Skip to content

Registered Nurse Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship MSc

About this course

This course is for individuals with an undergraduate degree, are employed in a health or social care setting and wish to become a Registered Nurse. Our Level 7 Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship allows healthcare professionals with a level 6 qualification in any subject area can gain the qualifications needed to pursue a career in nursing.

Why do the apprenticeship?

Through our blended and block study learning approach, building up theoretical knowledge while putting it into practice – individuals will develop holistic, clinical and decision-making skills in line with the demands of modern nursing. Registered nurses are a statutorily regulated profession and successful completion of this apprenticeship will meet the education requirements to see registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

What are the benefits?

Employers will benefit from upskilling their current staff as registered nurses with a professional qualification and NMC status.

  • A flexible curriculum

    and blended learning approach that allows students to build theoretical knowledge and put it into practice on placements in healthcare settings.

  • Study in our state-of-the-art facilities

    Apprentices study in our brand-new purpose-built Health and Allied Professions Centre on Clifton Campus, featuring mock hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, creative teaching spaces, and specialist equipment.

  • NTU is the top-rated University provider

    of higher and degree apprenticeships in the UK (RateMyApprenticeship, 2024)

  • Learn from the experts

    at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning.

What you’ll study

Our Level 7 Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship course gives students a robust knowledge of adult nursing practice, as well as the wider sector, both in and outside of the classroom. It is the perfect combination of theory and practice, allied to great facilities, modules built around the latest research and teachers who’ve worked for years in professional healthcare. Apprentices will develop your nursing knowledge based around:

  • A holistic view of patients’ physical and psychological needs enabling you to provide high quality, culturally competent patient centred care
  • Being innovative leaders in the field of healthcare challenging care practices and leading evidence-based decision making
  • Refining and applying clinical skills with the goal of developing clinical practice and becoming a role model
  • A high-quality practice-learning environment, with simulated exercises and activities
  • Placements in a variety of healthcare settings
  • Some fantastic opportunities for career development in practice, leadership, education and research both in the UK and internationally.

The five strands of nursing at NTU

Our course combines evidence-based healthcare knowledge with teaching that’s specific to the field of adult nursing. With this approach, we help students to develop a critical understanding of the sector, as well as the specialist skills needed as a registered adult nurse. Our course is built around five “strands”, namely:

  • Applied bio-, psycho- and social sciences
  • Clinical practice and nursing skills
  • Professional concept, philosophies and theories
  • Preparation for practice
  • Personal and professional development

Across these strands, apprentices will develop and critique the core knowledge, skills and attributes needed for a successful career in adult nursing – both in the UK and internationally.

Fundamentals in Nursing

The module introduces students to contemporary nursing values, philosophies and skills that underpin professional practice in nursing. The aim of this module is to support nurses to develop clinical and communication skills when providing care for people from diverse settings, as well as to promote self-awareness and development of professional identity.

Nursing Theory and Practice 1

The module aims to critically consider biological, social and psychological factors that impact on health. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to assess and plan care with people from diverse backgrounds and focus on care activity in relation to health promotion.

Global Health

On this module, you’ll critically consider how global health is addressed through policy and practice development initiatives. You will be introduced to the field of global health through examining key determinants of health such as poverty, inequality, health systems, economic globalisation, conflict, migration, climate change and stigma.

Nursing Theory and Practice 2

This module aims to provide adult nursing students with the skills and knowledge to provide person-centered care to people with complex care needs. You will gain knowledge on the impact of living with co-morbidities and the impact on care delivery.

Leadership and Transition in Nursing

The aim of this module is to support students with their transition to becoming an innovative registered nurse. This module facilitates the development of effective clinical leadership through critical reflection, self-awareness and knowledge development which includes critical appraisal of leadership theory, policy and research. You’ll learn to critically consider the role of change management in ensuring safe and effective practice.

Research and Practice

This module will provide students with an opportunity to undertake an independent study on an area which is relevant to their nursing practice. The nature of independent study will be either an empirical or literature-based dissertation.

Completing your Apprenticeship

To achieve the apprenticeship, all apprentices must complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.

Gateway

Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.

At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).

Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.

End-Point Assessment

This apprenticeship is integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered by Nottingham Trent University and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study whilst in their off-the-job training period.

Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.

The end-point assessment for this apprenticeship standard is the examination board.

Successful completion of this apprenticeship will meet the education requirements for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

How you're taught

The degree integrates academic and work-based learning through employment. You will be taught in three blocks per year, with five study days per week (three days at a time at university and two as guided study).

How you're assessed

The end-point assessment will take place after the two-year degree, although completion of the degree is dependent on completion of the end-point assessment.

Contact hours

A full-time student on average can expect to spend 1200 hours a year learning which will typically be broken down as follows:

Your time is split roughly in half between classroom-based learning and practice learning placements. You’ll have a minimum of 4,600 hours’ contact time throughout your course – how that’s divided up depends on the programme you’ve chosen, and the year of study. Whilst the hours are always subject to change, here’s some examples:

Hands-on nursing: your work experience opportunities

Placements are the foundation of our nursing courses, and a crucial part of your learning. No other experience gives you the applied, hands-on insights into modern nursing – from decision making to relationships. It’s on placement that you’ll apply the theoretical principles of holistic assessment, values-based practice, person centred care, and effective collaboration between service users, their families, and other providers. You’ll work across a variety of health and social care settings, in a wide range of public and private sector environments – all the time developing your understanding of the person’s journey and the services they access.

You’ll benefit from our reputation in the healthcare sector, and our fantastic professional links throughout nursing. The range and diversity of experiences on offer means you can properly explore the role – and in your second and third years, you’ll even get the chance to complete an practice learning placement in an alternative field. It’ll deepen your understanding of nursing and improve your job prospects even further.

In each year of the programme there will be 3 placements, in the first year, for example, you will have a placement that starts approximately 8 weeks after you start.  Each placement in the first year lasts for six weeks and in the second and third years the placement are no less than 7 weeks long.

Learn from the experts

As tomorrow’s professionals, you’ll be taught by today’s experts – people who’ve worked (and are still working) across the healthcare sector. Tutorials and personal contact time are an important part of our nursing courses, and we ensure you’re supported in both one-to-one and group-learning environments. You’ll have your own personal tutor, and a range of module leaders. As these are new courses, we’ve had the opportunity to build them from the ground up, ensuring they’re informed by the latest research and practice – and meaning that you’ll learn at the forefront of modern nursing.

Throughout the programme, we’ll give you all the support you need: from advice and feedback, to securing practice learning placements, to helping you deal with any unforeseen personal circumstances or difficulties.

Clinical and nursing skills

Your registration by the Nursing and Midwifery Council hinges on proving you’ve got the required nursing skills – the practical components of this course. You’ll develop these skills in our suites, through a range of simulated exercises that bridge the gap between the classroom and your practice placements. You’ll then keep a record of the skills you’ve acquired and contact hours you’ve completed in your ePortfolio.

Careers and employability

If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.

Campus and facilities

You’ll mainly be studying in the purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre.  The 34,000 square foot building features mock hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, creative teaching spaces and specialist equipment.

Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!

You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.

Entry requirements

UK students

In order to be eligible to undertake an Apprenticeship, you must ensure the following are in place prior to the start date of the course:

  • You are a UK resident or have the right to work in the UK.
  • Have a job or a job offer from an employer who will support you to complete your apprenticeship.
  • Will spend at least 50% of your working week in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.  This also applies to remote and hybrid workers

Make sure to read the course-specific entry requirements in the additional requirements section below.

International students

In order to be eligible to undertake an Apprenticeship, you must ensure you can fulfil the following prior to the start date of the course:

  • You have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3-year period on the first day of your apprenticeship.
  • Your ordinary residence in the UK and Islands has not during any part of that period been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.
  • You have permission granted by the UK government to live in the UK and such permission is not for education purposes only.
  • You must be able to complete the apprenticeship in the time you have available (e.g. your Visa must last for the duration of the apprenticeship as well as your contract of employment).

Make sure to read the course-specific entry requirements in the additional requirements section below.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

To undertake an apprenticeship, you must be employed. Your employer will pay your tuition fees.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages, email our Apprenticeships team, or call  +44 (0)115 848 2589.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

To undertake an apprenticeship you must be employed. Your employer will pay your tuition fees.

We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify your residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at the application stage.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our apprenticeships FAQs, contact our Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk, or call +44 (0)115 848 2589.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

How to apply

For further information visit our apprenticeship pages or email us.

We will review your identity documents / immigration status to verify your residency eligibility in line with the apprenticeship funding rules, at the application stage.