Thinking about a degree?
Alternatives to a Nursing degree
To become a registered nurse in England you need a degree-level qualification, but you don't have to study it full time at university.
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Routes to consider
- Registered nurse degree apprenticeship (Level 6)
- The same NMC registration, earned while employed by a health provider.
- Nursing associate apprenticeship (Level 5)
- A registered role in its own right, and a step towards becoming a nurse.
- Healthcare assistant
- An entry-level role. Many employers support you onto nursing training later.
Is a degree apprenticeship better than this course?
A nursing degree apprenticeship gives you the same registration as the university route, and you're paid while you train. Places depend on employers offering them.
When the degree is still the right call: Choose the university route if no local employer is offering apprenticeships, or if you want to pick from a wider range of specialisms and placements.
Check the facts for yourself
- Nurse: National Careers Service profile
- Nursing associate: National Careers Service profile
- Healthcare assistant: National Careers Service profile
- To compare specific university courses, use the official Discover Uni site.
Other guides: Law, Psychology, Computer Science, Business, or apprenticeship vs university.
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