BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate pathway) Degree Apprenticeship
Part-time
19 month
March 2026
In a nutshell
This BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate pathway) Apprenticeship degree programme offers a fantastic opportunity for employers to develop their workforce in partnership with the University. The course is delivered full-time over an 18-month period, with an additional month to complete the Apprenticeship Assessment Plan (used to be called the End Point Assessment). You must have the essential prerequisite entry qualifications to join this programme at the middle point of Level 5. You will then complete the remaining 6 months of Level 5 modules, followed by the full year of Level 6 modules.
On this course, you will experience the provision of contemporary 24-hour health service provision, caring for patients across all aspects of the health/ill health continuum, and within multiple environments. You will be provided with the exposure and education in nursing, within both the University and workplace, to become a confident, compassionate, evidence based, and person-centred practitioner to evaluate, lead and coordinate patient care.
50% of your studies will be spent in various hospital and/or community settings within the NHS and independent sector, where you will spend time in well-supported environments. Within each placement you will be working alongside qualified nurse practice assessors and supervisors as per the NMC (2018) Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment. Over the full 18months of the programme, you will be expected to complete a minimum of 1150 hours working in your supernumerary student nurse role.
You will also spend 50% of your time attending and studying for your module credits at the University. This is your ‘off the job’ learning and will also enable you to gain the minimum of 1150 theory hours required to register your qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
On successful completion of all the elements of this course, you will have a recognised degree qualification that leads to registration as a qualified nurse with the NMC.
At the University of Salford you will be welcomed into a relaxed and friendly environment to study Adult Nursing. You will have regular reviews with our Learning and Development Coaches, who bridge the gap between the University and your employer, alongside reviewing your progression of apprenticeship related knowledge, skills and behaviours. You will also be allocated a personal tutor who will offer a coaching approach to unlock your potential and develop your character as a professional nurse. The University will allocate an academic assessor to you, to support your growth in practice environments.
A wealth of facilities at university are available to you, including formal teaching, group and one-to-one sessions, a comfortable and enriching learning space with state-of-the-art-clinical and immersive simulation suites.
Our Nursing Programme embodies a shared philosophy representing the core values and beliefs of your employer, students, patients, service users and families, practice colleagues and university staff. Theoretical underpinnings of the philosophy include: nursing ethics, personalisation, and a safety model ensuring the safety and protection of people of all ages and their carers and families.
Key concepts of the apprenticeship programme support the development of professional knowledge, skills and behaviours, inter-professional working, values and attitudes expected of a compassionate nurse, such as: connectedness, emotional intelligence, and moral responsibility & creativity.
You will:
- Develop the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours which are core to you acquiring competencies to become a qualified nurse, and fundamental to achieving your apprenticeship standards and assessment
- Develop knowledge of concepts of wellbeing, public health and global health including an awareness of factors affecting health within a diverse and multi-cultural society
- Earn a salary while you learn
- Receive on and off the job training
This is for you if...
You are hardworking and committed
You have a compassionate and caring character
You can see yourself working with people from all kinds of backgrounds
You want to make a real difference
You are ready for an exciting challenge
You are looking for a future career that is more than just a job
All about the course
As an apprentice, you will be welcomed into a relaxed and friendly environment in which to learn. A wealth of facilities are available to you including formal teaching, group and one-to-one sessions, a comfortable and enriching learning space, and state-of-the-art clinical set-ups.
You will apply the essential knowledge and skills needed to deliver and promote holistic care of mental and physical health across the life span by analysing decision-making, problem-solving and prioritising skills in nursing practice. We also explore which people access adult services and consider how we protect patients, carers and relatives who use our services.
You will prepare for the transition from apprentice to qualified professional registered nurse, both professionally and autonomously, to manage yourself and others effectively. You will be able to develop practice using the best available evidence that incorporates both nursing expertise and knowledge, together with that of the patient/service user.
Exploring Nursing Evidence and Interventions (Degree Apprenticeship Pathway)
You will explore the nursing process as a means of understanding the nurses’ roles and responsibilities in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, as well as the knowledge and skills required to effectively carry these out. You will also explore how evidence is produced and applied to practice within healthcare, as well as specifically within Adult Nursing. This exploration of evidence-based practice will also examine the process by which nurses co-develop and negotiate care that encompass both the best available evidence and the patient’s own preferences and needs.
Exploring the Fundamentals of Integrated Nursing Practice (Degree Apprenticeship Pathway)
You will demonstrate the required NMC proficiencies in relation to your stage of learning and development in year two with Adult Nursing and interprofessional practice (NMC part 2 progression). This will include developing skills in looking outwards from one’s own profession to consider relationships with other professional/non-professional people and the impact this has on care delivery.
Part 3 Nursing Practice
You will demonstrate the required NMC proficiencies in relation to your stage of learning and development in year three with Adult Nursing and interprofessional practice (NMC Part 3 progression). This module prepares you for registration as an adult nurse and will include developing skills in looking outwards from one’s own profession to consider relationships with other professional/nonprofessional people and the impact this has on care delivery. You will be able to demonstrate a greater depth of knowledge and the additional more advanced skills required to meet the specific care needs of people in your field of nursing practice.
Leading Adult Nursing (Degree Apprenticeship Pathway)
This module will enable you to consolidate your learning and demonstrate a critical understanding of looking outwards from one's own profession to consider relationships with other professional/non-professional people and the impact this has on care delivery in Adult Nursing practice.
Being an Inspiring Adult Practitioner (Degree Apprenticeship Pathway)
You will build upon your developing knowledge, skills and professional attitudes to facilitate the critical application of the evidence base required to demonstrate inspirational nursing practice. Aspects of leadership, management, team working and exploration of evidence-based nursing practice, linked to both disease development and origins, alongside sources of health and well-being.
Being an Autonomous Adult Practitioner (Degree Apprenticeship Pathway)
You will develop the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes to facilitate the critical, systematic and contemporary application of the evidence base required to demonstrate autonomous nursing practice. This will be achieved through the delivery of a blended learning approach by way of seminars, master classes, action learning sets, practice and guided independent study. A feature of this module will be that some of the master classes will be delivered by specialist clinicians focusing upon quality, safety and personalised care across health and social care.
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact. Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.
The University has received approval for a new health building on Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces. Construction began in 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement.
What about after uni?
As a graduate and qualified nurse in the adult nursing field of practice, you will be able to apply for a job in either an acute setting such as a hospital, or in the community. You may want to work within the NHS or in the public and private sectors for example, a ward, a health centre, a prison, a care home or a hospice.
What you need to know
To undertake this degree apprenticeship, you will need to be currently in full-time employment (minimum 30 hours a week), spending at least 50% of your time in England. You will need to be in a relevant role and your employer must be willing to support you through the programme. Please explore our other entry requirements below.
If you are not currently in employment, search for degree apprenticeship roles with local employers. Unfortunately, we cannot recruit international students onto our Higher and Degree Apprenticeship programmes. Please take a look at our non-apprenticeship nursing programmes if you do not meet the apprenticeship entry requirements:
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (3 year programme)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate Pathway) (Adult)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate Pathway) (Mental Health)
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate Pathway) (Children and Young People)
Already a Nursing Associate?
This could be the perfect course for you if you are already a Registered Nursing Associate and looking to become a Registered Nurse. Your Nursing Associate qualification will be considered as part of your Accredited Prior Learning.
GCSE
GCSE English and Maths at grade C/grade 4 minimum (or equivalent).
(It is preferred that applicants already hold grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language/Literature and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification, prior to making their application. Applicants who are in the process of completing their GCSE English Language and Mathematics or level 2 equivalents may also be considered).
Additional Requirements
120 relevant module credits and learning at HE4
120 relevant module credits and learning at HE5
Practice assessed NMC professional values and proficiencies, alongside evidence of the required number of practice hours for entry onto the course.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
An applicant who does not possess one of the qualifications which satisfies the General Academic Entry Requirement may be considered through the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) as per the University’s Admissions and Retention Policy.
How much?
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 and requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of over £3 million each year to invest in apprenticeships.
The funding policy supports the changes to the way apprenticeships in England are paid for, underpinned by the apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the annual pay bill for companies paying over £3 million per year.
There is also a co-investment model for companies who will not be paying into the levy. The government will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship and the employer will only have to contribute the remaining 5%. Once payments have been declared to HMRC, employers will now have access to a digital apprenticeship account from which they will be able to access funding to pay for apprenticeship training.
The maximum amount of money allocated to each standard falls into a specific funding band, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.
The full Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship has been allocated the following funding band: £26000. Funding for the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate pathway) – Apprenticeship will reflect that the course will be completed in half the allocated time of the full Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship.