Quick Information
| University | University of Edinburgh; University of Toronto |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Varies by university — no single official figure verified; confirm on the official course page |
| Eligibility | Edinburgh: SQA Highers ABBB with National 5 English and Mathematics at C; interview for shortlisted candidates |
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
| Official Source | https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/113-nursing-studies |
What a BSc in Nursing Covers
A nursing degree prepares students to care for people who are ill, recovering or living with long-term conditions. Students study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, psychology and the evidence behind clinical decisions, and they spend a large part of the course on supervised placements in hospitals and community settings. At the University of Edinburgh, the Bachelor of Nursing with Honours reflects global, UK and Scottish perspectives on healthcare and follows the education standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). At the University of Toronto, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an accelerated programme for students who already have university study behind them.
How Long It Takes and What Degree You Receive
The two anchor programmes take different routes to the same goal. Edinburgh’s BN (Hons) lasts four years full-time, including placements throughout an extended academic year, and students complete 2,300 hours of practice learning. Toronto’s BScN is a two-year, full-time accelerated programme, but it is a second-entry degree: students cannot apply directly from high school and must already have completed at least two years of university study. The University of Melbourne offers a different graduate route again — a two-year Master of Nursing Science for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree — which shows how many paths into nursing exist.
Entry Requirements
Edinburgh asks for SQA Highers at ABBB by the end of S5, with National 5 English and Mathematics at grade C, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed. Students must also make annual declarations of good health and character to meet NMC requirements. Toronto’s BScN asks for at least 10.0 university credits, with 4.0 credits above first-year level, a mid-B average (about 75%, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the most recent 5.0 credits, and prerequisite courses in human physiology and anatomy, life sciences, social sciences and statistics. English-language evidence is required by both universities; the exact test and score must be checked on the official admissions pages. Applications to Edinburgh go through UCAS, and applications to Toronto go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC 105).
Registration After Graduation
A nursing degree is a professional qualification, and graduation is only one step. Edinburgh graduates who meet the requirements are eligible for registration with the NMC as an adult nurse. Toronto’s programme is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario, and graduates follow that College’s process for registration. Students who plan to work in a different country should check that country’s nursing regulator before applying, because recognition rules differ.
Where the Degree Can Lead
Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, community health services, schools, care homes and specialist units, and many go on to specialise — for example in children’s nursing, mental health, critical care or community nursing — after further study and experience. Some move into health education, research or management. Nursing is demanding work that requires care, judgement and resilience, and no degree guarantees a particular job or posting.
