Foundation Degree Nursing Associate Apprenticeship

Course summary

Following a successful conjoint approval event with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in June 2025, the University of Westminster is proud to be recognised as an NMC Approved Education Institution (AEI), with approval granted for the Foundation Degree Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship). From September 2026, the University plans to begin delivering this new and innovative NMC approved programme, supporting the development of the next generation of registered Nursing Associate professionals.

This new apprenticeship will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver high-quality, safe, and compassionate care while supporting the wider healthcare team as a Nursing Associate. The nursing associate role has been developed in England to support workforce needs. Nursing associates work alongside and support registered nurses in providing essential care and support across various health and social care settings, including hospitals, care homes, hospices, GP practices, social care, and community services.

The responsibilities of a registered Nursing Associate will vary depending on the setting but typically include:

• Monitoring and recording clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and pulse.
• Performing clinical tasks like venepuncture and ECGs.
• Providing emotional support to individuals facing complex diagnoses and life-changing news.
• Communicating and collaborating with healthcare professionals to share patient assessments and observations.
• Upholding patient dignity, privacy, and safety at all times.
• Identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns involving vulnerable adults and children.

To study, you must be employed by an appropriate health or social care organisation. This could be an NHS Trust or an independent or private health or social care organisation that can provide the required practice learning experience.

Upon successful completion of the programme, which includes the achievement of the integrated End Point Assessment, and subject to continued confirmation of Good Health and Character, the University will notify  the NMC of your eligibility to progress to NMC registration. You will also be provided with your official apprenticeship certificate. * Final decisions regarding entry to the NMC register are made by the NMC.

Register apprentices hereGo to the apprenticeships registration form 

Course structure 

Level 4 Modules (Year one)

• Developing personal, professional, and academic skills for person centred care (20 credits)
• Psychology and sociology of health and wellbeing (20 credits)
• Sciences underpinning professional practice (20 credits)
• Professional Practice One (60 credits)

Level 5 Modules (Year two)

• Evidence based practice (20 credits)
• Recognising and responding to illness and Injury across the lifecourse (20 credits)
• Transitioning to  Registered Nursing Associate (20 credits)
• Professional Practice Two (20 credits)
• Medicines management (non-credit bearing module)

It is expected that successful completion of your programme will be achieved over a two year period, 45 weeks per year. The NMC require that the programme comprises a minimum total of 2300 learning hours. This is divided equally between theoretical and practice leaning. You will therefore be required to achieve a minimum of 1150 hours of theory and 1150 hours of practice exclusive of annual leave. Theoretical hours consist of face-to-face contact, directed learning and self-directed learning. Practice hours comprise practice learning in external placements.

Accreditations 

The Higher Technical Qualification Standards that this programme is mapped to are approved by Skills England as meeting occupational standards for the healthcare sector.

The University of Westminster’s Foundation Degree Nursing Associate apprentice programme is approved and regulated by the NMC. The programme is aligned to the standards for pre-registration nursing associate programmes (NMC 2023). The course structure and content are also aligned to the NMC Standards of proficiency for nursing associates (NMC 2023).

Programme specification 

For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.

Entry requirements and eligibility 

Our apprenticeships are only available to those who employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme in a related role, who are aged 18 or over on the first day, are not in full-time education and meet the Department for Education funding eligibility criteria.  

Further details on apprenticeship funding eligibility criteria are available on our How to apply page.

The employer must agree to cover the apprenticeship costs and allow the apprentice to undertake external practice placements in addition to their place of employment.

Employers are responsible for ensuring students meet occupational health requirements and have passed appropriate vetting procedures, which include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check and Right to Work Check. This is evidenced through the submission of supplementary evidence as part of the selection process.

Employers may also set additional entry requirements as part of the selection process before assessment for entry by the University.

You will also need to demonstrate your ability to study to Level 5 foundation degree level and commit to completing the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme.

Academic entry criteria 

• Level 2 English qualification (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills English, Key Skills Level 2 Communication or equivalent) (essential).
• Level 2 Maths qualification (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number (Numeracy) or equivalent) (essential).
• Applicants will normally have a total of 48 UCAS tariff points which can be obtained through BTEC National/Extended Diploma, NVQ Level 3 or above in Care or a related subject, an accredited Access to HE Diploma (pass with at least 45 credits at level 3) or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
• Where applicants do not have Level 3 qualifications, a portfolio assessment will be offered, and the application will be considered on an individual basis.
• Additionally, applicants are asked to provide evidence of health or care experience and demonstrate insight into the professional values and behaviours associated with health and care environments (desirable).
• Evidence International English Language Testing System (IELTS): at least 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading (or recognised equivalent). (This is only for those applicants whereby English is not their first language and who need to provide a recognised English language test or qualification).

Applicants will be able to submit a CV with the application form.

Additional programme requirements

In addition to the above entry requirements applicants will also be required to: 

• Demonstrate their capability for digital and technological literacy.
• Provide evidence of study within the last five years (not mandatory training).
• Demonstrate their ability to study at academic level 4 and the potential to progress to level 5 and commit to completing the Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship) programme.
• Evidence nursing values through the interview process at the University.
• Undergo a Disclosure and Baring Service check: An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and disclosure of unspent criminal convictions (which is required according to Professional Statutory Regulatory Body, PSRB, accreditation requirements) is required. 
• Complete an Occupational Health Assessment: Completion of an Occupational Health Assessment, confirming fitness to study and fitness for placement is required. 
• Evidence eligibility to work in the UK - any applicant requiring a visa must ensure the duration of the visa covers the period to completion of the course.

The items listed above are all considered entry requirements. They must be met before the university can make an unconditional offer and enrol an applicant on their chosen course.

Applications for the apprenticeship programme will be shortlisted by the nursing team. As part of this process the team will assess whether the applicant has the potential to meet the programme’s entry requirements, including relevant academic qualifications and eligibility for the appropriate funding. The applicants supporting statement will also be reviewed.

Interviews

If the applicant meets the shortlisting criteria, they are invited to attend an interview at the University of Westminster. This will assess the applicant's communication skills, motivation, aptitude, and knowledge of the nursing associate role.

 Following a successful interview the University will require: 

• A complete satisfactory occupational health assessment.
• A new enhanced criminal records check/ disclosure and barring service (DBS).
• A reference from their employer.
• Qualifications must be met before the apprentice enrols on the course.  

Recognition of prior learning (RPL/RPEL)  

Recognition of prior learning enables previous certificated or experiential learning to be recognised and accepted as meeting some programme outcomes, this means it includes both theory and practice achievement. 

This apprenticeship allows the recognition of prior learning that can be mapped to the Standards of proficiency for nursing associates and programme outcomes, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the programme. This maximum limit of 50% does not apply to applicants to pre-registration nursing associate programmes who are currently a NMC registered nurse without restrictions on their practice (NMC 2023).

All RPL/RPEL claims are agreed by an external examiner.
For further information about RPL/RPE, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Fees 

Fees will be paid by your employer with government-funded support or through the apprenticeship levy.

University module retakes are not included in apprenticeship levy funding and employers will be charged separately for any modules that need to be retaken. (Fees for the academic year 2026–2027 are to be confirmed). 

Additional costs and optional extras 

We are committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career.

Please be aware that whilst most costs are covered as part of your apprenticeship, you may need to cover a few essential items not provided as part of the course. These are detailed below:

Mandatory costs: 

• Suitable shoes that comply with uniform policy
• Travel to and from internal and external placements
• Application for Professional NMC registration required to practice once qualified.

Optional costs not included in your fees:

• Textbooks to supplement those available through the library - various prices depending on the context.
• Printing costs of course materials if a hard copy is desired.

For additional information about what tuition fees cover, visit our What tuition fees cover page. 

Course Leader

Dr Jan Webb (Interim Course Leader)

Principal Lecturer and Head of Nursing (External Processes)

Jan has extensive experience in higher education having held management and senior leadership positions. As a registered adult and children and young people’s nurse she specialised in Emergency Nursing. Drawing from these experiences she developed an academic - practice interest in the safeguarding of children and young people/child protection; and safeguarding across the life course. She has expertise in these areas. 

Jan has been a Nursing and Midwifery Council Reviewer and has extensive knowledge, expertise and experience in health and social care curriculum design, development and academic quality matters related to nursing, health and social care. She also has extensive experience of working with a range of professional regulatory bodies within the context of both health and social care. 

Jan's research interests are primarily within the field of safeguarding and child protection. Her PhD studies were concerned with the concept of vulnerability and the social construction of the vulnerable child.  

Our innovative Nursing Associate programme inspires compassionate practice, develops confidence and skills in our simulation suite, and enables graduates to work across community, social care and hospital settings.

Careers/professional development 

People typically choose this apprenticeship for the following reasons:

• They want to become a Registered Nursing Associate while gaining hands-on experience.
• They may aspire to be a Registered Nurse but do not yet meet the entry requirements for a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship or a full-time nursing degree.

Teaching and assessment

How will you learn?

The NMC requires that the curriculum provides an equal balance of 50% theory and 50% practice learning across the programme. This equates to 1150 hours of theory and 1150 hours of practice learning across the programme which will be assured protected learning time. Protected learning time is designated time in which students are supported to learn.

Academic study 

You will attend university one day per week during teaching time. Teaching includes lecturers, seminars, tutorials, enquiry-based learning using scenarios, skill development, and simulated activities within a simulation suite.

Practice placements

As well as working in your paid role and in addition to your academic study, you will be required to complete external practice placements in different healthcare settings, across the programme. Hours in your paid role do not count as programme hours and these placements will be external to your employed place of work. 

Nursing associate students are not required to have placements in each field of nursing, but you will benefit from experience with children and adults, and people who use services/patients with mental health conditions and learning disabilities, and understand the most significant factors to be aware of when providing care to different people who use services

Please note that there will be an expectation to travel to placements, and you will be expected to work the shift patterns set by the host organisation.

How will you be assessed?

Your progress will be evaluated through both practical and academic assessments. In practice all apprentices must be appropriately supervised until they have demonstrated proficiency in aspects of care. Therefore, during each placement, you’ll be guided by a Practice Supervisor and a Practice Assessor, these are registered practitioners, including registered nursing associates/nurses, who will offer support, teaching, and constructive feedback to enable you to achieve the required level of proficiency expected of a registered nursing associate.

A Practice Assessor will complete your practice assessment. You will also have an Academic Assessor who will monitor your development and provide regular feedback.

You will be required to document your completed proficiencies, placement hours, supervisor meetings, and more in a practice assessment document.

The University is committed to authentic learning and assessment, offering a range of assessment types.

Course location

University teaching is delivered primarily at our Cavendish Campus, which offers our students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring. Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.

How to apply

Details on how to apply for an apprenticeship can be found on our How to apply page.

Contact us 

We are keen to establish new relationships with employers from a wide range of sectors and welcome enquiries. For more information, please contact our dedicated apprenticeships team on:

T: +44 (0) 207 911 5027
E: [email protected]