Skip to Main Content
Home Learning & Development Framework Learning and Development Matrix

Entry Pre-registration Nursing and Midwifery Programmes

Nursing

Northern Ireland has 3 Universities offering Pre-registration nursing programmes. For Queens University Belfast and Ulster University, applications are via UCAS. Each university website will provide guidance on the entry criteria including which GCSE’s, A-level’s or further education qualifications are required.  Following completion of the UCAS requirements, prospective students will be invited to an interview before being offered a place on the programme. The following links provide assistance on completion of the UCAS form and interview skills:

  • Ulster University
  • Queens University Belfast

The 3 Universities have developed a resource ‘Becoming a Nurse in Northern Ireland’ with further information.

Queens University Belfast (QUB)

  • 3 year undergraduate nursing degree programme
  • 2 year general entry masters (GEMS) programme for those who hold an Honours degree in any subject and who have experience in caring.
  • Programmes cover, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Children and Young People.
  • QUB Entry criteria can be found at Undergraduate Courses | School of Nursing and Midwifery | Queen’s University Belfast by selecting the relevant programme.

Ulster University (UU) (Derry-Londonderry Campus)

The Open University

  • 4 year undergraduate nursing degree programme in partnership with all five Health and Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland to provide Department of Health funded student nursing opportunities for staff employed in the Trusts.
  • Partnered with the independent sector to provide employer-funded places on the Pre-Registration Nursing Programme for staff employed in the independent sector.
  • Programmes cover, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Children and Young People.

Pre-Registration Nursing Programmes – How will you spend your time?

  • Students will spend 50% of their time in University learning the latest nursing theory and clinical skills, with the other 50% with training partners in a wide variety of hospital and community settings throughout Northern Ireland.
  • For those applicants applying from Northern Ireland and/or Republic of Ireland who meet the relevant criteria the programme is funded by the Department of Health to include full tuition fees and bursary. These students are referred to as commissioned students. Students on this programme are ineligible to apply for funding from the Student Loans Company.
  • The programme is not available on a part time basis. Teaching includes lectures, tutorials, seminars, reflective practice, role play and simulation with clinical placements throughout.
  • Assessment includes practice based learning, reflective writing, assignments and exams.
  • On successful completion of the programme, graduates are eligible to register with both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) in ROI.
Midwifery

A Pre-registration Midwifery Programme is solely delivered by QUB. Applications are via UCAS. The QUB website will provide guidance of the entry criteria including which GCSE’s, A-level’s or further education qualifications are required.  Following completion of the UCAS requirements, prospective students will be invited to an interview before being offered a place on the programme.

Pre-Registration Midwifery

This is a 3 year full time programme of which 50% takes place in university to prepare students for practice-based learning environments across a range of clinical settings including hospital and community and accounts for the other 50% of education.

This programme has fully funded commissioned places made available by the Department of Health for home students, including full fees and a bursary, subject to eligibility criteria. Students on this programme are ineligible to apply for funding from the Student Loans Company.

Queens University Belfast

Those who have previously commenced or completed a Department of Health paid place/bursary for a pre-registration nursing, midwifery or AHP course in Northern Ireland will not be eligible for a funded place on this programme.

On successful completion of the programme, graduates are eligible to register with both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) in ROI.

Entry requirements can be found at Midwifery | Courses | Queen’s University Belfast

Masters in Midwifery

This is a 2 year programme for NMC registered adult nurses currently employed in a HSC Trust in Northern Ireland who want to move into a career in midwifery. Entry requirements can be found at Masters in Midwifery | School of Nursing and Midwifery | Queen’s University Belfast

Also in this area Learning and Development Matrix

Accessibility Disclaimer Policies Equality