Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/degree-apprenticeships/programmes/adult-nursing/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/degree-apprenticeships/

Degree Partnerships

Degree Apprenticeships

Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship

Why study Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at Exeter?

• Build the skills required to successfully embark on a career as a Registered Nurse and to be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) through this employment-based route into the Nursing profession.
• Study on an innovative, flexible degree apprenticeship programme, with inclusivity at its heart, that supports success for all.
• Join a progression route from Level 5 (16 month duration) or take the full 3-year Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship.
• We offer a multi-disciplinary teaching model, with extensive workplace learning within your clinical department as you develop your clinical, leadership, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Designed to support the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, enabling progression, retention and workforce resilience.
• Gain a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing and a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship award.

Quick facts

• 3-year full-time or 16-month full-time progression route
• Based on St Luke's Campus
• Typical A-Level offer: BBB
• UK Top 5 for Nursing
• Entry point in April 2026

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Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Course content

The BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship offers an employment-based route into the Nursing profession. This Programme will ensure you have the skills required to successfully embark on a career as a Registered Nurse and to be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The modules we outline here provide examples of what apprentices can expect to learn on this course.

Year 1

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

This Stage provides a foundation in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for practice as a Registered Nurse. Academic and supported study provides theoretical knowledge of the Fundamentals of patient care, anatomy and physiology, nursing theory, professional values and ethics, and the research and evidence-based practice. This academic knowledge is complemented in the workplace which provides a practical environment in which to learn how theory and clinical skills can be applied to ensure high-quality, effective and patient-centred nursing care.

Compulsory modules

Year 2

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

Drawing upon the knowledge and skills learnt in Stage one, Stage two develops further understanding of the concepts developed in stage one in contemporary Nursing practice. You will develop your knowledge of public, population and planetary health and further develop your Nursing theory knowledge base. The Stage two workplace experience provides further opportunities to apply theory to practice and to gain further practical experience of the safe, effective and compassionate Nursing practice across a range of Nursing specialities.

Compulsory modules

Year 3

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

Employer negotiated module

In the final year there is an employer negotiated module. This enables the apprentices to gain further experience in innovation, leadership & management while completing a project that will help improve service delivery and care outcomes.

The final Stage builds upon the knowledge and skills established in the previous two Stages. You will integrate theory with practice by drawing on your prior learning and experience of Nursing and reinterpreting your knowledge of Nursing within a scientific framework. During the third Stage in the workplace, you will become an integral member of the multi-professional healthcare team and will undertake an audit, service evaluation or piece of research. You will have responsibility for organising your working day and liaising with staff in other departments, and will gain experience of co-ordinating an inter-professional team. You will also undertake an employer negotiated placement in a jointly agreed area of practice.

Compulsory modules

Accreditations

NMC Accreditation

The BSc Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

5th in the UK for Nursing and Midwifery

Complete University Guide 2026

First for student satisfaction with mental wellbeing services

The Academy of Nursing is 1st for student satisfaction with Mental Wellbeing Services (National Student Survey 2025)

Entry requirements

3 Year BSc Degree

​​​Offer of employment by employer; right to work in the UK; eligibility for ESFA funding​​.

Nursing Foundation Degree

Required subjects: 60 credits at 60 % or above. ​Level 3 Apprenticeship ​Required subjects: Senior Healthcare Support worker – adult nursing pathway only​.

​​​​Offer of employment by employer; right to work in the UK; eligibility for ESFA funding​​.

16 month Progression Route

Foundation degree in Nursing Associate Practice registered with NMC.​

Level 2 English and Maths with required pass grades or equivalent qualifications.​

Each applicant would be examined for APL, mapped to the degree apprenticeship standard and any bridging required picked up.

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How to apply for an Adult Nursing degree apprenticeship

The Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship does not follow the standard UCAS application process. Applicants can apply to this programme in addition to making applications to any institution through UCAS. To gain a place on an apprenticeship,  applicants must either:

1. Be employed within an acute, community or specialist department or an adult social care team. Employers must have arrangements in place with the University of Exeter to support an apprenticeship education. Employers are responsible for ensuring applicants meet the Fitness to Practice requirements of the programme. Pre-employment checks will include occupational health screening and DBS checks; fulfilment of these to the satisfaction of the employer is a prerequisite for entry onto this programme.

2. Apply directly to a department offering nursing apprenticeship vacancies. Once applicants hold the offer of a post, employers will notify the University.  Employers are responsible for ensuring applicants meet the Fitness to Practice requirements of the programme. Pre-employment checks will include occupational health screening and DBS checks; fulfilment of these to the satisfaction of the employer is a prerequisite for entry onto this programme. Applicants will then be required to undertake an application for the University. If an applicant has been successful they will be offered a position. A place will be confirmed by us, and we will send further information about how to enrol as an apprentice.

Funding

Full programme cost: £26,000

16 month progression route: £19,000

The employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information about the Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.

Learning

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship is delivered through a combination of work-based practice and blended learning provided by the University, which includes e-learning and short blocks of on-campus teaching.

Degree apprenticeship roles are developed with a strong emphasis upon the close relationship between employer and University. The academic curriculum underpins clinical practice and therefore real-world practice including challenges and complexity provides the context and support for learning.

E-learning elements of the course, including lectures, seminars and online collaborative work, are undertaken through the University’s electronic learning environment. This will be the platform for most of the apprentice's academic learning, as well as providing academic support.

Time spent studying on campus

The on-campus teaching at the University of Exeter consists of 3 blocks of 4-5 days per year for the 3-year route. The 16 month progression route has 4 campus weeks in total. This is mandatory. Our other healthcare apprentices tell us these sessions are invaluable, helping to build a sense of community, belonging and peer support and gives them the opportunity  to experience university life at Exeter.

Apprentices will also require protected study time during the working week of up to two days.

Support available

Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme. Throughout this programme apprentices' hours are supernumerary as required by the NMC but will still work as part of their team.

Each apprentice is allocated an academic mentor to support their successful completion of the programme.

Apprenticeship Standard

Apprentices who successfully complete the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing will also have met the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required for the Level 6 Adult Nurse Apprenticeship Standard.

Nursing Placements/Work Based Learning

We will provide recommended rotations where needed for placements or work-based learning, in line with what's required by the NMC and the Degree Apprenticeship standard relating to knowledge, skills & behaviours. Many of these KSBs will be met within the workplace so fewer placements are required within this programme.

As more care will be in the community in the future, primary care placements are likely to become key for all nurses.

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Your future

Once you graduate, you'll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and thereby gain employment as a registered nurse in health provider organisations such as NHS Trusts.

A nursing degree is a passport to an interesting job and a fulfilling career. You’ll graduate as an in-demand nurse capable of leading exceptional, comprehensive, person-centred and evidence-based care in a true partnership with the people you are caring for.

As you gain experience, you could advance your career by specialising in an area of adult nursing, progress to more senior nursing posts, or move into education or research.

Find out more about our Adult Nursing degree apprenticeship

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