Nursing Associate (Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship)

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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945

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Nursing Associate (Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship)

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Foundation

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesMarch-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 25 month(s)

Next Intake March-2026

Nursing Associate (Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship)

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The Nursing Associate is a highly trained support role that delivers effective, safe and responsive nursing care in and across a wide range of health and care settings. This role will bridge the gap between a support worker and a Registered Nurse, providing a workforce for future healthcare. The programme is a two-year programme leading to a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree.

Nursing Associates will work independently and, as part of the healthcare team, deliver care in a range of primary, secondary, community and social care settings. In this role, you will deliver hands-on care, focusing on ensuring patients continue to get the compassionate care they deserve.

We scored 95% on the ‘Teaching on my Course’ category in the National Student Survey 2024.

Learn more at our next Open Day

At an Open Day, you'll talk to Programme Leaders, tour our facilities and attend one-to-one sessions with our team who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.

You will:

Develop high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse (or other registered health and social care professional).
Work as part of a designated team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.
Learn in our purpose-built, state-of-the-art simulation suite facilities.

Placement

options available

This is for you if...

You want to care for patients in all fields of practice (adult, children and young people, mental health and learning disability)

You would like to work in various settings including acute, primary care, mental health and learning disability care

You want to work as a registered and regulated skilled professional within Health and Social Care

You are looking to develop the skills to work with patients of all ages from pre-conception to death

You want to be part of the workforce who deliver hands on care, bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, focusing on ensuring patients get the compassionate care they deserve

You are hard working and committed to improving the health and lives of people and communities

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

Healthcare is not a nine-to-five job. Neither is being a Nursing Associate apprentice.

The programme structure will be delivered to degree apprentices on a mix of part-time, day release and block delivery basis subject to agreement by the employer and the University.

In order to undertake this degree apprenticeship, you will need to be in full-time employment (minimum 30 hours a week), spending at least 50% of your time in England. You will need to be in a relevant role and your employer must be willing to support you through the programme. Search for degree apprenticeship roles with local employers.

The apprenticeship will run over approximately two years plus one month for the EPA. A minimum of 20% of the apprenticeship will be spent off the job with the employer or in University and the rest of the time will be spent in clinical practice. Apprentices will be expected to work the shift pattern in place within the clinical area they are working in.

Whilst on programme you need to be able to demonstrate an ability to study at diploma level with a commitment to complete a foundation degree programme. You also need to be able to demonstrate that you have capability to learn professional, personal, digital and technological behaviours, skills and attributes in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code.

English language requirements

Unfortunately, we are not able to recruit international students onto our Higher and Degree Apprenticeship programmes.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

You will need GCSE Maths and English at grade C/ grade 4 or above or equivalent Functional Skills level 2.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

Experience

The Nursing Associate apprenticeship programme is for healthcare assistants or clinical support workers who are looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to develop and progress their career within healthcare.

Previous experience as a healthcare assistant or clinical support worker is desirable but not essential, however, you will need to demonstrate the commitment to undertake the challenge of a career in healthcare.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

An applicant who meets the General Entry Academic Requirements as well as further study at Level 4 or above can apply for recognition of prior learning up to a maximum of 50% of the programme. This maximum limit of 50% does not apply to applicants to pre-registration nursing associate programmes who are currently an NMC registered nurse without restrictions on their practice. Visit our Accreditation of Prior Learning webpage to find out more.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Completion of this course will prepare you with the practice experience and knowledge required to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate. You will gain experience and knowledge to work in all four fields of nursing (adult, children and young people, mental health and learning disability) and across the lifespan. You will also be able to work within a range of community, acute care, social and primary care settings within the NHS, public, private and voluntary sectors.