The standards framework was written to give Approved education institutions (AEIs) and practice learning partners the flexibility to develop creative approaches to education. At the same time, they allow institutions to be accountable for the local delivery and management of NMC-approved programmes in line with our programme standards.
Our updated Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education, which includes a new standard on safeguarding, was approved by our Council at its meeting on 25 January 2023 and can now be implemented by AEIs.
If you want to print the standards without using too much ink and paper, we have printer friendly versions available below:
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to email educationandstandards@nmc-uk.org
Why our standards are important
Our education and training standards help nursing, midwifery and nursing associate students achieve the NMC standards of proficiency and programme outcomes.
All nursing, midwifery and nursing associate professionals must practise in line with the requirements of the Code, the professional standards of practice and behaviour that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are expected to uphold.
The standards for education and training includes the standards framework for nursing and midwifery education, standards for student supervision and assessment, and programme standards specific to each approved programme.
Our Standards for education and training are set out in three parts:
- Part 1: Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education
- Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment
- Part 3: Programme standards
Supporting information
We have written supporting information for some of our education and training standards, which includes information about simulated practice learning, safeguarding and midwifery practice placements. This information is updated regularly.
Our supporting information sets out possible ways that our standards may be met, but they are not a series of expectations for what ‘must’ be done. They are merely a guide to help AEIs in providing programmes that will give students the right skills and knowledge to meet our standards of proficiency.
Visit our standards for education and training supporting information hub
Our education programme standards webinars
We hosted a series of webinars to help outline the changes we made to the education standards in 2023 following the departure of the UK from the EU.
The updated standards for pre-registration nursing programmes: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes made to nursing and nursing associate programme standards so that AEIs have the ability to make relevant updates to their programmes as outlined in our new standards.
The updated standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes made to the midwifery programme standards so that AEIs have the ability to make relevant updates to their programmes as outlined in our new standards.
The new standards for simulated learning: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes being made to simulated practice learning for nursing programmes only.
How these standards were developed
Since 2016 we have been developing our standards with input from stakeholders across the UK.
Find out more about how the standards were developed.
