Applying as a mature applicant

Mature applicants must be 23 years of age or over by 1 January 2026 to be considered for a place in an undergraduate education programme leading to an honours degree in nursing and midwifery. 

You must have a valid Central Applications Office (CAO) application number and must be successful in the three assessment tests outlined below. 

Due to the number of places available on the programmes, success at the assessment tests does not guarantee an offer of a place and the results may not be carried forward to a future year (unless a deferred entry has been granted by an education body). You must apply independently for the mature applicant's assessment tests via a link on the NMBI website in addition to your application to the CAO.  

The application process

Step 1: Complete an application to the CAO
Step 2: Using a valid CAO number, register for the assessment tests
Step 3: Complete the suite of assessment tests within the timeframe. 

Information for mature applicants 2026 

Mature applicants applying for nursing or midwifery undergraduate degree programmes in 2026 should familiarise themselves with the requirements. Information will be provided on this page in the coming weeks.   

Registration for the assessment tests will open in March and the assessment tests will take place online in April 2026.

The assessment tests

The tests will be delivered remotely online. This allows you to take them at your preferred location and time. 

The current assessment comprises of three separate tests: 

• verbal reasoning (also called understanding of basic instructions)  
• numeracy
• job simulation

To pass, applicants must reach a minimum score on each assessment test. Please note that the minimum score for each test will not be decided until the results of all the assessment tests have been analysed.