University of the Highlands and Islands Nursing Degrees, Entry & Fees (2026)
University of the Highlands and Islands offers Adult and Mental Health Nursing from Inverness and Stornoway, with Scottish, rest-of-UK and UK-resident international fee statuses set separately and no Student Route visa sponsorship for this course. Regulator: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
University of the Highlands and Islands offers Adult and Mental Health Nursing from Inverness and Stornoway, with Scottish, rest-of-UK and UK-resident international fee statuses set separately and no Student Route visa sponsorship for this course.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of the Highlands and Islands
University of the Highlands and Islands is a UK higher-education provider offering pre-registration nursing degree routes in Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands). This guide focuses on NMC field programmes, UCAS entry points, fees, and practice learning partners from official university sources reviewed for 2026.
University of the Highlands and Islands offers Adult and Mental Health Nursing from Inverness and Stornoway, with Scottish, rest-of-UK and UK-resident international fee statuses set separately and no Student Route visa sponsorship for this course.
Successful completion of an approved pre-registration nursing programme leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in your chosen field of practice.
Reasons students choose University of the Highlands and Islands
NMC field routes
Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing — choose the field that matches your intended area of practice.
Campus & city
Teaching linked to Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands). Campuses: Centre for Rural Health Sciences — Inverness (UHI House) and Stornoway (UHI North, West and Hebrides). Adult Nursing is delivered at both sites; Mental Health Nursing is delivered at Inverness.
NHS practice learning
Practice learning includes NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and some placements in the Moray area of NHS Grampian.
Nursing Programmes Offered
UK nursing degrees are organised by NMC field of practice: Adult, Children’s, Mental Health, and Learning Disabilities (plus dual-field or integrated master’s routes where offered). Below are the field routes confirmed as offered for University of the Highlands and Islands in sources reviewed for this guide.
Pre-registration
Adult Nursing
Offered — Adult Nursing BSc (UCAS B740) at the Centre for Rural Health Sciences in Inverness and Stornoway.
Mental Health Nursing
Offered — Mental Health Nursing BSc (UCAS B760) at the Centre for Rural Health Sciences in Inverness.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| UCAS course codes | Adult Nursing B740; Mental Health Nursing B760. |
| Degree apprenticeship | Confirm with the university and local NHS employers whether a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is available for your intake — places are employer-sponsored and limited. |
| Delivery | campus |
This guide lists field routes offered in sources reviewed for 2026. See the official University of the Highlands and Islands course page and the NMC for any later changes.
NMC Registration & Programme Status
Graduates of approved pre-registration programmes apply to join the NMC register in their field of practice.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) |
| Registration pathway | Complete an approved pre-registration programme, then apply to join the NMC register |
| Fields listed on this guide | Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing |
| Source / next step | nmc.org.uk · Joining the register |
Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and nurses educated outside the UK differ from home applicants. Use this as a checklist — not immigration or licensing advice.
For University of the Highlands and Islands: UHI BSc Nursing is not available to applicants who need Student Route visa sponsorship. International fee-status students already resident in the UK without Student Route sponsorship needs should confirm eligibility, English requirements and the £17,970 fee on the course page.
- English-language proficiency: Many UK nursing courses require IELTS 7.0 overall (often with minimum component scores); check the exact standard on the University of the Highlands and Islands course page.
- Academic credentials: Overseas qualifications may need evaluation; follow university admissions guidance.
- NMC (overseas-qualified nurses): If you already trained abroad and want UK registration, follow the NMC’s overseas route (which may include CBT/OSCE). That path is separate from starting a UK student nursing degree.
- Student visa: The course must be eligible for a Student visa and practice placements must meet visa conditions.
Policies change. Use University of the Highlands and Islands’s international office and the NMC for final checks.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-registration nursing at University of the Highlands and Islands is typically competitive. Applications for most full-time undergraduate routes go through UCAS. Expect academic thresholds plus values-based interview, occupational health, and a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme check.
Application route
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Application system | UCAS (Clearing / alternative routes may open later in the cycle) |
| UCAS course codes | Adult Nursing B740; Mental Health Nursing B760. |
| Typical entry requirements | Maths: National 5/Intermediate 2 grade C+, Standard Grade (3+), or GCSE (C+); for HNC-entry route: Healthcare Practice HNC preferred (any health/science-related HNC considered), plus SQA National 5 English and Maths grade C / equivalent; pre-course learning accepted in lieu of standard English/Maths quals if needed to meet NMC numeracy/literacy requirements |
| Additional checks | Interview, occupational health, Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme check |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UK nursing fees differ for home and international students. Figures below come from sources reviewed for this guide; universities update fees by academic year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Home tuition | Scottish students who meet residency and first-degree nursing criteria normally have tuition covered (via SAAS). Self-funding Scottish students pay £1,820/year. Rest-of-UK (RUK) tuition for 2026/27 is £9,790/year. Confirm fee status with UHI and SAAS. |
| International tuition | £17,970/year for 2026/27 for students living in the UK who are assessed as international fee status. The course is not available to students who require Student Route visa sponsorship. |
| SAAS student support | Scottish nursing funding and fee status are handled via SAAS / Scottish Government rules — confirm for your domicile. See SAAS student support |
| Source | University of the Highlands and Islands course / fees pages (checked 24 July 2026) |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
After completing an approved programme, graduates apply for NMC registration in their field and typically seek NHS Band 5 (or equivalent) roles. Where graduate-outcome figures were sourced for University of the Highlands and Islands, they are shown below with attribution; otherwise see university and Discover Uni / Graduate Outcomes publications.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduate / satisfaction snapshot | Check National Student Survey (NSS) / Discover Uni subject pages for nursing at this university for the latest student voice indicators. |
| Registration pathway | Apply to join the NMC register after an approved pre-registration programme |
| Source | University publications / Discover Uni / Graduate Outcomes where cited |
Is University of the Highlands and Islands the Right Fit for You?
Use this as a practical fit check for studying nursing at University of the Highlands and Islands in Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands).
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a UK pre-registration degree leading toward NMC registration in Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing.
- Can commit to academic study plus substantial NHS / practice placement hours.
- Prefer studying in or near Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands).
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot commit to the full-time study and placement pattern of a pre-registration nursing degree.
- Cannot meet interview, PVG, or occupational health requirements.
- Are seeking a field of practice University of the Highlands and Islands does not currently offer.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
UK nursing degrees rely on practice learning with NHS trusts and other approved placement providers around Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands) and the wider region.
| Partner / setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Practice placement partners | Practice learning includes NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and some placements in the Moray area of NHS Grampian. |
| Region | Highlands and Islands, Scotland |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing at University of the Highlands and Islands is taught from the campuses/sites noted below, with time split between university learning and practice placements.
Main campus(es)
UHI nursing is taught at Inverness and Stornoway rural health campuses, with Highland, Western Isles and some Grampian placements.
Open days are useful for seeing simulation facilities, placement travel times, and nursing-specific student support.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary city / campus
- Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands)
- County / area
- Highlands and Islands, Scotland
- Website
- https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/bsc-nursing/
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the official University of the Highlands and Islands nursing page and note which NMC field you will apply for.
- Match the UCAS course code(s) and entry tariff/GCSE requirements for your chosen field.
- Check the course remains an approved pre-registration route via the university and NMC resources.
- Plan interview preparation and gather care-experience evidence if the course asks for it.
- Compare home vs international fees and SAAS student support eligibility for your nation of study.
- Map travel time from campus to likely placement areas around Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands).
- Set a reminder for the UCAS deadline for your target entry year.
Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does nursing at University of the Highlands and Islands cost?
Home tuition in sources checked for this guide: Scottish students who meet residency and first-degree nursing criteria normally have tuition covered (via SAAS). Self-funding Scottish students pay £1,820/year. Rest-of-UK (RUK) tuition for 2026/27 is £9,790/year. Confirm fee status with UHI and SAAS. International: £17,970/year for 2026/27 for students living in the UK who are assessed as international fee status. The course is not available to students who require Student Route visa sponsorship. Scottish nursing funding and fee status are handled via SAAS / Scottish Government rules — confirm for your domicile. See SAAS student support. Figures and course details on this page reflect official university and UCAS sources checked on 24 July 2026. Awards, fees, codes and intake openness can change — verify the live course page before you apply.
What are the entry requirements for University of the Highlands and Islands nursing?
Typical requirements noted for University of the Highlands and Islands: Maths: National 5/Intermediate 2 grade C+, Standard Grade (3+), or GCSE (C+); for HNC-entry route: Healthcare Practice HNC preferred (any health/science-related HNC considered), plus SQA National 5 English and Maths grade C / equivalent; pre-course learning accepted in lieu of standard English/Maths quals if needed to meet NMC numeracy/literacy requirements. Nursing applications usually also involve interview, occupational health clearance, and a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme check.
Is University of the Highlands and Islands nursing approved by the NMC?
UK pre-registration nursing degrees must lead to eligibility to apply for NMC registration. Check that your chosen University of the Highlands and Islands programme remains an approved route via the university and the NMC.
Where do University of the Highlands and Islands nursing students go on placement?
Placement partners noted for University of the Highlands and Islands: Practice learning includes NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and some placements in the Moray area of NHS Grampian. Trust allocation can vary by cohort and field.
Does University of the Highlands and Islands accept international applicants for nursing?
UHI BSc Nursing is not available to applicants who need Student Route visa sponsorship. International fee-status students already resident in the UK without Student Route sponsorship needs should confirm eligibility, English requirements and the £17,970 fee on the course page. Applicants who already have an eligible UK immigration status should confirm their English-language and fee-status requirements directly with the university.
What is the difference between Adult and Mental Health Nursing at University of the Highlands and Islands?
NMC field routes prepare you for registration in a specific field of practice. At University of the Highlands and Islands, offered fields include: Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. Choose the field that matches the patient group and care setting you want to work in after registration.
Does University of the Highlands and Islands offer a nursing degree apprenticeship?
Confirm with the university and local NHS employers whether a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is available for your intake — places are employer-sponsored and limited.
Where is University of the Highlands and Islands nursing taught?
Inverness, Scotland (Highlands and Islands). Centre for Rural Health Sciences — Inverness (UHI House) and Stornoway (UHI North, West and Hebrides). Adult Nursing is delivered at both sites; Mental Health Nursing is delivered at Inverness.
Are there NHS bursaries or grants for University of the Highlands and Islands nursing students?
Scottish nursing funding and fee status are handled via SAAS / Scottish Government rules — confirm for your domicile. See SAAS student support.
References
- University of the Highlands and Islands — official course / provider pagehttps://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/bsc-nursing/
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)nmc.org.uk
- NMC — joining the registerRegistration guidance
- UCASucas.com
- SAAS student supporthttps://www.saas.gov.uk/
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for clarity and alignment with publicly available university, UCAS, and NMC information for UK pre-registration nursing.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, immigration, or financial advice. Programme approval, fees, deadlines, and entry criteria change; always verify with University of the Highlands and Islands and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Last reviewed: 25 July 2026· Review Process · Editorial Policy