Tests of Change
Driving sustainable change for nurses and midwives across Scotland.
Explore Scotland’s ongoing Tests of Change - innovative projects designed to trial new approaches in nursing and midwifery education and workforce development. Here you’ll find a clear overview for each programme, along with timelines that show when key milestones will be delivered.
On this page explore:
Have a question or feedback?
If you have any questions about the information provided, or feedback on this website, please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Policy Team at the Scottish Government NMTenquiries@gov.scot.
Tests of Change Overview
The NMT includes Recommended Actions focusing on the attraction and retention of staff and students, as well as developing alternative routes to widen access into nursing and midwifery educational pathways, and to encourage an increase in applications from those who may otherwise have found it challenging to pursue these careers.
There has been some progress against the Recommended Actions that support this aim. Work is now underway nationally to deliver test of change proposals which will not only support alternative routes to nursing education but will also enable a greater understanding of how to encourage recruitment to the profession.
These tests include collaborations with the college sector to enhance entry to Year 1 of nursing programmes; efforts to enhance and promote remote and rural recruitment and retention, including delivery of satellite education; alongside the development of work-based nursing education programmes.
Work is also now underway with midwifery colleagues in the form of a Test of Change short life working group to support similar discussion and innovation for midwifery pre-registration education.
Higher Education Institutions Test of Change Proposal by Academic Year
The following Higher Education Institutes submitted Test of Change proposals for academic years 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.
| Academic Year Commencement / Implementation | Higher Education Institutes | Test of Change Proposal |
| 2025 / 2026 | Edinburgh Napier University | Test of Change 1: Research - Developing a Quality Improvement Tool for Student Recruitment (no approval required by NMC) |
| 2027 / 2028 | Test of Change 2: Satellite Delivery of Learning Disability Pre-Registration Education (subject to approval by NMC) | |
| 2025 / 2026 | Glasgow Caledonian University | Hybrid Earn as You Learn Pathway for Pre-Registration Learning Disabilities Nursing Education (approved by NMC) |
| 2025 / 2026 | The Open University | Enabling Entry to Stage 2 of an Earns as You Learn Nursing Degree Programme (no approval required from NMC) |
| 2025 / 2026 | University of the Highlands and Islands | Test of Change 1: Widening Access – Upskilling Healthcare Support Workers (no approval required from NMC) |
| 2027 / 2028 | Test of Change 2: Online Programme Delivery Promoting Remote and Rural Recruitment and Access to Education (subject to approval by NMC) | |
| 2025 / 2026 | University of Stirling and Forth Valley College | Development of an Intensive Fast-Track Programme to Support Entry to Year 1 Nursing Degree Programmes (no approval required from NMC) |
| 2025 / 2026 | University of the West of Scotland | Supporting Articulation of Year 2 Nursing Programmes (no approval required from NMC) |
| 2026 / 2027 | Queen Margaret University | Development of a Flexible Entry Earn as You Learn Programme (Professional Development Award Students) in collaboration with College Partners and Boards (subject to approval by NMC) |
| 2026 / 2027 | University of Dundee | Development of a Work Integrated Learning Programme (Earn as You Learn) (subject to approval by NMC) |
| 2027 / 2028 | Robert Gordon University | Test of Change 1: Earn as You Learn for School Leavers (subject to approval by NMC) |
| Test of Change 2: Flexible Online Delivery (subject to approval by NMC) | ||
Please click on each logo to view further details about each Higher Education Institutes Test of Change Proposal.
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