements. You will always complete a NMC-required final placement.
Course objectives for both courses
The overarching outcomes of both courses reflect the NMC Standards for Pre‐registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). They aim to ensure our graduate nurses are able to:
- Deliver high-quality essential care to all.
- Deliver complex care to service users across their field of practice.
- Act to safeguard the public, and be responsible and accountable for safe, person‐centred, evidence‐based nursing practice.
- Act with professionalism and integrity, and work within agreed professional, ethical and legal frameworks and processes to maintain and improve standards.
- Practise in a compassionate, respectful way, maintaining dignity and wellbeing and communicating effectively.
- Act on their understanding of how people’s lifestyles, environments and the location of care delivery influence their health and wellbeing.
- Seek out every opportunity to promote health and prevent illness.
- Work in partnership with other health and social care professionals and agencies, service users, carers and families ensuring that decisions about care are shared.
- Use leadership skills to supervise and manage others and contribute to planning, designing, delivering and improving future services.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
We provide a supportive and engaging learning environment on our nursing programmes. This is recognised with five-star excellence in teaching by QS Stars University Ratings 2024. Our academic experts combine theory and hands-on experience so you learn nursing practice.
Innovative teaching methods include:
- lectures
- group work
- virtual reality (VR) and simulation-based education
- oral presentations
In Year 1, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Paramedic students study together. This reflects the collaborative nature of health and social care professionals.
You evenly split your time between on-campus learning and placements with clinical partners.
The course ensures a balance of 2,300 hours of theory learning and 2,300 hours of practice across two semesters each year. This meets the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
You will be assessed by a range of methods, including:
- examinations
- essays
- reports
- clinical skills assessments
- presentations
- assessments of practice.
You’ll need to pass each semester assessment before progressing to the next semester.
Our placements go beyond standard hospital placements. Find out more about how nursing placements are a key foundation of studying Nursing at Stirling.
There are opportunities for students to study abroad and gain valuable experience. These opportunities include exchange trips with partner universities or via the Work the World Scheme.
There is collaboration and partnerships with:
- University of South Florida
- University of Salisbury Maryland
- University of Minnesota
- University of Indiana
- University of Navarra
You can also meet, collaborate and learn with visiting students, and in virtual classrooms.
For any course related questions, please contact +44 (0)1786 466340 or nursingrecruitment@stir.ac.uk.
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Students domiciled in Scotland
All SAAS-eligible students receive a £10,000 bursary each year for the first three years of study. They can get an extra £7,500 if they complete an Honours year.
Find out more about paramedic, nursing and midwifery funding from SAAS.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Our Nursing Scholarship and Access to Nursing Bursary provides students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland with a £2,000 cash award per year (for Years 1-3 of study).
The scholarship can also be combined with our Honours Year Scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition fees in students’ Honours year of study.
The University also covers the costs of:
- occupational health consultations
- criminal record checks
- compulsory uniforms
- inoculations for undergraduate nursing students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
These benefits represent a cost saving of around £430.
There’s no need to apply for these awards. The admissions process will automatically identify eligible students.
International (including EU) students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Mature students and students with family
Extra funding is available to help with the costs of childcare. SAAS provide funding for students domiciled in Scotland. This includes Dependant’s Allowance, Single Parent’s Allowance and Childcare Allowance for Parents. You can find full information on the SAAS website.
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Preparing you for the world of work
You can enjoy a wide-ranging and rewarding career in nursing that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
Nurses receive competitive salaries and benefits. Benefits include pension schemes, paid holidays, and sick leave. The NHS also provides support for further education and training (Source: Nursing and midwifery - NHS Scotland Careers).
Nurses have excellent opportunities for career progression and continuous professional development. You can specialise in areas such as:
- district nursing
- general practice nursing
- rehabilitation nursing
- older people’s nursing
- accident and emergency nursing
- intensive care nursing
- theatre nursing
- cancer and palliative care nursing
- community staff nursing
- occupational health nursing
- public health
- clinical research
- paediatrics
You can also pursue advanced roles like nurse practitioner or nurse education (Source: Adult nurse - NHS Scotland Careers).
Be the One: Robert Muirhead
Listen to graduate Robert. He now works as a staff nurse in the Surgical Assessment Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.
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