International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme 2025/2026 in Wales UK | Fully Funded
The International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme (IPRN) 2026 is open to internationally educated nurses and nursing students who want to complete a three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree at a Welsh university and work in NHS Wales after graduation. The programme is run by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) in partnership with six Welsh universities and the Welsh Government.
It covers all or part of your tuition fees for the full three years, pays a £1,000 annual study support grant, provides a one-time £500 relocation payment, and funds placement travel and accommodation costs. In return, you must commit to working in Wales for a minimum of 24 months after qualifying and registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. If you leave before completing your 24-month work commitment, you may be required to repay some or all of your tuition fees. Application deadlines vary by university — check the admissions page of your chosen Welsh university for the exact date.
Also Check: Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Scholarships Abroad for Beginners
Summary of the International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme (IPRN) |
| Host Country ⇒ | United Kingdom (Wales) |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate – Bachelor of Nursing (3 years, full-time) |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full or partial tuition fees, £1,000 annual study grant, £500 one-time relocation payment, placement travel and accommodation costs |
| Funded By ⇒ | Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) / Welsh Government |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All nationalities (international students only) |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Varies by university — check your chosen university’s admissions page |
About the International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme
The IPRN is run by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the statutory body responsible for planning and developing the NHS Wales workforce. The programme was approved by the Welsh Government in May 2023 as a three-year pilot project to address nursing workforce shortages in Wales.
Read About: Erasmus Mundus IMAPP Scholarship (Fully Funded)
The programme extends to international students the same NHS Wales Bursary arrangement that UK students have long received — funded nursing education in exchange for a commitment to work in NHS Wales after qualifying. Before the IPRN, this bursary was not available to international applicants. The 2026 intake is part of the pilot’s ongoing annual cycle, with the Welsh Government determining the number of international training places each year based on workforce need.
Six universities in Wales currently participate in the programme. Each university has its own entry requirements, admission process, and programme structure — the HEIW funding is accessed through the university, not applied for separately at the start.
Apply for: ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) | Fully Funded
What the Programme Covers
The programme provides the following:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage for your three-year Bachelor of Nursing degree at your chosen Welsh university — the exact amount depends on which university you attend
- A £1,000 annual financial support payment to help with study costs, paid each academic year
- A one-time £500 payment on arrival to assist with relocation and settling-in costs
- Financial assistance for placement-related travel and accommodation costs, in line with the HEIW Placement Expenses Guide
- University support for accommodation arrangements
Check out: Swedish Institute Scholarship For Global Professionals | Fully Funded
One important detail on tuition coverage: the programme covers all or part of tuition depending on the university. Contact the admissions team at your chosen university to confirm the exact tuition coverage before you apply — do not assume full coverage applies at every institution.
Travel and accommodation expenses are not subject to repayment unless HEIW determines you were ineligible for them in the first place.
Repayment Conditions
You must complete 24 months of suitable employment in Wales after graduating and registering with the NMC. If you do not, you may be required to repay some or all of your tuition fees.
Repayment is triggered if you leave Wales before completing the 24-month work period, or if you fail to secure suitable employment within the agreed timeframe.
You may be exempt from repayment in three circumstances: if you are unable to complete the programme due to course failure, if exceptional circumstances such as severe illness prevent you from completing your work commitment, or if no suitable NHS Wales employment is available to you on completion. The decision on exemptions is made solely by HEIW.
International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of the following to apply:
- You must be an international student — you must not have already started or completed a nursing course in the UK that led to NMC registration
- You must be willing to study full-time in Wales for three years
- You must commit to working in Wales for a minimum of 24 months after completing your degree and registering with the NMC
- You must meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen Welsh university, including English language proficiency
- You must be prepared to complete all theory and clinical practice outcomes each academic year — failing modules may result in additional tuition costs falling to you personally, and may have visa implications
Eligible Universities
Six universities in Wales offer the International Pre-Registration Nursing programme under this funding arrangement:
Also Read: University of Malta Scholarships | How to Apply
- Aberystwyth University
- Bangor University
- Cardiff University
- Swansea University
- University of South Wales
- Wrexham University
Each university has its own entry requirements, English language thresholds, and application processes. Visit the nursing programme page of each university directly and contact their admissions teams before applying. Do not assume that eligibility at one university means eligibility at another.
Required Documents
Document requirements vary between universities. The following are generally required across all six institutions — confirm the exact list with your chosen university before submitting:
- Certified copies of your academic qualifications — secondary school certificate or equivalent
- English language proficiency test results (IELTS or TOEFL) meeting your chosen university’s minimum threshold
- Personal statement explaining your motivation for pursuing a nursing career and your commitment to working in Wales after qualifying
- Two academic or professional references
- Copy of a valid passport
- Health and immunisation records, including documentation of required vaccinations and a recent health check
- Police clearance certificate from your home country
Check Out: University College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarships | How to Apply
One practical warning: the police clearance certificate and health records are documents that take time to obtain in many countries. In Nigeria, for example, a police clearance certificate from the Nigeria Police Force can take four to eight weeks to process. Start gathering these documents as soon as you decide to apply — waiting until the week before the deadline is a common reason applications are submitted incomplete.
How to Apply for the International Pre-Registration Nursing Programme 2026
- Review the six participating universities listed above and identify which nursing programme and location suits you. You are applying to a specific university, not to HEIW directly.
- Go to the nursing programme page of your chosen university and read their specific entry requirements and English language criteria for international applicants.
- Contact the university’s admissions team to confirm your eligibility for the IPRN funding and to ask about their application timeline.
- Submit your application for the Bachelor of Nursing degree programme directly through your chosen university’s admissions portal.
- Once you receive an offer of admission, follow the university’s guidance on applying for the HEIW International Pre-Registration Nurse funding — this step happens after your admission offer, not before.
- Submit all required supporting documents — transcripts, English language results, personal statement, references, passport copy, health records, and police clearance — by the university’s stated deadline.
- Await confirmation from both the university and HEIW. If accepted into the funded programme, follow all instructions provided by both organisations regarding your visa, arrival, and programme start.
Also apply for: SOAS University of London Hyundai Motor Group Scholarship in UK | Fully Funded
Application Deadline
Deadlines vary by university and academic year. There is no single IPRN application deadline — each of the six participating universities sets its own admissions timeline for the 2026 intake. Check the admissions pages of each university you are considering and contact their international admissions teams directly for confirmed dates.
Check out and Apply: University College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarships | How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IPRN nursing programme fully funded?
The programme covers all or part of your tuition fees depending on which Welsh university you attend, plus a £1,000 annual study grant, a £500 one-time relocation payment, and placement travel and accommodation costs. It is not a full living cost scholarship — you will need to budget for accommodation and daily expenses beyond what the programme provides. Confirm the exact tuition coverage with your chosen university before applying.
Can Nigerian nurses apply for the IPRN programme?
Yes. The programme is open to international students from all countries, including Nigeria. You must not have previously started or completed a UK nursing course leading to NMC registration. You must meet the English language and academic entry requirements of your chosen Welsh university, and you must be prepared to commit to 24 months of work in Wales after qualifying.
What happens if I leave Wales before completing my 24-month work commitment?
You may be required to repay some or all of your tuition fees. The exact repayment amount depends on how much of the 24-month period you completed. Exemptions exist for course failure, severe illness, or cases where no suitable NHS Wales employment was made available — but these are granted at HEIW’s sole discretion.
Apply for: SOAS University of London Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship in UK (Fully Funded)
Do I apply to HEIW or to the university?
You apply to the university first. The HEIW funding is accessed through your chosen university after you receive an admission offer — it is not a separate application you submit to HEIW at the start of the process. Contact your chosen university’s admissions team for guidance on how the funding application works at their institution.
Can I choose which part of Wales I work in after graduating?
The commitment is to work in Wales generally — the requirement is 24 months of suitable employment in Wales registered with the NMC. The specific placement or employer will depend on NHS Wales workforce needs and available positions at the time of your graduation. Confirm the exact terms of the post-qualification work requirement with HEIW or your chosen university before accepting a place.
Disclaimer: All programme details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and participating university websites as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
Official Application Portal
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
