What is the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship?
The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) offers a flexible, alternative route to become a Registered Nurse. This apprenticeship is a work-based pathway which allows an individual to earn a salary, whilst learning about the profession and train to become a fully qualified registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship combines theoretical learning, hands-on clinical experience and practical skills, to prepare apprentices for a career in Nursing. An apprenticeship levy can be applied for by the employer of the apprentice, to cover the cost of the tuition fees. Once the apprenticeship has been successfully completed, individuals are awarded a BSc Hons in Nursing and able to register with the NMC.
Who is the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship for?
The aim of the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is to increase the capacity and capability of the Nursing workforce.
The Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is for:
- Individuals who hold a level 5 qualification including Registered Nursing Associate’s and Assistant Practitioner’s.
- Individuals who have demonstrated the capabilities and commitment to progress to Registered Nurse status.
How to progress from a Registered Nursing Associate to a Registered Nurse?
For individuals who hold a level 5 qualification as a Registered Nursing Associate or an Assistant Practitioner, an accreditation of prior learning (APL) may be able to be applied to recognise the previous knowledge, learning and experience gained. With regards to this recognition, apprentices may therefore be able to enter the Nursing degree programme at the halfway point of year two (to be discussed with the higher education institution).
There are also some general apprenticeship requirements to meet:
- Those wishing to complete an apprenticeship must have their employer’s approval and hold a contract of employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week, although the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeships require individuals to work 37.5 hours per week to achieve the required placement hours and academic learning. To meet the NMC standards for the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, there is the requirement to evidence 4600 hours of learning, divided equally between theory (2,300 hours of combined contact time at the university and guided/independent study) AND practice (2300 hours completed through clinical placements), over the duration of the programme.
- The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) require apprentices to undertake a minimum of 20% off the job learning.
Requirements to commence the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
- Higher educational institutions require applicants to hold English and Maths GCSE Grade C /4 & above, OR Functional Skills level 2 English and Maths.
- Applicants must have lived in the UK for 3+ years and hold a visa that would support the apprenticeship for the entire length of the programme, including end point assessments. Some exceptions may apply. Details can be found in the apprenticeship funding rules: Apprenticeship funding rules 2025 to 2026 , along with some examples shared at the end *
- If the 3 year UK residency status does not apply to an individual, please speak with the higher educational institution to discuss further.
Funding for the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (training and assessment fee’s)
- A Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account is required to be set up to hire apprentices and access government funding. The DAS is an official online portal in the UK, which allows employers to find, fund, and manage their apprenticeship programmes. Further information can be found here Employing an apprentice: Create an account – GOV.UK
- Once the DAS has been set up, an apprenticeship levy can be applied for by the employer, to cover the training and assessment fees, provided the individual is enrolled on an approved apprenticeship standard and the employer uses an approved training provider. It is important to note, the levy funds only cover training and assessment, and does not cover salaries, travel, or supervision costs. Further information regarding applying for an apprenticeship levy can be found here: Employing an apprentice: Get funding for apprenticeship training – GOV.UK
- Further information about Gloucestershire Primary Care apprenticeships and the digital apprenticeship service account can be found here: Apprenticeships – Gloucestershire Primary Care Workforce Centre
- In May 2026, NHS England announced employers of Registered Nursing Associates, who are undertaking the RNDA progression route will receive a training grant of £9,072 per year, for two years, per apprentice. The training grant is a payment made to the employer of the apprentice, to provide financial support for the duration of the training. The grant can be used to support recruitment costs, uniform, DBS checks, supervision and assessment, training materials and apprentice travel costs.
Where can the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship be studied?
There are various options available for completing the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship.
- The University of Gloucestershire is the local higher education institution who provides an in person taught program. Please follow the link for more information: Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship – University of Gloucestershire
- The Open University offer a remote approach to complete the apprenticeship. Please follow the following link for more information: Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship | Open University
Please view the Department of Health’s fact sheet for further information on the registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship Nursing degree apprenticeship: factsheet – GOV.UK
For further information about the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, please contact the Primary Care Training Hub glicb.pcwc@nhs.net
* Apprenticeship funding rules- examples of some exceptions:
26.2. Is able to complete the apprenticeship within the time they have available, including the end-point assessment. If the provider knows an individual is unable to complete the apprenticeship in the time they have available, (e.g. because their visa will expire or because they have a fixed term contract which is shorter than the duration of the apprenticeship), they must not be funded.
Non-UK nationals 325. Non-UK nationals are eligible for funding if: 325.1. They have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3-year period on the first day of their apprenticeship; 325.2. Whose ordinary residence in the UK and Islands has not during any part of that period been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education; and 325.3. Have permission granted by the UK government to live in the UK and such permission is not for education purposes only.
334. Any individual with any of the statuses listed below, is eligible to receive funding and is exempt from the 3-year residency requirement rule but will need to be ordinarily resident in the UK since the grant of their status. Providers must have seen the individual’s immigration permission (see the evidence requirements for learner eligibility) in these circumstances.