Key information
For:
starting September 2026
Typical offer:
32 points at A level in a science, healthcare, or social care subject, or equivalent work experience and/or qualifications.
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Whether you’re just starting your career in healthcare, or want to make an ambitious career move, doing a degree apprenticeship is the perfect way to take your first step to becoming registered.
On this BN (Hons) Nursing (Adult) Degree Apprenticeship, you’ll spend half your time studying for your degree at the University, and the other half working with your employer in clinical practice. The Government, or your employer, pay your tuition fees – so it doesn’t cost you anything.
You’ll develop the skills and knowledge to become a confident, professional Adult Nurse, able to deliver and lead adult care within evolving health and social care environments. Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship, you’ll be able to register as an Adult Nurse in the UK.
Course highlights
- Observe, examine, assess and engage with patients and service users in community and hospital settings
- Develop skills in evidence-based decision making to support and deliver best-practice healthcare
- Use the University’s simulation facilities to develop and refine your clinical skills and competence
- Develop critical thinking, resilience and leadership skills
- Work with experienced nurses and practitioners in clinical practice to meet the needs of the local community
Approved by:
This course has been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning the course meets the standards of education, training, conduct and performance required for nurses in the UK.
For pre-registration nursing, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018, Part 1: Standards Framework for nursing and midwifery education, 5.12, page 12) state that there is no compensation between theory and practice learning.
This course will prepare graduates to be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It is your responsibility to seek registration with the NMC, on completion of your course. This registration must be sought within 5 years of successful completion of your course.
Contact information
Contact Degree ApprenticeshipsThis is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
Entry requirements
BN (Hons) Nursing (Adult) (Degree Apprenticeship) (Extended) entry requirements
Typical offers
- 32 points at A level in a science, healthcare, or social care subject, or equivalent work experience and/or qualifications
-
T-levels - Pass (D or E in the Core)
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - PPP
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
- All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
- Applicants aged 16-18 must have acceptable Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths, such as GCSE with grade C/4 or above or Functional Skills. If you do not have acceptable qualifications, you will be required to obtain this. Those aged 19 and over are only subject to these requirements if you or your employer choose for you to study towards English and Maths qualifications, which will be funded. Please note that you may still be required to evidence accepted Level 2 qualifications for the course, as part of academic assessment.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Values and the NHS Constitution
We embed the principles and values of the NHS Constitution in all our health and social care courses. When you apply for this course, we’ll expect you to demonstrate how your values align with the values of the Constitution.
Modules
What you'll study
Core modules in this year include:
- Foundations of Person-Centred Care – 40 credits
- Fundamentals of Human Science – 20 credits
- Nursing Practice Based Learning 1 – 40 credits
- Transition to Pre-Registration Healthcare – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Impact of Long Term Conditions on Public Health – 40 credits
- Nursing Practice Based Learning 2 – 40 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Acute Care for the Deteriorating Adult – 20 credits
- Clinical Decision Making for Nursing – 20 credits
- Complex Integrated Healthcare – 20 credits
- Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Leadership, Management and Education in Healthcare – 20 credits
- Nursing Practice Based Learning 3 – 40 credits
- Project for Healthcare Professionals – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
The good news is there's no cost to you as the degree apprentice, as this is an opportunity for your employer to upskill and invest in you – so you won't have to worry about paying back tuition fees. The payment of the course fee is shared between the Government and your employer.
For further information, you can visit our Degree Apprenticeships page or contact our team.
How to apply
Application deadline
- The application deadline to start in September 2026 is to be confirmed.
Applications received after this date may not be considered.
I'm applying with my current employer
If you're already in full-time work, and your employer is interested in you studying this course, get them to contact us and we'll work out how to work together.
If your employer isn't interested yet, you might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.
Employer contact form Information for employers
I'm looking for a job with a Degree Apprenticeship role
If you're not in full-time employment, or your current employer is not interested in degree apprenticeships, you'll need to find a role that does offer a degree apprenticeship. You can search the gov.uk list of open degree apprenticeship vacancies, or contact us with your details and we'll let you know when degree apprenticeship vacancies come up.
When you apply for a role that includes one of our degree apprenticeships, you'll follow the company's standard recruitment process for the job, while we assess your academic suitability for the course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
Finalising this course
All our courses go through a rigorous approval process to make sure they’re of the highest quality. This includes a review by a panel of experts, made up of academic staff and an external academic or professional with specialist knowledge.
This course is in the final stages of this process and is open for applications. If any details of the course or its approval status change after you apply, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and will be here to discuss your options with you.