Nursing degree apprenticeship (18-months)
This 18-month nursing degree apprenticeship will provide you with the clinical skills, knowledge and confidence you need to deliver exceptional care to patients as a registered adult nurse.
Programme description
Programme lead: Judith Sephton
Award: BMedsci Nursing (Adult)
Next intake: February 2026
This degree apprenticeship will provide you with the clinical skills, knowledge and confidence you need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and deliver exceptional care to patients as an adult nurse.
Our nurse apprentices are empowered and supported to become resilient, caring, reflective and lifelong learners, who are capable of working - and thriving - within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
You will RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) out the first three units of our three-year adult nursing degree. Throughout the remaining 18-months you will split your time between theoretical study blocks and supernumerary placements in a variety of settings, including hospitals, other health institutions and in the community.
It’s during these placements that you’ll develop your skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication and resilience – all crucial to becoming a capable and compassionate nurse. This experience will ensure you meet both the NMC proficiencies and programme learning outcomes, and are capable of demonstrating the professional behaviours of the NMC Code.
We embed the latest research and policy into our curriculum, and will teach you to critically evaluate this research, so you can apply this to your clinical practice.
Throughout the course you’ll be supported, supervised and assessed by both university and practice staff – both in the classroom and out on placement – who will support you to become the very best nurse you can be.
Accreditation and the apprenticeship standard
This programme is approved by the . It will give you the clinical skills and knowledge you need for entry into the NMC professional register as an .
It also meets the registered nurse integrated degree standard defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Duration
18 months (37.5 hours a week supernumerary)
Teaching
The course is split into study blocks and blocks of supernumerary practice. Throughout the degree apprenticeship you will complete 1,200 hours of theoretical learning and 1,200 hours of supernumerary practice learning.
The 18-month programme is divided into two parts (Level 5 Part 2 and Level 6 Part 3).
Part 2 consists of three modules:
- Caring for People with Acute and Short Term Care Needs
- Research Methods and Evidence Based practice for Nursing
- Professional Practice Year 2
Part 3 consists of four modules:
- Transitions to Professional Practice 1
- Transitions to Professional Practice 2
- Developing Nursing Practice
- Professional Practice Year 3
Annual leave blocks are set throughout the programme.
Assessment
Each module includes multiple assessments. You will need to successfully achieve a range of assessment tasks and a practice assessment in each unit to successfully complete the learning outcomes of the programme.
The End Point Assessment (EPA) is integrated throughout the programme. Passing this allows you to qualify and practise as a registered adult nurse.
Our facilities
As an apprentice at Sheffield, you’ll benefit from an excellent study environment across both our main campus and our Clinical Skills Centre.
Our Clinical Skills Centre is based at the Northern General Hospital, a large teaching hospital and Major Trauma Centre. The centre contains mock clinical wards, resuscitation suites, simulated theatres and teaching rooms – perfect for training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Find out more about our Clinical Skills Centre
What our apprentices say
Entry requirements
- Employment within a partner organisation that will support your apprenticeship.
- A foundation-level degree or equivalent that meets our RPL requirements
- Certified evidence of English Language GCSE grade C/4 or above, Functional Skills Level 2 or a university-accepted equivalent.
- Certified evidence of Maths GCSE grade C/4 or above, Functional Skills Level 2 or a university-accepted equivalent.
- International qualifications: evidence from UK ENIC of equivalent English/Maths (A*-C) must be provided for international qualifications.
Other requirements
You must
- Be working in an adult field of practice
- Have at least two years of health and social care experience
- Show a demonstration of values in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct (2018)
- Have at least one reference from a line manager, plus an academic reference
Disclose and Barring Service (DBS)
You will be required to have a DBS enhanced (including children) within the last 3 years.
Digital learning technologies
Apprentices are required to demonstrate the ability to use digital technology prior to commencing the RNDA programme. Once you are appointed you will be given a link to a free digital learning and testing site where you will complete the "basic computer skills" package and submit the certificate as evidence.
Interviews
Recruitment, shortlisting and interviews will be organised by the employing partnership with support from the СŷÊÓƵ and service users.
Learn more about interviews and assessment centres​â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹â¶Ä‹
Apply
This programme is advertised locally in partnership organisations and application is via their recruitment processes, such as NHS jobs. The СŷÊÓƵ does not recruit directly for the course.
Candidates need to have completed a foundation degree which meets our RPL requirements. All applicants will be reviewed on an individual basis. This can include experienced Assistant Practitioners.
Your employer can submit an expression of interest for this apprenticeship by contacting ahpnm-apprenticeships-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk for a copy of our Expression of Interest form.