Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship

Key Details

Award: Foundation Science Degree
Course Length: 2 Years
Course Start Date: September 2025

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Overview

The Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship is open both to those currently working in health and social care or those interested in pursuing a career in this sector.

This two-year apprenticeship will enable you to develop knowledge, skills, and experience to become a nursing associate. Successful completion will lead to:

A Foundation degree Health Studies (Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship)
Eligibility to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate
Eligibility for employment as a Nursing Associate within the Health and Social Care Sector

Delivered in partnership with employers, the course involves work-based learning, clinical placements, and theoretical learning, and encompasses the four fields of nursing (Adult, Mental Health, Learning Disability and Children and Young People). You will receive ongoing support and guidance both in practice and from the university throughout your learning journey.

Apprentices earn as they learn. By completing this course, you will be employed for either 30 or 37.5 hours a week by a health or social care employer partner. You will undertake theoretical learning, Protected Learning Time in your employed area, and supernumerary placements outside your normal place of work to meet the requirements of the NMC Standards for Nursing Associates, and the IfATE Nursing Associate Apprenticeship standard (NMC 2018).

Course Details

In each academic year as a Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) apprentice you will study three theory modules over three terms – one module per term. You will also study one year-long practice module in each year, consisting of protected learning time in your home (employed) area and formative supernumerary placements, as scheduled in your course planner.

The first year of the course is Level 4 and the second year is Level 5: Qualification Levels.

Year 1

Term One: Personal and Professional Development
This module provides you with a foundation for your personal and professional development as a pre-registration nursing associate. You will begin to identify and develop your skills for successful higher education study as well as transferable employability skills. In addition, you will explore ethical and legal issues in relation to relevant laws, their professional code of practice and personal value systems and beliefs. 

Term Two: Fundamentals of Person Focused Care
In this module you will explore the theory and practice of person focused care and will establish the fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology across the lifespan, drawing on the disciplines of anatomy, physiology, and human biology. The aim of the module is to increase your insight and understanding of diverse health and care needs of individuals.

Term Three: Working Effectively with People and Professionals to Provide Care
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with people and professionals to provide care. Within the module you will explore the social and psychological context in which care takes place and consider communication in the context of diverse range of health backgrounds and across the lifespan. Importantly, you will consider the social and psychological context of your own and others behaviour, attitudes, and prejudices, to develop your self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Year one, yearlong module: Practice and simulation module PART 1
This PART (year) 1 yearlong practice and simulation module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to establish the foundations of safe and effective nursing associate practice, supported by your assigned practice assessors, practice supervisors and academic assessor. Practice and Simulation for Nursing Associates modules are yearlong and integrate clinical skills and simulated learning in school, and both formative and summative placements in clinical practice settings. In conjunction with the PART 2 (year 2) practice and simulation module, this module provides you with the breadth and depth of learning required to meet the standards and are designed to enable you to meet the practice requirements of your course, and course practice hours in accordance with the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018), and the NMC Standards for pre-registration Nursing Associate programmes (2023).

Year 2

Term 1: Concepts of Health and Illness Across the Lifespan
Within this module you will consider public health and health promotion approaches, and the opportunities and challenges faced by health and social care practitioners in promoting healthy lifestyles. You will consider ill health across the lifespan and the impact that health behaviours can have on disease development and health and wellbeing, drawing on and developing further your knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Term 2: Evidence-based Practice and Pharmacology and Medicines Management for Nursing Associates
This module supports you to develop an understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice and build fundamental skills and knowledge in pharmacology and medicines management. You will appraise research and evidence-based practice to develop skills that underpin the provision of safe and effective patient care. In addition, the module will facilitate your understanding of medicines management within the confines of legislation, clinical governance and professional expectations required to administer prescribed medicines safely and appropriately.

Term Three: Supervision, Leadership and Employability for Nursing Associates
This module will enable you to explore your role in leadership, supervision, and practice education. You will critically reflect and appraise your own capabilities and professional performance within the context of an integrated and changing health and care environment and identify areas where skills, values and behaviours may be developed ready for transition to an NMC registrant. This module will further develop and enhance employability skills within the context of the health and social care and reflect upon your personal and professional development in readiness of the end of the programme.

Year Two, yearlong module: Practice and simulation module PART 2
This PART (year) 2 practice and simulation module will enable you to build on knowledge and skills gained during your PART (year) 1 practice learning, supported by your assigned practice assessor, practice supervisors and academic assessor. Practice and Simulation for Nursing Associates modules are yearlong and integrate clinical skills and simulated learning in school, and both formative and summative placements in clinical practice settings. In conjunction with the PART 1 practice and simulation module, this module provides you with the breadth and depth of learning required to meet the standards and are designed to enable you to meet the practice requirements of your course, and course practice hours in accordance with the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018), and the NMC Standards for pre-registration Nursing Associate programmes (2023).

Entry Requirements

GCSE English at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2, or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualification list.*
GCSE Math at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2, or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualification list.
The Care Certificate
Enhanced Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
Occupational Health clearance.

*If you studied English as a second language overseas, please email apprenticeships@uea.ac.uk for
advice.

Further Information / Application process

How do I apply?

The process is employer-led. This means that the opportunity to apply is advertised by employers and not via the university nor via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Employers will either advertise internally to candidates who already work for them, or externally to new candidates via NHS Jobs and once the programme is advertised, applicants will be required to complete an initial Expression of Interest form (EOI). Initial employer shortlisting will be based on the EOI and shortlisted candidates will then be asked to formally apply to the University.

For further information or enquiries:

For more information about working together or supporting an employee via an apprenticeship:

Information for Employers