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.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Nursing Theory into Practice 1 | 30 | |
| Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 15 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing | 15 | |
| Nursing Practice 1 | 15 | |
NUR1009DA: Nursing Theory into Practice 1
This module introduces nursing science and complementary biological, psychological and sociological sciences. This integrated approach enables you to fully appreciate the complexity of person-centred care and focuses on developing your critical thinking skills. The module content is focused on the NMC’s Standards and proficiencies for registered nurses (NMC, 2018) and these are fully integrated with Exeter’s pillars of nursing: fundamental essentials of nursing care (F), patient and public involvement (PPI), evidence for practice (E), no health without mental health (MH), leadership and management of healthcare (L&M), Ethics and Professionalism (E&P) and global health (G).
NUR1010DA: Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
This module introduces you to the principles of evidence-based practice and research methodologies that underpin patient/client care. Apprentices will be introduced to the principles of professional practice within health and social care. In evidence-based professional practice, Apprentices will develop basic problem-solving and reasoning skills. Alongside this, they will develop an understanding of professional practice.
NUR1011DA: Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing
This module aims to introduce you to the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the major systems of the human body and support you in understanding how anatomical and physiological knowledge can be applied in nursing and healthcare.
NUR1012DA: Nursing Practice 1
This module provides opportunities for you to demonstrate achievement of specified NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for registered nurses as well as adherence to the Code (NMC, 2018) in a clinical environment.
During this module you will participate in the usual working pattern for the service in which you are based as an apprentice.
Practice supervisors and practice assessors will support, assess and provide feedback and feed forward, recording your progress in your Practice Assessment Document (EPAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR). All areas will meet educational learning audit requirements through the shared quality assurance framework - Educational Audit Process. Mandatory year one proficiencies are specified in your Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR).
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Nursing Theory into Practice 2 | 30 | |
| Nursing Practice 2A | 30 | |
| Health, Justice and Community Care | 15 | |
| Evaluation, Improvement and Research Approaches in Nursing | 15 | |
| Nursing Practice 2B | 30 | |
NUR2009DA: Nursing Theory into Practice 2
Nursing theory into Practice is the theoretical component of the Year 2 Degree Apprenticeship. This module will further explore the complex role of the nurse including assessment pathways, disease processes and treatments associated with commonly occurring conditions. You will continue to work across the Academy of Nursing’s seven pillars of nursing; patient and public involvement, fundamental essentials of nursing care, evidence for practice; no health without mental health, leadership and management of healthcare, ethics and professionalism and global health.
NUR2010DA: Nursing Practice 2A
In this module you further develop your clinical practice to demonstrate achievement of specified NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for registered nurses and adherence to the Code (NMC, 2018). During the clinical immersion you will participate in the usual working pattern for the service in which you are based as an apprentice.
Practice supervisors and practice assessors will support, assess and provide feedback and feed forward, recording your progress in your Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR). All areas will meet educational learning audit requirements through the shared quality assurance framework - Educational Audit Process. Mandatory standards of proficiency are specified in your PAD and OAR.
NUR2011DA: Health, Justice and Community Care
This module will develop your understanding of how healthcare systems can empower communities and promote health justice through integrated care models and preventative strategies with the intention that, as a graduate nurse, you will have the knowledge, skills and experience to incorporate the prevention of ill health and health justice in your everyday practice. You will continue to work across the Academy of Nursing’s seven pillars of nursing; patient and public involvement, fundamental essentials of nursing care, evidence for practice; no health without mental health, leadership and management of healthcare, ethics and professionalism and global health.
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
NUR2012DA: Evaluation, Improvement and Research Approaches in Nursing
This module will explore your role within healthcare aligning with evidence-based practice and patient outcomes. The module gives opportunities to focus on a current healthcare topic, consider patients and their families quality of care and present quality improvement approaches highlighting areas explored and areas for further development You will continue to work across the Academy of Nursing’s seven pillars of nursing; patient and public involvement, fundamental essentials of nursing care, evidence for practice; no health without mental health, leadership and management of healthcare, ethics and professionalism and global health.
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
NUR2013DA: Nursing Practice 2B
In this module you further develop your clinical practice to demonstrate achievement of specified Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and adherence to the Code (NMC, 2015). Throughout the module you will participate in the usual working pattern for the service in which you are based as an apprentice, following your apprenticeship contract and local policies.
Practice supervisors and practice assessors will support, assess and provide feedback and feed forward, recording your progress in your Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR). All areas will meet educational learning audit requirements through the shared quality assurance framework - Educational Audit Process.
Mandatory standards of proficiency are specified in your Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR).
Please note that the module information displayed here 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.
120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Nursing Theory into Practice 3 (Adult) | 30 | |
| Innovation in Nursing Leadership and Management | 30 | |
| Clinical Innovation Project | 30 | |
| Nursing Practice 3 | 30 | |
NUR3011DA: Nursing Theory into Practice 3 (Adult)
In this module you will build on your previous learning and enhance your ability to apply nursing theories to assess, plan and deliver patient centre. You will demonstrate how nursing theories inform and support clinical nursing decision making.
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
NUR3012DA: Innovation in Nursing Leadership and Management
In this module, you will build on your own experiences as a leader in healthcare settings to hone your critical understanding of integrated care models and approaches that underpin effective leadership and quality care through innovation, coaching and mentorship of colleagues. You will be equipped to tackle challenges in healthcare teams and organisations using compassionate, creative and reflective approaches that start with self-awareness of your own unique strengths and limitations as a leader and use this awareness to develop your own authentic leadership style. This includes exploring shifts in care from hospital to community settings, the role of digital monitoring, and nursing interventions that prioritise prevention — all with the aim of improving patient outcomes and experiences of care.
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
NUR3013DA: Clinical Innovation Project
In this module, you will build on your learning around leadership, evaluation, innovation and research approaches developed to design, deliver and disseminate a clinical innovation project. You will work with your employer to identify an area of practice that requires improvement and develop critical approaches to data collection, gathering of insight, and reflective practice to implement a change in practice. You will be involved in all aspects of quality improvement, including reporting the findings from your project to influence stakeholders to embed continual improvement in your clinical area.
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
NUR3014DA: Nursing Practice 3
This immersion focuses on your transition from apprentice to registered nurse to demonstrate achievement of the NMC’s (2018) Standards of proficiency for registered nurses and adherence to the Code (NMC, 2018). Your transition themes include teaching, supervision, clinical governance and decision-making. You will advance and apply your leadership skills, demonstrating the ability to respond to the challenges of providing and evaluating safe nursing care for people with complex co-morbidities and multiple care needs.
Practice supervisors and practice assessors will support, assess and provide feedback and feed forward, recording your progress in your Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR). All areas will meet educational learning audit requirements through the shared quality assurance framework - Educational Audit Process. Mandatory standards of proficiency are specified in your PAD and Ongoing Achievement Record (OAR).
This module is delivered as part of an apprenticeship programme, so a large proportion of learning takes place within the workplace, both as on the job and off the job time. The hours assigned to this module are calculated to meet the NMC theory and/or practice hours required across the programme for registration.
Accreditations
NMC Accreditation
The BSc Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
11th in the UK for Nursing and Midwifery
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
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE | C or 4 | English and Maths |
| A Level | BBB |
N/A |
| IB | 28/554 | N/A |
| BTEC | DMM |
N/A |
| ACCESS | 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. |
N/A |
| T-level | Merit | T-level in Healthcare Science or Health |
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.
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.
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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