A new fast-track course is aiming to address the shortage of nursing undergraduates.
The six-month programme, designed to help learners progress into the first year of a BSc Nursing degree, is being developed through a partnership between Forth Valley College (FVC) and the University of Stirling.
The course is aimed at individuals who want to study nursing but do not currently possess the qualifications for direct entry into the undergraduate programme.
Sarah Higgins, vice principal of learning and student experience at FVC, said: "The course is designed to address a shortage of nursing undergraduates across Scotland.
"Forth Valley College will support and encourage students who complete the programme to join the degree at the University of Stirling in Adult/Mental Health Nursing.
"This course is a valuable initiative to bridge the gap in nursing undergraduates, offering a tailored curriculum that combines foundational core skills knowledge with essential academic skills development.
"It serves as an accessible pathway for individuals passionate about nursing, providing them with the tools to succeed in the undergraduate nursing program at the University of Stirling."
The scheme is backed by a £64,758 Test of Change grant awarded to the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership.
The funding will support the design, development, and planning phase, including curriculum creation, recruitment strategies, and partnership coordination.
The first cohort is expected to begin in August 2026, with a second group starting in January 2027.
Potential candidates include school leavers progressing from health and social care pathways, adult returners seeking to re-enter education, and career changers looking to move into nursing.
The curriculum will cover numeracy, communication, mental health and wellbeing, physiology, and the structure of the human body.
Applicants must have at least one Higher at grade C or above, preferably in English or another discursive subject.
A clear PVG (self-declaration) is also required.
The course places a strong emphasis on academic study skills and personal development, helping students understand how they learn.
All students who meet the criteria to join the Fast-Track programme and subsequently complete the course and achieve a pass, will be offered a place on the BSc Nursing Programme at the University of Stirling – no further interview is required.
The new programme will join a range of existing opportunities developed through the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership.
Further information can be obtained by emailing ailsa.elliott@forthvalley.ac.uk or kim.reid@forthvalley.ac.uk.
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