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Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Adult) MSc

This apprenticeship is employer led: applications must be submitted by employers on behalf of their staff.

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Start Dates

12 January 2026

Duration

2 years full-time

Eligibility Criteria

Permanent Employment in relevant field


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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Outstanding Quality - Huddersfield is an Ofsted Outstanding provider, delivering top-tier apprenticeship training.
  • You’ll learn from experienced health professionals and service users whose real-world insights bring teaching to life.
  • Gain confidence using our state-of-the-art skills labs and immersive simulation facilities on our National Health Innovation Campus.

Accreditation and Professional Links

Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate. Read More

This apprenticeship course has been designed to provide the opportunity to study whilst being employed in adult healthcare services. During this apprenticeship you will get the opportunity to learn in a supportive, forward-thinking and well-connected environment, where you will explore all aspects of adult nursing, from the fundamentals of providing care to more advanced topics such as complex needs, and leadership and management.

  • Supported by a team who really understand what it is like to be an adult nurse, you will learn through lectures, workshops, seminars, group work, simulation and role play.

  • In our fully equipped simulated ward, you will have the opportunity to put what you have learnt into practice in a safe environment using our patient simulators.

  • You will undertake clinical placements throughout the course in a variety of settings which may include hospitals, nursing homes and in the community, both in the NHS and the voluntary and private sectors.

  • You will have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints of service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

  • You will also learn how to respond to the physical, cognitive and mental health care needs of all patients and service users across their lifespan.

In line with the apprenticeship model, the course is designed to support a training in practice approach. Whilst undertaking the course you will remain employed by your host organisation. You will be a supernumerary student for the full duration of the course and as such will not work for your employer. Instead, your time will be split 50% in clinical practice and 50% in the University. The course is designed to be progressively demanding and once qualified will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and work as a Registered Nurse for Adults.

The University of Huddersfield has the highest Apprenticeship Qualification Achievement Rate (QAR) among Higher Education Institutions in England.*

Our 2023/24 QAR was 87.6% and coupled with our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating displays the excellent learning experience for apprentices and their employers at the University of Huddersfield.

If you are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you will also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

*Excludes providers with fewer than 100 apprentices.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

You must:

  • Be employed in healthcare and supported to undertake the course by your employer.
  • Have an Honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent professional qualification, in a relevant subject.

In addition you must have GCSE English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.

You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearances prior to registration on the course. These will be provided by your employer and checked by our admissions team.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which allows a maximum of 50% of credits for the award to be conferred through accreditation of prior learning.

If you have alternative qualifications you may wish to contact us for advice before applying. Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study. Other suitable experience or qualifications may be considered.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module involves exploring ethical and professional codes underpinning adult nursing to help you develop into a professional nurse. The module also asks you to examine your personal and professional attitudes and beliefs and relate these to your future professional role as an adult nurse. You will also gain an understanding about how you can develop as a learner as you transition to university life and develop the skills for life long learning.

This module builds on the knowledge and skills you developed in stage one. You will expand your range of assessment skills and apply them to more complex care encounters. Using your knowledge, you will recognise deterioration and begin to identify appropriate interventions to meet the care needs for people with a range of complex physical, mental health and cognitive care needs. You will plan care needs and begin to formulate care plans to meet the needs of individuals and groups of people in your care.

This module builds on the ’Understanding knowledge and evidence for nursing’ module in year 1, by introducing you to designing research studies, including literature reviews and empirical studies. You will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills of research methods and design preparing you to undertake a study relevant to adult nursing in year 2. You will learn about research ethics, data collection, analysis and research approaches including qualitative, qualitative and mixed method studies, literature reviews undertaken systematically, systematic reviews and audits.

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the fundamental knowledge and skills required to have a critical understanding of theory and practice. This will assist you in providing effective person centred support to those with a range of physical, mental and cognitive needs, with a specific focus on adults. You will integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with psychology, sociology and other relevant disciplines to explore the factors that impact on an individual’s health across the lifespan to end of life. You will also have the opportunity to develop skills comprising of systematic assessments to inform intervention, including medicines administration and pharmacology.

This module is the first practice module. You will be placed in clinical areas to undertake clinical practice and practice assessments. Providing further opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of nursing practice including personal hygiene, infection control, undertaking observations and holistic patient assessments and care. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

This module introduces you to the nature of knowledge and how it supports evidenced-based practice. You will learn about how to search for and read evidence to identify its value and relevance to nursing practice. You will explore how to evaluate published research and will be introduced to the concept of ethics within healthcare research. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop and use a variety of transferable skills including literature searching, critical appraisal of evidence and application of evidence to your own and the nursing practice of others.

This module builds on the year one Becoming a Professional and supports you to develop the professional knowledge and transferable skills needed to become a Registered Nurse. You'll gain an understanding of professional, legal, and ethical frameworks, and their role in your clinical decision-making. You'll also develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required for effective leadership, management, and teamworking to enable you to positively influence management, decisions, and care delivery of patients and service-users in your care.

This module provides you with the opportunity to further develop your skills of nursing practice including cannulation and phlebotomy. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

This module builds on professionally themed modules in year one and consolidate your preparation to become a qualified nurse. You will have the opportunity to develop future nurse leader skills to prepare you to positively influence care beyond the organisation to a national and global level. You will also have the chance to develop skills in promoting quality care and service improvements across and beyond the organisation. The module prepares you to undertake the role of teacher to individuals and groups, as well as the role of practice supervisor for future nurses.

This module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in stage one and two. You will have the opportunity to expand your range of assessment skills and apply them under minimum supervision whilst managing and coordinating the care of adults with a range of conditions varying in complexity and in a range of settings. The module also assists you to develop skills in advanced care management and complex discharge or transfer planning.

This module provides the opportunity for you to gain fundamental skills of nursing practice including intravenous medicines administration. You will complete a practice learning experience, where you will put the theory you have learnt into practice.

This module builds on the evidence and research modules in year 1, enabling you to systematically undertake a literature review or a small scale research project based on the research proposal developed in year 1. You will have the opportunity to develop a detailed literature review report or research study report. You will use one of a variety of approaches including qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, audit or a review of literature undertaken in a systematic way within the adult nursing field. You will also be involved in data collection and analysis.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Interested in a placement?

Placements

Nothing can replicate working in the real world, that is why the course comprises of 50% practice, which is essential in your development. Practice includes placements, reflection, simulation and spoke visits. During the course you will undertake a number of compulsory practice learning experiences in a diverse range of healthcare environments, health and social care settings. These will include statutory, private and voluntary both within inpatient and community services. They provide the opportunity for you to experience person-centred care, and work as part of a caring and committed multi-disciplinary team. Placements can include a variety of specialist medical inpatient wards, elective and trauma surgical wards and community care settings.

Throughout the practical experience you will be supervised and assessed by a qualified nurse or other suitably qualified professional who will provide expert help and advice if required.

To allow you the broadest professional experience possible, practice experiences are generally offered across West Yorkshire and beyond, covering 24-hour care including evening, weekend and occasional night shifts. You will be required to travel to and during your placements. For more information visit our placements page.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

Scholarships and Bursaries

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Tuition Fee Loans

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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Why Hud

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Careers support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

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Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you’ll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you’ll soon discover that you’re never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

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Teaching Excellence

Great teaching is engaging and inspiring — it helps you reach your full potential and prepares you for the future. We don’t just teach well — we excel — and we have the awards and recognition to prove it.

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Inspiring Academics

Our researchers carry out world-leading work that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Staff within the Department of Nursing may teach you on this course.

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Research Excellence

You’ll be taught by staff who want to support your learning and share the latest knowledge and research.

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Accommodation

Looking for student accommodation? Huddersfield has you covered. HudLets has a variety of accommodation types to choose from, no matter what your preference. HudLets is the University’s approved accommodation service, run by Huddersfield Students’ Union.

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Further Study

Many of our graduates stay at Huddersfield to complete postgraduate research degrees at Masters or PhD level.

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