Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) – Memorial University of Newfoundland

SpaceCat Fit Notes

1. CASPer: NOT required for 2026 intake. “The CASPer test will NOT be required for the 2026 nursing admissions intake.” This removes one of SpaceCat’s potential advantages. details
2. GPA window & upgrading strategy: Post-secondary applicants need minimum 70% average from either (a) one semester of the calendar year prior (min 3 courses), or (b) cumulative average – whichever is higher. University performance takes precedence over HS marks. 30 credit hours of university courses required. Favourable “higher of semester vs cumulative” calculation. details
3. Experiential / written advantage: None – grades-based. details
4. Out-of-province: “Priority for admission is given to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.” NL resident priority limits OOP seats. Very low tuition even for OOP (~$3,740/year). details
5. Overall assessment: Moderate fit – THE KEY QUESTION: Memorial uses the HIGHER of (a) a single semester’s average (min 3 courses from the prior calendar year) or (b) cumulative average. This is favourable: SpaceCat could take one strong semester (3+ courses at 70%+) in the year before application and have that be her admission average. The 70% threshold is relatively low. However, CASPer is NOT required for 2026, removing SpaceCat’s strongest non-academic asset. NL residency priority limits OOP seats. The accelerated option is paused at MUN St. John’s (only available at Western Regional). Six campus sites across NL increase total seats but require NL relocation. Very low tuition (~$3,740/year OOP) is a plus. The “higher of” GPA calculation plus low tuition offset the NL priority restriction somewhat.

“The CASPer test will NOT be required for the 2026 nursing admissions intake.”

“Priority for admission is given to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, but we welcome applications from out of province and international students.”

Quick Facts

• Institution: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) – Collaborative Program, Four-Year Option
• Degree granted: BScN
• City, Province: St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Program type: Standard (4-year, collaborative across 6 sites)
• Duration: 4 years
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
• Language of instruction: English
• Start date(s): Fall (September)
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Application deadline(s): January 20 (for Fall 2026). Document deadline: February 3.
• Application system: Direct to Memorial University
• Program URL: https://www.mun.ca/nursingadmissions/
• Accredited: Yes – CASN accredited

Admission Requirements

GPA

• Minimum GPA: 70% average (competitive level). Calculated as the HIGHER of: (a) a single semester average (min 3 courses completed) from the calendar year prior to admission, or (b) cumulative average.
• Competitive GPA (if known): ~70%+ to be competitive (per admission page)
• GPA calculated on: The higher of a recent semester or cumulative average. “Applicants should have a 70% average or higher from either one semester of the calendar year previous to the one they are seeking admission to, where a minimum of three courses were completed, OR as a cumulative average.”

“Applicants should have a 70% average or higher from either one semester of the calendar year previous to the one they are seeking admission to, where a minimum of three courses were completed, OR as a cumulative average.”

• Number of credits in GPA window: One semester (~3-5 courses) OR cumulative – whichever is higher. This is very favourable for upgrading.
• GPA scale used: Percentage
• Do post-degree upgrading courses count? Yes (implied) – “one semester of the calendar year previous” includes any post-secondary courses taken.
• “Entire record” caveat? Cumulative is one option, but the “higher of” mechanism means a strong recent semester can override the cumulative.

Prerequisites

Post-secondary applicants must have: - 30 credit hours at university level (completed by end of Spring semester in year of applying) - Including 12 credit hours from: Critical Reading and Writing, Sociology/Anthropology/Archaeology, Psychology, Human Biosciences, Microbiology, Statistics, and Philosophy/Religious Studies

Also required (can be from high school if already completed): - Biology (Grade 11 and 12 equivalents) - Chemistry (Grade 12 equivalent) - Math (Grade 12 equivalent)

“If applicants already completed both Grade 11 and Grade 12 biology, Grade 12 chemistry, and Grade 12 math in high school, post-secondary coursework in these subjects is not required.”

CASPer

NOT required for 2026 intake.

“The CASPer test will NOT be required for the 2026 nursing admissions intake.”

For SpaceCat: This removes a key potential advantage. Without CASPer, admission is purely academic.

Supplementary Requirements

• Interview: Not required
• Personal statement: Not required
• Other: Standard clinical requirements

How Applications Are Evaluated

• Admission model: Academic merit-based. The “higher of” semester/cumulative average determines ranking.
• Published formula: None beyond the GPA calculation method
• NL resident priority applies

Mature Student Pathway

Not detailed on the post-secondary applicant page.

The Key Question: BA Holder with Strong HS Marks

Memorial uses university performance over HS marks for post-secondary applicants: “university performance takes precedence over high school marks when post-secondary courses are completed.” HS marks are only used for prerequisite verification (Bio, Chem, Math) if not completed at the post-secondary level.

SpaceCat’s strong HS marks satisfy the prerequisite requirements (Bio, Chem, Math) but do NOT help with ranking. Her ranking is based on the higher of her cumulative or single-semester average. If she takes one strong semester (3+ courses at 70%+), that can be her admission average.

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions or quotas: “Priority for admission is given to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.” OOP applicants are welcome but deprioritized.
• Out-of-province tuition differential: Memorial is known for very low tuition. Out-of-province domestic: ~$374/course (Fall 2025), increasing ~4% annually. At 10 courses/year: ~$3,740/year. This is among the lowest tuition in Canada.
• Six sites across NL: More total seats than most programs, but distributed across remote locations.

Source

Cost

• Tuition (total program, approximate): ~$15,000-$16,000 domestic over 4 years (~$3,740/year OOP)
• Very low tuition – among the cheapest in Canada for nursing

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: Distributed across 6 sites (MUN St. John’s, CNS St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay). Total seats not published.
• NL resident priority significantly limits OOP competitiveness

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

• Placements guaranteed? Yes
• Settings: NL healthcare system across multiple regions

Licensing & Career Path

• Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
• Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes

Reputation & Notes

• Very low tuition makes this financially attractive
• Multiple campus sites across NL, including very remote locations
• Accelerated option PAUSED at MUN St. John’s; only available at Western Regional School of Nursing (Corner Brook)
• Well-established collaborative program

Information Not Found

• Exact number of OOP seats
• How competitive admission is for OOP applicants specifically
• Whether the accelerated option will resume at MUN St. John’s
• Specific courses that satisfy the 12 credit hours of required subjects

Contact: Nursing Admissions Office – nursingadmissions@mun.ca

Sources

• Official admissions page: Memorial Nursing Admissions
• Post-secondary applicants: Memorial Other Post-Secondary Students
• Program information: Memorial BScN Program
• University calendar: Memorial Nursing Calendar 2025-2026
• Undergraduate programs: Memorial BScN Four-Year Option
• Tuition: Memorial Tuition 2025-2026