Why choose LJMU?
- Supports widening access participation in healthcare education to support the development of the Nursing Associate workforce
- The course aims to develop Nursing Associates who are accountable, safe, and proficient practitioners able to safely deliver holistic person-centred, evidence-based and effective care
- Learners will be able to complete a Foundation Degree whilst in employment
- Contemporary modules to reflect current workforce development needs
- Varied assessment model that prepares the learner for practice
- Simulated learning to support development of practical skills
- University with a recent OFSTED inspection rated as GOOD with EXCELLENT in behaviour and attitudes
- 97% of students on this course said teaching staff were good at explaining things and 92% said the course challenged them to achieve their best work (NSS 2025)
- 93% of students on this course were positive about the learning resources provided (NSS 2025)
About this apprenticeship
The FdSc Nursing Associate apprenticeship route programme supports the learner to achieve a Foundation Degree whilst in employment.
The programme is delivered over 24 months and is full time.
Each year consists of 6 modules each 20 credits. Year 1 is 120 credits at level 4 and year two 120 credits at level 5. The programme delivers an equal balance of theory and practice learning. The programme consists of a two day a week theory delivered at LJMU. Learning in theory will be facilitated using a variety of methods including seminars, workshops and simulated learning.
In each academic year students will have to undertake five theoretical assessments in addition to being assessed in practice. They will be assessed utilising a variety of assessment methods utilising a range of assessment styles. Learning in theory
On completion of the programme learners will complete with a Foundation Degree and be eligible to apply for an NMC registration as a Nursing Associate.
This apprenticeship programme is aligned to the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Nursing Associate NMC (2018) standard ST0827 (IFATE, 2018). This programme is also approved by the Nursing and midwifery Council.
Apprenticeship week celebration
" The degree apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity because you get to work as well as go to university at the same time."
" Very proud, support from practice and support from university, very proud I can make a difference"
Modules
What you will study on this apprenticeship
All modules are core modules there are no optional modules in this programme.
Level 4 modules:
- The Nursing Associate as a professional
- Introduction to the Provision and Monitoring of Effective Care
- Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
- Principles of Law and Ethics for Nursing Associate Practice
- Establishing Effective Communication
- Principles of Nursing Associate Practice
Level 5 modules:
- Improving Safety and Quality of Care
- Developing Provision and Monitoring of Effective Care
- Evidence based practice and Preventing Ill Health
- Complex Care and the Role of the Nursing Associate
- Effective Interdisciplinary Team Working
- Developing Nursing Associate Practice
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
The Nursing Associate as a Professional
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to understand, consider and demonstrate the professional principles that underpin your practice, specifically the NMC Code, your personal and others’ expectations as an ambassador for the role. The module will explore how you care for and manage yourself and the impact that has on your ability to undertake your nursing associate role.
Introduction to the Provision and Monitoring of Effective Care
20 credits
20 credits
This module will facilitate you, the Nursing Associate, to understand key anatomy and physiology across the lifespan. The module will explore the impact of medicines, develop your understanding of pharmacology, and how these link to your ability to deliver effective care.
Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to develop your understanding of the evidence related to factors which impact upon health. The module will explore the complexities relating to public health and how adapting care to the needs of the individual can aid in the prevention of ill health and promote a healthy lifestyle within the population.
Principles of Law and Ethics for Nursing Associate Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to develop the knowledge and understanding of the legal frameworks for the delivery of care, how they apply to you and how they support the most vulnerable in society. The module will explore inclusivity and diversity and your responsibility as a health professional.
Establishing Effective Communication
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to explore how key communication approaches are developed, understood, and applied within the practice setting. This module requires you to look at yourself and develop your communication skills within the boundaries of your professional role.
Principles of Nursing Associate Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module will introduce and develop the principles of professional practice and introduce the scope of competencies for the nursing associate role guided by the NMC Standards of Proficiency for the Nursing Associate. This module will run alongside your practice placements and will introduce the skills required for Nursing Associate practice enabling you to engage with care of individuals across different health and care settings.
Core modules
Improving Safety and Quality of Care
20 credits
20 credits
This module enables you to examine the relationships between quality, safety and safe and effective person-centred care. You will apply your knowledge of frameworks and legislation to an awareness of assessing and managing risks and maintaining a safe patient environment.
Developing Provision and Monitoring of Effective Care
20 credits
20 credits
This module enables you to develop your underpinning knowledge of commonly encountered conditions, health monitoring and working in partnership with others to provide safe and effective care.
Evidence based practice and Preventing Ill Health
20 credits
20 credits
This module enables you to develop your understanding of the principles of research and how this informs evidence-based practice in relation to public health and the prevention of ill health.
Complex Care and the Role of the Nursing Associate
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to develop your understanding of the role of a Nursing Associate within end-of-life care, providing you with an overview of the legal frameworks. You will explore the challenges and complexities of providing safe and effective nursing care for patients with complex co-morbidities and care needs.
Effective Interdisciplinary Team Working
20 credits
20 credits
This module enables you to consolidate your identity as a Nursing Associate and your role working in partnership with others. You will explore how you act as a role model within the healthcare team, through support and supervision and reflect on your future progression.
Developing Nursing Associate Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module will support you to develop your professional practice in preparation to meet the requirements of the Nursing Associate role as guided by the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates.
Professional accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and aligned to the Standards for pre-registration nursing associate programmes (NMC, 2023).
Your learning experience
How the apprenticeship is taught
The programme utilises a variety of teaching and learning approaches that are designed to engage and inspire apprentice learners. These include lectures, seminars, group work activities, simulation and tutorials. LJMU’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2023-2030 has guided the programme delivery to ensure that learners develop and utilise progressively higher level academic skills throughout the modules, as well as subject specific knowledge and skills as they become inquiring and confident apprenticeship learners.
The range of learning and teaching strategies that are applied across the programme seek to develop and foster independence in the acquisition of knowledge and facilitate the application of theoretical knowledge. Learners will therefore:
- Be enabled in acquiring knowledge through supported on-the-job learning. This will include being directed to scholarly activities that will prepare them for scheduled teaching activity that is provided directly by members of staff in real time, either face-to-face or synchronous online. This may take the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials and webcasts.
- Be supported in engaging in online asynchronous activity. Examples include asynchronous tutorial discussions, tutor-facilitated discussion boards, and tutor-facilitated collaborative or individual projects such as wikis, padlets, blogs and e-portfolios. While they may not be present at the same times as the learners, academic staff actively, iteratively, and directly engage with learners to facilitate and guide learning, and are visible, engaged and active in the virtual learning environment and will contain an activity which contributes towards the development of the Knowledge Skills and Behaviours (KSB’s).
- Consolidate theoretical learning in the practice learning environment whilst being supported and assessed by practice supervisors and assessors and academic assessors as per the requirements of the NMC Standards for Supervision and Assessment (2023).
How you will be assessed
Learners will usually undertake one assessment for every theoretical module. Assessment methods will be authentic to practice to demonstrate knowledge and competency, and replicate or further advance of ‘real-world’ tasks that learners are expected to experience in their professional careers.
Formative assessment will take place both within the theoretical module delivery and learning environment. To prepare for theoretical assessment apprentice learners will be given the opportunity to practice the appropriate skills that relate to the variety of assessment methods that are utilised throughout the programme. This will enable them to adequately prepare for written, verbal, practical and examination forms of assessment in each year of study.
Course tutors
Joanne has been in nurse education at LJMU since November 2019 and is a Registered Children's Nurse. Joanne's clinical career has been based at Alder Hey and included working on paediatric intensive care and more recently as a research nurse. Joanne had an honorary contract with Liverpool University Institution of Infection and Global Health from Dec 2012- Nov 2019.and obtained MSc(Res) in Health at the University of Central Lancaster in 2015.
Joanne is programme lead for the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme and has an active role in the design and delivery of nurse education programmes.
Her interests include evidence based practice , safety and quality of care and student engagement in research and the development of future nurse researchers. Joanne is currently undertaking a PhD.
Funding this apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are funded courses, with learning costs paid to the university by the employer. This is done either through the Apprenticeship levy (for large companies) or with the help of the government’s co-investment model (for smaller companies).
If you aren’t already employed by a company that is willing to sponsor you through an apprenticeship, you’ll need to find one. You can do this by regularly checking the Government’s Find an apprenticeship website.
You can also approach an employer yourself to find out whether they would be interested in offering Apprenticeships and ask them to contact us. Our team will be able to explain how they can access the correct funding and the next steps.
Information for potential employers
If an employer has a wage bill of over £3 million, it would automatically pay the Government levy and would use this to fund learning via the company Apprenticeship Service Account.
Non-Levy companies can access funding via the Government co-investment model, whereby the Government will fund 95% of the learning costs and the company will fund the remaining 5%.
To access the Government funds, non-levy paying employers are required to set up an account on the Apprenticeship Service and reserve funding for apprentices, no earlier than three months before the course start date. Find out more information regarding setting up an apprenticeship service account. LJMU will still invoice non-levy paying companies for their contribution, but without this account LJMU will be unable to draw down the Government co-investment funding for the apprentices.
Next steps and onboarding
To begin the apprentice onboarding process, the employer must first be an LJMU-approved employer. To check whether your company is already a LJMU-approved employer please check the company drop down on the online application form.
If your company is not listed, please complete/ask your employer to complete the following application form to get started. Degree Apprenticeship Employer Form
Candidate submits application form: LJMU Learner online application form.
Employer to Reserve Funding via the Apprenticeship Service /or if a levy paying organisation, register your learner via the Apprenticeship Service
Employer and Candidate complete onboarding. Further information on the onboarding process can be found on our guide for onboarding apprentices page.
Partner with LJMU
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Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Qualification requirements
A levels
A minimum of 32 UCAS points which can be achieved through A level or BTEC National Extended Diploma. A minimum of two GCSE's which must include Maths and English at grade C or above OR level 2 Equivalency in Numeracy and Literacy.
Other international requirements
Evidence of proof of equivalency from UK ENIC can be used where an individual has an international qualification. To access the apprenticeship, the individual must have a valid and eligible status. Non-UK nationals are eligible for funding if they have been resident in the UK for at least the previous three year period on the first day of the apprenticeship.
Additional requirements
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Interview required
An interview will be conducted involving the prospective learner and the employer prior to offering a place on the programme.
Further information
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DBS Requirements
An Enhanced DBS clearance is required to be evidenced as part of the application process.
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RPL
Recognition of prior learning is permitted where this can be mapped to the programme learning outcomes in line with University Recognition of Prior Learning policy and only up to a maximum of 50% of the programme (NMC standards for Nursing Associate Programmes 2023).
This maximum limit of 50 percent does not apply to applicants to pre-registration Nursing Associate programmes who are currently a NMC registered nurse without restrictions on their practice.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU Degree Apprenticeship form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
If you aren’t already employed by a company or a Trust that is willing to sponsor you through an apprenticeship, you’ll need to find one. You can do this by regularly checking the Government’s Find an apprenticeship website.
You can also approach an employer yourself to find out whether they would be interested in offering Degree Apprenticeships and ask them to contact us. Our team will be able to explain to them how they can access the correct funding and the next steps.
Just like any other job application, you’ll go through a recruitment process with the employer. Check out our interview tips to help you prepare for your Degree Apprenticeship interview. You’ll also need to meet the entry requirements to attend Liverpool John Moores University just like any other student. To do this, find your course and make sure you meet the requirements of the particular course associated with your Degree Apprenticeship.
To apply for a Degree Apprenticeship course complete the online application form.
Once you have applied you are required to complete and return a skills scan document that is automatically sent to you upon receipt of your application. The skills scan enables the programme team to carry out an initial assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) that you have acquired through your previous experience and study.
Following consideration of your skills scan, you and your employer contact will be invited to attend a meeting with the Programme Leader to further discuss the requirements of the apprenticeship, including the KSBs set out within the applicable Apprenticeship Standard.
If your application is successful, you’ll enter into an employment/apprenticeship contract with your employer which will set out the obligations of all parties involved in the apprenticeship.
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