Nursing BN
As the largest group within the healthcare workforce, nurses have a pivotal role in providing, leading and coordinating care. Nurses work within the multidisciplinary team, across a range of health and social care environments, supporting service-users to make informed decisions about their holistic healthcare requirements.
The Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programme is consistently ranked at the top of university league tables: for 2026 Nursing at Glasgow is ranked 1st in the UK for Nursing & Midwifery in the Complete University Guide and 2nd in the UK for Nursing in the The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
- September start
- Session dates
- Nursing BN (Hons): B700 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Professionally accredited
Programme structure
The Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) programme is a four-year professional degree. Learning is equally divided between University and practice learning environments.
Year 1
In year 1, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the professional and wider social context of nursing and health. In addition, you will study a range of sciences, including social sciences, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and biochemistry. You will also develop fundamental care skills and undertake clinical placements in hospital and community settings.
Year 2
In year 2, you will study adult nursing and deepen your knowledge and understanding of biomedical sciences and ethics. Biomedical science subjects include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and pharmacology. Your core nursing courses will include the study of nursing theory, social policy, and research methods.
The focus of your study in year 2 is to provide a biological basis for linking health with ill health and disease processes. You will undertake more clinical placements and further develop your communication skills, relationship skills and knowledge of nursing procedures.
Year 3
In year 3, you will advance your study of adult nursing, research for evidence-informed practice, pharmacotherapy and human disease & pathology.
The focus of year 3 is on developing a holistic and integrated approach to the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of evidence-informed nursing care and therapeutic interventions for people with a range of health conditions. You will advance your study of clinical skills providing an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills for holistic person-centred assessment.
Looking forward to your career as a registered nurse, you will learn the skills required to supervise nursing students and to consolidate your learning in relation to communication and relationship skills, preparing you for an array of opportunities on your clinical placements.
Year 4
In year 4, you will advance your study of health and social care policy, leadership, professionalism in nursing and global health challenges.
The focus of year 4 is to advance your understanding of the wider societal, environmental, economic, and political factors that impact on the health of people and populations and the ways in which you can influence healthcare.
You will have the opportunity to investigate an area of interest related to nursing and healthcare through a written dissertation. The final clinical placement is also incorporated into this year.
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Programme flow
The programme flow is very carefully planned to ensure that students meet the regulatory requirements. Students must adhere to this programme flow and holidays must only be arranged for the scheduled vacation weeks.
- for guidance: BN Clinical Planner 2024/25
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Key contacts
Admissions Officer: Dr Kate Hill
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Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2027
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- Overall IELTS score 7.0
- At least 6.5 in the writing domain and at least 7 in the reading, listening, and speaking domains
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: English for Academic Study
Careers and future opportunities
Graduate destinations
Most graduates progress directly into professional roles aligned with their degree and professional qualification.
Job prospects
Graduate Outcomes data shows that:
- 100% of students are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating
- 100% of those in work are in graduate-level employment
- The average professional salary after 15 months is £31,158.
This subject-level data is from HESA Graduate Outcomes survey. It relates to graduates who completed their programme in 2023–24 and were surveyed 15 months after graduation. Includes single and joint honours programmes.
Skills development
As well as building subject specific knowledge and skills throughout your degree, you’ll also develop transferable skills by:
- Communicating with individuals, families and colleagues with clarity, empathy and professionalism across diverse care settings.
- Assessing health needs thoroughly, planning appropriate interventions and evaluating nursing care using evidence‑informed practice.
- Practising ethically and accountably, safeguarding patient dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and consent.
- Delivering safe, person‑centred care by performing essential nursing procedures and responding effectively to changing clinical situations.
- Leading and coordinating nursing care within interdisciplinary teams, contributing to shared decisions and improved outcomes.
Careers & employability support
Our Careers, Employability & Opportunity team are here to support you at every stage of your career journey. They’ll provide you with opportunities to explore your options, connect with employers in the UK and abroad, build your confidence and develop in demand skills.
You’ll have access to a wide range of support and resources that are designed to help you plan and prepare for your future including: masterclasses, 1:1 career coaching, a dedicated jobs board, employer events and much more.
Accreditation
The Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) recognises this programme for the purpose of registration as an Adult Nurse.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
BN (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
The scholarships shown are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 13 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Nursing]
Guardian University Guide [General Nursing]
Complete University Guide [Nursing]
QS World University Rankings [Nursing]
