Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship - Nursing Science/ Registered Nurse (Adult) BSc (Hons)
18 Months Full-Time | April 2026 & September 2026

Throughout the programme, apprentices will experience a range of creative and challenging learning opportunities in different environments. This enables apprentices to grow, personally and professionally, within safe and supportive spaces.

Our concept-based approach allows apprentices to build the complexity of their understanding gradually throughout their studies. Apprentices will be introduced to the key concepts of nursing, which have been structured around the seven platforms of the NMC (2018) standards. It will encourage questions and critical thinking, establishing a healthy learning habit that will last throughout their career. Topics covered over the 18 months programme will include:

• Clinical skills for complex care
• Developing shared decision making in Adult Nursing
• Leadership, quality and teamwork
• Leading and improving safety and care quality
• Advancing nursing skills

Assessments will be balanced between theory and practice, with a mixture of essays, exams, OSCE and presentations evenly spaced through the year. Following the degree, apprentices will complete an endpoint assessment. The endpoint assessment provides the opportunity for apprentices to showcase evidence of the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship. The endpoint assessment comprises a reflective essay and a professional discussion and is to be completed within 3 months of graduation.  

Full details on the modules for each year of the programme can be found below.

End Point Assessment

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2020) state that - Rigorous, robust and independent End Point Assessment (EPA) gives employers confidence that apprentices can actually perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard. For details of the current EPA for your standard please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

The programme is delivered by a specialist team of nursing academics and clinicians who will support apprentices at every stage.

Our professional team have a wealth of experience, who are registrants with the NMC and are actively engaged with research. They share a passion for nursing and health care, which is naturally passed to apprentices.      

Throughout the degree, apprentices will have access to ongoing support through a Programme Leader, dedicated Personal Tutor and our Practice Learning Team (PLT).

Apprentices will reap the benefits of workplace learning and to add to this they will have access to our Clinical Skills Centre, based at Coach Lane campus that includes some of the most advanced healthcare facilities in the country. Facilities that ensures learning will progress in parallel with the latest developments in the healthcare industry. Its virtual reality equipment, High Fidelity Simulated Mannequins (SimMan, SimJunior and SimBaby), and immersive technologies will allow apprentices to practise skills and develop confidence in clinical ability within a safe environment.

University study will make-up 20% of the apprentice’s weekly learning and timely face-to-face contact will be essential.  Attendance at tutor-led sessions is very important, however as employees, we appreciate apprentices may unavoidably miss an occasionally taught class, therefore, all learning and teaching materials will be available via a virtual classroom and accessible to students remotely. Apprentices will also be allocated an academic coach who will provide support in respect of academic development.

Whilst on campus, apprentices will have access to the University’s exceptional facilities including social spaces, IT facilities and lecture theatres and not forgetting 24/7 access to our award winner University Library. 

In partnership with Northumbria University, the employer will support the apprentice at work to achieve their apprenticeship. The apprentice will work 22.5 hours per week in clinical practice, 7.5 hours studying theory and 7.5 hours within directed learning. They will be supported through learning at work to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.

The programme will run for 18 months and delivery will include a minimum of 20% time away from the workplace developing theory to relate to practice. Apprentices will be allocated blocks of placements, which will include allocated study time, either experiencing face-to-face teaching or undertaking self-directed study working on online learning materials.

In the workplace, apprentices will be supported by a mentor and colleagues. Both apprentice and their line manager will be supported by Northumbria University throughout the programme, including access to online support materials for line managers. Apprentices will also meet with their manager/mentor and individual professional development coach in the workplace at least four times each year.

During the programme, many assessments are work-based and aligned to the context and activity of the organisation, leading to increased organisational understanding and performance by the apprentice whilst ensuring they develop new skills and enhance productivity and performance.

To complete the programme, the apprentice will have to demonstrate that they have obtained the relevant skills, knowledge and behaviour required during their workplace training.

Whilst off-campus and in the workplace, apprentices will have access to our technology-enhanced learning (TEL) facilities provide access to module information, electronic reading lists and online learning resources such as podcasts, e-books and e-journals.

The employer covers all tuition fees for the apprentice, the total payment required depends on the organisation’s apprenticeship levy status.

Apprentices studying an apprenticeship do not pay any tuition fees, however, as they are in full-time employment they do not have student status and therefore are not entitled to apply for student finance.  

To discuss the fees for this apprenticeship in detail or to explore signing an agreement with the university, complete the enquiry form below and someone from our Business and Enterprise team will be in touch shortly.

We guide both employer and apprentice through the application and funding process and will be on hand to assist you during the apprenticeship journey.

To start the application process for either current employees or new recruits contact our Business and Enterprise team today by email or complete our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 0191 215 6300.

All apprentices are required to be in full-time employment to study the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship. If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship and you are in current full-time employment complete our online enquiry form.

If you are not in full-time employment but would like to study this apprenticeship programme, keep checking our vacancies page for information regarding job opportunities.

Skills Assessment

Before entry onto the programme, all Apprenticeship applicants must complete an Initial Skills Assessment which maps their prior knowledge against the apprenticeship standard. This is part of the University’s regulatory funding obligations. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to provide new learning and the skills assessment will be used to establish whether we need to tailor your programme in any way to account for your previous qualifications or experience. It also provides a benchmark against which to map your progress on the programme.