Overview
Nursing is a rewarding career where you have a real chance to make a difference in people's lives. As part of your training, you can expect to learn new skills and procedures that help patients everywhere. There are many reasons why you should consider a career as a nurse. It offers you the chance to make a difference from day one, a high degree of flexibility and a career with excellent employment prospects.
Some people choose to take nursing degree apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional degree courses.
Nursing degree apprenticeships are, like all apprenticeships, employer-led. The employer releases the apprentice to study at an approved educational institution and in a range of practice settings so apprentices can get the full range of skills and knowledge required to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Apprentices will need to achieve the same high standards that the NMC expect from students who take the traditional degree course before they can join their register.
The Apprenticeship Programme has been developed to ensure that student nurses are prepared to successfully meet the standards of proficiency for registered nurses (NMC 2018) and the occupation standards for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018)(IATE, 2021) at the point of registration.
We have multiple intakes a year. Please see the table below for further details:
ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
Some students may have previous relevant learning, including formal certified learning such as an access course or another degree, or practice-based learning that was part of another course or gained through paid or voluntary work. Evidence of this learning may contribute to meeting some programme requirements, assessed through LSBU’s own APL process. Up to 50 percent of the programme can be accredited in this way.
Nursing Associates are encouraged to apply via APL. Those who have gained FdSc Nursing Associate at LSBU will be able to APL their qualification and start on year 3 of the programme, which means they could complete the RNDA in as little as 18 months.
Same qualifications from other universities will also be considered on an individual basis.
Guidance for Completion of RPL Portfolio Bsc Hons Adult Nursing RNDA (PDF File 733 KB)
RPL Portfolio LSBU ANA RNDA BSc Nons Pre regisitration Nursing Programme
RPL Portfolio RNDA BSc Hon Pre registration Nursing Programme
The full apprenticeship standard and assessment plan can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Employment Guidelines (PDF File 736 KB)
Apprenticeship Evidence Pack Guidance (PDF File 737 KB)
Why Adult Nursing at LSBU?
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- Ranked 2nd amongst London competitors for Graduate Prospects in Nursing (Complete University Guide 2023)
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- LSBU Nursing & Midwifery graduates are the highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and fifth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022).
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- Gain practical experience in leading NHS Trusts across London.
Ranked 3rd in London overall for Nursing and 96 percent of graduates get graduate level jobs or are in further education at professional or higher education level, within 15 months of graduation (Guardian University Guide 2023). - star-o
- Professional accreditation: our courses are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
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- Extensive nursing skills facilities at all of our campus sites (Southwark and Croydon)
Campus
This course is only available to study at our Southwark campus, right in the heart of London.
| ModePart-time | DurationUp to 36 Months Practical Period & 6 Months EPA (42 months) | Start dateSeptember | Application code5952 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| ModePart-time | Duration18 Months Inclusive of EPA | Start dateJanuary | Application code5953 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Course Accreditations
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NMC
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
- AA*/BBC or above at A-Level (or equivalent) plus five GCSEs/equivalent (C or above) to include Maths and English or reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above.; or
- BTEC National Diploma DMM - plus five GCSEs/equivalent (C or above) to include Maths and English or reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above.; or
- Pass in a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma in Nursing course or similar (45 credits Level 3 including 21 at Merit grade and 15 credits at Level 2);plus.
- English and Maths GCSEs/equivalent (C or above) or reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above.; or
- A recognised equivalent.
- Access to HE Diploma in Nursing or similar with 15 distinctions and 30 merits to include Maths and English or equivalent (C or above) or reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above.
- Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 112 UCAS points and GCSEs Maths and English or equivalent (C or above) or reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above.
- Be employed in a health/social care organisation and be working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Be sponsored by a manager in an employing organisation who commits to ensuring students are supported to undertake day release and to attend off the job training, protected learning time and supernumerary status.
All applicants must hold:
112 UCAS tariff points
Additionally, students must:
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Funding
The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy. The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not). You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers
The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.
Bands
Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard. There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.
Incentives
Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government. All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government. You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.
Cost
You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website. To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at apprenticeships@lsbu.ac.uk
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home
| Mode Part-time | Duration Up to 36 Months Practical Period & 6 Months EPA (42 months) | Start date September | Application code 5952 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
| Mode Part-time | Duration 18 Months Inclusive of EPA | Start date January | Application code 5953 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
An Apprenticeship Standard is comprised of a programme of study, an End Point Assessment and on-the-job learning. This means that in addition to meeting academic requirements, you’ll need to be employed in a role related to your apprenticeship. The process of applying depends on whether you have an employer to sponsor (and support) you.
If you are employed and your employer has confirmed they will support your apprenticeship:
You are welcome to submit an application via our application system. You’ll need to provide details of your employment/employer as part of the application. You’ll also need to ensure you and your employer meet the requirements – find out who can be an apprentice to see if you meet the entry requirements and employer commitments to find out more about your employer’s role.
If you are not employed:
- You will need to find a job role related to the apprenticeship you wish to apply for, with an employer who is happy to support you. If you would like to find an employer to support your apprenticeship with LSBU, you can search which employers are currently advertising Apprenticeships via the National Apprenticeship Service website searching for ‘London South Bank University’ as keywords.
- If there are no search results, this means there are currently no vacancies. We update our vacancies regularly, so please do check back regularly.
- Many employers advertise their apprenticeship vacancies on their websites or via other portals. You could search for ‘find an apprenticeship’ online.
- When you’re ready to apply, see the government's advice on how to write a winning apprenticeship application and make your application.
Further information for apprentices
If you’re a prospective apprentice, you can find out more about who can be an apprentice on our student pages.
Further information for employers
If you’re an employer, you can find information about the employer commitments and further related information on the related pages for business.
See our admissions policy 1.0 MB and complaints policy 516.0 KB.
Prepare to start
There are steps the apprentices, the employer and the University need to complete before you start your course. Take a look at the steps to be completed in the Enrolment section. Employers may also like to look at our steps to offering an apprenticeship.
Important statement for new and continuing students studying Health and Social Care courses
An exciting part of many of our Health and Social Care courses is the opportunity to learn off-campus and work with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.
Please be aware that from 1 April 2022, all NHS and Social Care personnel (including students) will be required to have evidence of double vaccination against Covid. This measure has been taken to protect the public, patients and staff.
If you are unable, or unwilling, to be vaccinated, we will not be able to provide you with the practice placements necessary to complete your health care degree. If this is the case, you may wish to look at an alternative career.
See the government's press release statement.
Via the apprenticeship route, there are two intakes per year, December and June. In the apprenticeship programme, the traditional semester approach is not applicable and one module is undertaken at a time. However, students will undertake semester’s assessments at set points during each year, in line with other university students. Some modules are generic and will be taught to all fields of nursing and some are field-specific which means the module will be tailored to either Adult, Children, Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing:
Year 1
- Assessing needs and planning care in Nursing (field-specific) (60 credits) – Semester 1 and 2
This module will introduce you to the values, frameworks and skills that underpin nursing. The module focuses on different methods and frameworks engage in holistic assessment underpinned by evidence-based practice. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares you to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing, utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice. - Biosciences for nursing (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module provides you with an understanding of the structure and function of the main body’s systems and how the human body maintains homeostasis. The content of this module has been selected and developed to equip you with the necessary knowledge to inform your nursing practice and progression throughout the programme. This knowledge will enable you to go on to develop an understanding of pathophysiological processes and the fundamentals of pharmacology. You will be supported in your learning with extensive use of teaching strategies such as keylectures, workbooks and e-learning. - Communication and person-centred care (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 1
The focus of this module is on interprofessional working to promote patient safety. Students need to learn how communication can influence practice as well as therapeutic relationships and how to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice to improve patient safety. It will identify the need for a range of alternative communication techniques to effectively manage, maintain and promote safe care. - Introducing evidence-based practice for nursing (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module introduces the nature of evidence in health and social care and the importance of evidence-based practice for patients and their families and their safety and quality of experience. You will develop skills in accessing evidence, gain familiarity with the library, including the use of electronic databases and learn how to use the University’s referencing system for their material. You will learn key terms relating to research and evidence-based practice and be introduced to an evidence-based practice model. The module also sets out the context for the conduct of health and social care research, including funding and ethical aspects.
Year 2
- Providing care in Nursing (field-specific) (40 credits) – Semester 1 and 2
This module builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills and extends these for application to more complex scenarios in nursing. The module focuses on the collaborative planning and delivery of holistic care. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to think more critically about and carry out more complex nursing skills in their field, as well as developing skills shared across the four fields of nursing. The module uses a combination of teaching methods including simulated practic. - Promoting health and preventing ill health (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module introduces public health concepts and contemporary public health issues, the principles of which can then be applied at an individual and population level and within a local, national and global context. This module of study is aligned to the NMC Standard Platform 2, Promoting health and preventing ill health (NMC (2018). - Applied physiology for Nursing(field-specific) (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module will extend and deepen students’ understanding of human physiology, which will then be applied to physiological changes that take place during disease processes. Knowledge of cell receptors and some receptor groups will be linked to physiological activity in different systems then linked to the effects of certain drugs and the changes they elicit within body systems. - Appraising Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module considers how research questions are generated from practice with application to nursing. The steps in conducting research and audit, and the main research methods in health and social care are explained and associated ethical aspects are discussed. Methods of analysing and presenting different types of research data are introduced. The rationale for appraising research is considered and critical appraisal tools are reviewed. The module equips you with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice. - Safe and Effective Practice (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module aims for students to reflect on their professional identity and to develop an understanding of multidisciplinary roles within teams. It will advance students’ knowledge in relation to interprofessional working and the skills needed to work in diverse teams such as teamwork, work environment, stress and fatigue and reflective practice. The focus of the module is on collaborative team practice from a service user perspective. It will link professional practice to theory through experimental learning.
Year 3
- Enhancing and Evaluating Care in Nursing 1 (field-specific) (20 credits) – Semester 1 and 2
The module develops students’ abilities to utilise clinical reasoning to respond to and manage unfamiliar and complex scenarios in nursing, to evaluate care that is provided and to develop the skills of other members of the team. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice. - Implementing evidence-based practice in nursing(all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 1
A key aspect of evidence-based practice is the implementation of available research into practice. To equip you with the core skills and understanding to be able to implement appropriate evidence and utilise and evaluate in practice. - Complex and Critical Care (field-specific) (20 credits) – Semester 2
The module focuses on addressing the care needs of a patient who has complex care needs in line with the NMC (2018) adult field proficiencies. It will enable students to recognise, respond to and act upon their clinical findings of a patient who is deteriorating. Using a period of reflection both in and on the action, students will be supported to consolidate their knowledge and skills in a range of clinical proficiencies to enable them to become registered nurses. This will be achieved by using an enquiry based learning (EBL) approach. Facilitation will include lectures, simulation and eLearning activities. - Pharmacology and prescribing ready for Nursing (field-specific)(20 credits) – Semester 2
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and medicines management with an emphasis on clinical application. It will explore and discuss the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics alongside the pharmacology of groups of drugs commonly used in clinical practice. It will consider and critically evaluate the role and responsibilities of the nurse in relation to the safe administration of medication and the principles of non-medical prescribing in clinical practice. - Mother and New-born (all fields) (20 credits) – Semester 2
This virtual learning module introduces the student to the nature of normal childbirth and neonatal care. It explores the concepts of antenatal care, childbirth and postnatal care and the role of the midwife in the delivery of woman-centred care. Utilising a variety of online resources, students will share knowledge gained with their peers on labour, infant feeding and maternal care. This module ensures compliance with European Union Directive 2005/36/EC.
Year 4
- Enhancing and evaluating care in Nursing 2 (field-specific) (20 credits) – Semester 1
The module develops students’ abilities to utilise clinical reasoning to respond to and manage unfamiliar and complex scenarios in nursing, to evaluate care that is provided and to develop the skills of other members of the team. The module is mapped against the NMC (2018) standards and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing utilising a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice. - Transition to leadership (all fields)(20 credits) – Semester 1
This module will develop and build effective leadership skills in a complex and multidimensional health care setting. It will explore theoretical models of leadership, quality improvement and patient safety and provide an opportunity to explore how these concepts interrelate and impact the delivery of care and prepare the students for their final clinical placement.
Facilities
Adult Nursing skills laboratories
We have one adult nursing skills laboratories at our Southwark campus. This lab is set up like a nursing ward and is used by all student nurses and midwives throughout their courses. They learn manual handling and basic life support skills and skills that are specific to their field of nursing or midwifery.
SimMan
The nursing wards have simulator mannequins: SimMan, SimBaby and SimMom. These life-size mannequins are computer controlled and can be programmed with various clinical conditions. These are operated by a computer in real-time and so respond to a student's actions. They also allow students to see the outcome of specific interventions in certain scenarios, which could make the patient better or deteriorate quite quickly.
The mannequins are used to teach students how to recognise clinical signs, and to also associate those clinical signs with the actions they are taking to care for the patient. SimMan can be male or female with fully accurate anatomy and can breathe, blink, sweat, speak and groan in pain as well as have a pulse. Read more about SimMan.
Facilities
Adult Nursing skills laboratories
We have one adult nursing skills laboratories at our Southwark campus. This lab is set up like a nursing ward and is used by all student nurses and midwives throughout their courses. They learn manual handling and basic life support skills and skills that are specific to their field of nursing or midwifery.
SimMan
The nursing wards have simulator mannequins: SimMan, SimBaby and SimMom. These life-size mannequins are computer controlled and can be programmed with various clinical conditions. These are operated by a computer in real-time and so respond to a student's actions. They also allow students to see the outcome of specific interventions in certain scenarios, which could make the patient better or deteriorate quite quickly.
The mannequins are used to teach students how to recognise clinical signs, and to also associate those clinical signs with the actions they are taking to care for the patient. SimMan can be male or female with fully accurate anatomy and can breathe, blink, sweat, speak and groan in pain as well as have a pulse. Read more about SimMan.
Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
On successful completion of the course, you'll gain your BSc (Hons) in your chosen field of Nursing, which means you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You can then work as a registered nurse in medical and surgical wards or in specialist units such as Emergency Departments or Intensive Care. As your career progresses, you could become a district nurse, occupational health nurse, sexual health nurse or specialist nurse.
An adult nurse typically starts on a salary of £21,000, which can increase to £30,764-£98,453 in senior posts. (Take a look at our Prospects section for more detail).
As a graduate of this course, you can apply for further study at the postgraduate level. Browse our online CPPD prospectus to find out what courses are on offer to help with your professional development.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council – Becoming a Nurse
Placements
Students undertaking the apprentice route will follow NMC programme standards and additionally must be employed in either a health and/or care settings. The university will work with employers to ensure practice learning opportunities that allow students to develop and meet the Standards of proficiency for Register Nurses(NMC 2018).
Students will undertake practice learning in both home and external placement areas. These are defined as:
- Home placement- this is a placement a student undertakes in their primary employed role. Their line manager remains their line manager for the duration of the programme and usually belongs to their home placement.
- External placement- this is a placement a student undertakes outside of their primary employed role.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands.
Teaching and Assessment
A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used to support individuals learning styles and build competence in various methods of assessment. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, skills-lab simulations, online learning, role-play, debates/discussion, as well as supervised learning within the clinical area. Assessment methods utilised include essays, group projects, written examinations, presentations, and OSCEs.
Apprentices must demonstrate competence in all skills, knowledge, and behaviours, as defined by the integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standard. In order to successfully complete the award, apprentices must also evidence a minimum of 20% of their time in ‘off-the-job training’ activities, this can be achieved in a variety of ways; attending lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, skills-lab sessions, e-learning, blended learning and self-managed learning.
End-point assessment (EPA)
The EPA assesses whether apprentices have also passed the apprenticeship, and is based on the same professional knowledge, skills and behaviours as the occupational standard as set by the NMC. Therefore this apprenticeship has a fully integrated EPA.
