All undergraduate pre-registration nursing and midwifery courses at Edinburgh Napier University have one intake each year, in September.
Is Nursing & Midwifery right for you?
Essential qualities for nurses and midwives:
- Honest and trustworthy
- Able to communicate with people from a wide range of backgrounds
- A good listener
- Patient, tactful and non-judgemental
- Able to demonstrate a sensitive and compassionate approach to people
- A good team worker
- Recognise the need to seek and act on guidance
- Able to remain calm in potentially stressful or distressing situations
- Able to draw on knowledge and experience
- Able to multitask
- Able to demonstrate use of reasoning and articulate transferable skills
- Able to commit to a full time course
- Able to show insight and motivation into chosen field of practice
It is strongly recommended that candidates arrange a visit to an appropriate care setting and speak with practising nurses, midwives and current students. Literature about Nursing & Midwifery around the web can also provide useful background information.
Take some time to research the different specialisms of Nursing & Midwifery to decide which route you want to pursue.
Undergraduate (pre-registration)
Postgraduate (pre-registration)
If you already hold an undergraduate degree in another subject area, you may be interested in exploring these postgraduate routes:
Applying to Edinburgh Napier University
Applications to our undergraduate Nursing & Midwifery programmes should be submitted online through UCAS.
You'll need the institution code (E59 ENU) and course code (available on individual course pages). UCAS charges an administration fee of £13 to apply for a single course and £24 to apply for up to five courses.
After you apply, UCAS will confirm your application and send it to us for processing. Candidates MUST check UCAS Track regularly for updates throughout the process.
Please note: The application process for our postgraduate Nursing courses is direct, with one intake each year in January.
We strongly recommend that you apply to Edinburgh Napier University for only ONE field of nursing OR midwifery.
The selection process
In the first instance, your application will be examined to ensure you meet the appropriate academic criteria (available on individual course pages).
Next up is the personal statement. This is your chance to shine! It is an important and vital element of the selection process and can determine whether you'll be invited to interview.
Top tips for writing your statement:
• Tell us what inspired you to apply for that course
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role of the nurse/midwife
• Include personal interests that relate to Nursing & Midwifery
• Add any relevant experience related to social or healthcare
• Show that you've done your research about the course
• Be truthful, accurate and enthusiastic
• Style your writing in a formal and easy to read manner
• Check your spelling and grammar
Please remember that every institution you apply to receives the same personal statement. If Edinburgh Napier University is not the only one you are applying to, make sure you do not mention us or any other university by name. This seems obvious, but it can come across as unprofessional and there is no guarantee you will be accepted by your first choice.
Watch our video for further guidance and tips on writing your personal statement.
Interview
If shortlisted, you'll receive an invitation by email. This will be an online interview and will take approximately 2 hours.
The main selection activity is the group interview (with up to 12 candidates), lasting approximately one hour.
You will be asked to prepare a short verbal presentation (lasting 2-3 minutes) on a health-related topic and will be asked to consider what a nurse in your chosen field of practice, or midwife, can offer in this situation.
There will be an opportunity for wider discussion involving the whole group during the hour. The group interview will be observed by at least two members of staff who will score your performance. Demonstrating communication skills, verbal and non-verbal, is vital. Insights relating to health and the role and activity of the nurse/midwife must be included. In addition, the views, attitudes and values you express during the discussion will be noted.
The interview will also include an opportunity to chat with our current students to ask any questions you may have. There will also be a short private conversation with a member of the Recruitment Team.
Clearing
Clearing is another opportunity to find a place at university if you don't have any offers (or none you want to accept).
Clearing is available from 5 July and allows prospective students to submit applications to courses that still have availability. Visit our dedicated Clearing pages to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to qualify?
We’re the only university in Edinburgh to offer three year courses in Nursing & Midwifery.
Is there any financial support?
If you have been a resident in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years and have permission to stay, you could benefit from a non means-tested, non-repayable annual bursary of £10,000 per year for the duration of your course. Your fees would also be paid by the Scottish government. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, there are various bursaries available.
Is it difficult to get a job?
98.9% of our pre-registration Nursing & Midwifery students go straight into work or further study within six months of graduating (HESA 2016/17). In the UK, 16% of Learning Disability Nurse roles are vacant, so qualified Learning Disability Nursing graduates are highly sought after.
Are placements and jobs just in hospitals?
Care isn’t limited to hospitals. Nurses and midwives work in varied inpatient and community settings including schools, prisons, care homes and third sector organisations. These settings are as varied as the profession itself.
Are nursing and midwifery just for women?
Caring has no gender. With over 70,000 male nurses and midwives currently in the UK workforce (and even more in training), we are building a care system as diverse as the people who use it.
Am I too old to study nursing or midwifery?
You’re never too old to care! 25% of nursing and midwifery students at Edinburgh Napier are over 30. However, if you are concerned, we offer advice and support on a range of topics including childcare and placements, so you have everything you need to succeed.
What can I expect at the interview?
Interviews this year will be online interviews which will last approximately 2 hours. The main selection activity is the group interview (with up to 12 candidates), lasting approximately one hour. You will be asked to prepare a short verbal presentation (2-3 minutes) on a health related topic and will be asked to consider what a nurse in your chosen field of practice, or midwife, can offer in this situation.
How will I be taught?
At present we are mostly teaching online, however there are also some mandatory face-to-face classes. We hope to increase the on campus classes as public health guidance allows. In addition to this, 50% of your time in each year is spent out on placement.
How many placements do I have in a year?
Students have two placements in clinical practice each year. In preparation, time will be spent in our Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre (SCSC).
Where will my placements be?
All students will have placements across Lothian and the Borders. Child Health and Midwifery students also have placements in Fife and Forth Valley. Learning Disability students may have placements up the east coast of Scotland. This is to give you a wide experience of specialty and service delivery across different geographical locations.
How many holidays do I get while on the course?
You will have 7 weeks holiday in total, planned at Christmas, at Easter and 3 weeks in the summer.
Find out more about Nursing & Midwifery at Edinburgh Napier
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the application process, please call our advisor of studies on 0131 455 5382 or email nursingandmidwifery@napier.ac.uk.
Send us an email