Registered Nurse (Degree) Apprenticeship
Registered Nurse (Degree) Apprenticeship
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Registered Nurse (Degree) Apprenticeship
About the course
Become a registered adult nurse while you work. This apprenticeship lets employed healthcare staff earn a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) through part-time university study and practice placements, funded by the employer and government.
- Apprentices: train as a nurse without paying tuition fees.
- Employers: develop your workforce through a flexible, NMC-approved degree apprenticeship.
Overview
Registered Nurse Degree Apprentices are highly trained professionals who deliver safe, responsive care across a wide range of health and care settings.
UEL delivers this apprenticeship in partnership with NHS Trusts and health and social care organisations. Employers release apprentices to study part-time at university and to undertake practice placements that build the skills needed to become safe, effective, compassionate and competent adult nurses.
Delivery
The apprenticeship mirrors UEL’s full-time undergraduate nursing degree. Apprentices complete the same modules and assessments, but study part-time while employed.
On successful completion, you can apply to join the NMC professional register as an adult nurse. You must also pass the End Point Assessment (EPA) required for the apprenticeship.
Across the programme, you will:
develop academic knowledge in adult nursing;
learn in the workplace and in practice placements;
have protected practice learning (“supernumerary”) time alongside employment.
Your programme normally runs over four years. If you already have relevant prior learning or experience, you may be able to shorten your route through APL/APEL (up to 50 per cent of the programme).
On successful completion, you can apply to join the NMC professional register as an adult nurse. You must also pass the End Point Assessment (EPA) required for the apprenticeship.
Course specification
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements:
In line with the European Directive 2005/36/EC, applicants must have the required ten years of general education.
You will normally need:
- 112 UCAS tariff points, and
- Maths and English Language GCSE grade C/4 or above, or equivalent (for example, Functional Skills Maths and English at Level 2), or
- Access to Higher Education Diploma in nursing, health or social care, or science, with at least 60 credits (45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2) and a Merit/Distinction profile. The diploma must include Level 2 numeracy and literacy.
Apprenticeship-specific requirements:
You must also have:
- employer support and commitment to undertake the programme;
- evidence of Level 3 study or equivalent;
- Maths and English at the required level (GCSE C/4 or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent);
- a Care Certificate and/or equivalent healthcare experience;
- a literacy and numeracy test;
- an interview based on the 6 C’s and values-based practice;
- an employer reference;
- a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and occupational health clearance;
- good written and spoken English.
Fees and funding
Apprentices do not pay tuition fees.
Fees are paid by employers through the apprenticeship levy or co-investment:
Levy employers: £27,000 for the full programme (estimate), paid monthly from levy funds. This is around £562 per month.
- Non-levy employers: contact us to discuss funding and co-investment options.
Progression
After you achieve the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship standard and pass the EPA, you will be eligible to apply to the NMC for entry onto the professional register as a nurse.
How to get involved
For apprentices:
If you want to become a nurse through this route, you must be employed by a healthcare organisation that supports the apprenticeship. Speak to your employer first. We can also talk to your organisation about joining a future cohort.
Next step: ask your manager or workforce team about nurse degree apprenticeships, then contact us to discuss eligibility.
For employers:
We are flexible and responsive in how we deliver higher and degree apprenticeships, and we are happy to discuss your workforce needs.
Contact us
We are flexible and responsive in how we deliver higher and degree apprenticeships, and we are happy to discuss your workforce needs.
Get in touch if you:
- want to become an employer partner and recruit apprentices through UEL;
- want to join an existing nursing apprenticeship cohort;
- want to explore developing new apprenticeships and joining a Trailblazer group
Next step: contact us to plan your cohort and funding route.
degreeapprenticeships@uel.ac.uk
020 8223 2337
University of East London
Academic Partnerships Office
Docklands Campus, University Way
London E16 2RD
uel.ac.uk/apprenticeships
The information on this webpage reflects the course details as they are at the time of publication and is subject to change. The information is included as a guide to course content only.
FAQs
Do I apply through UCAS?
No. Apprentices apply through their employer. Your organisation works with UEL to recruit and enrol apprentices.
Can I apply if I already work in healthcare?
Yes. This route is designed for staff employed in health and social care who want to train as registered adult nurses.
What is “supernumerary” time?
It means protected practice learning time where you are not counted in staffing numbers, so you can focus on learning in placement settings.
Who pays the fees?
Your employer pays through levy funds or co-investment. Apprentices do not pay tuition fees.
What qualification and registration do I get?
You graduate with a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult). You must also pass the EPA. After that, you can apply for NMC registration as an adult nurse.