Program Overview

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FDSc Nursing Associate Degree Apprenticeship

Why study this course with LJMU?

This degree apprenticeship 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 who are able to safely deliver holistic person-centred, evidence-based and effective care across the lifespan. 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 supports development of Nursing Associate practical skills. University with a recent OFSTED inspection rated as GOOD with EXCELLENT in behaviour and attitudes. 95% of students surveyed said the academic support on our nursing courses was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024).

About your course

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.

Course modules

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

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

Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

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 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.

Career paths

Following successful completion of the programme, learners will be able to gain employment as a Nursing Associate in a variety of settings. There is also the opportunity for registered Nursing Associates to enter year 2 of a BSc Pre-registration Nursing Programme in their chosen field of Adult/Children's/mental Health or Learning Disabilities Nursing.

Tuition fees and funding

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Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment, and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia, and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on-campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs including those for placements, visas, and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership, and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications:

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

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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.

Additional requirements

• Interview required

An interview will be conducted involving the prospective learner and the employer prior to offering a place on the programme.

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements
• 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.

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.

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements
• 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.

How to apply

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.