A unique new Degree Apprenticeship to upskill Nursing Associates to become Registered Nurses in 15 months is launching at the University of Exeter.
The earn-while-you-learn programme blends work-based practice with flexible online and in-person learning, empowering apprentices to advance their clinical and theoretical knowledge and achieve the high-level skills to progress to a registered nursing qualification, while continuing to care for patients
Exeter's innovative approach has been developed with a strong focus on inclusivity and widening participation. Much of the learning is online, with time on campus arranged in blocks, to enable aspiring nurses with caring commitments and from diverse backgrounds to progress their careers without the challenge of relocation or additional travel. This way of learning is designed for workplace learning, aiming to be more accessible than full-time study or some existing apprenticeships. It saves on daily travel time and costs, as apprentices remain with their organisation while they learn.
The course is open to all Nursing Associates across the UK, who hold a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved Nursing Associate qualification. The first intake will begin their studies in April 2026. After 15 months, they can graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing, including eligibility for NMC registration at that level.
Programme developer Anca Ichim, of the University of Exeter, said: "Our vision is to create a progression route that allows learners to advance their academic and professional development while remaining embedded in practice. This pathway will strengthen professional identity and cultivate the leadership, accountability, responsibility, and courage needed to deliver safe, efficient, and person-centred care. There is a clear need for more nurses within the NHS. Our learners will bring a wealth of experience and practical skills, and we want to build on this strong foundation by supporting their progression through a tailored programme that combines a Russell Group education with extensive clinical experience in the workplace."
The programme will include a mix of online learning, workplace-based experiential learning and some taught days on-campus. Students will work for the NHS or private healthcare providers, who will pay their fees via the Apprenticeship Levy.
Over the duration of the course, apprentices will study:
- Health Justice and Community Care
- Evaluation, Improvement and Research Approaches in Nursing
- Nursing Practice
- Nursing Theory into Practice
- Innovation in Nursing Leadership and Management
- Clinical Innovation Project
Apprentices will work with their employer on a mutually agreed Clinical Innovation Project, designed to enhance clinical practice and improve patient experience within their area of work. This collaborative approach is designed to enable apprentices to apply their learning to real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact within their teams
Whilst several universities offer an Adult Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, this course from the University of Exeter allows participants to take the full three-year course or join on a progression route to top up from nursing associate level 5 in just 15 months.
This modified route has been developed as a progression for Nursing Associates with a shortened programme length that allows apprentices to return to the workplace as fully qualified nurses more rapidly having spent the 15 month programme studying and gaining vital practical experience in their own workplace. Innovation is sparked through employer negotiated modules (Innovation in Nursing Leadership and Management & Clinical Innovation Project).
