We understand that information is currently circulating on social media regarding possible NMC changes to the number of practice hours students will need to complete in the future.

It is important that you continue to work towards achieving 2300 hours.

Please do not make any assumptions that the hours requirement on your programme will be reduced. Your programme is validated to say you must complete 2300 hours to register. We have not currently received any indication from the NMC that this will change.

You will have an opportunity to share your views with the NMC when they open the consultation on programme hours in Spring 2026. You can use this opportunity to tell them what you think.

Please bear in mind that, even if the consultation shows there is a desire to move to reduce hours, implementing the decision would not happen immediately. The process of changes will involve amendments to legislation, professional standards and validation of changes to university programmes. All of this will take time, and the most likely outcome is that this will only affect new starters from 2027 onwards.

It is important that you continue aiming for 2300 hours in practice to give yourself the best opportunity to register and graduate on time.

Kind regards

Dr Lou Hunt

Director of Practice

The Leicester School of Nursing and Midwifery.