Advanced Clinical Practice in Neonatal Care Degree Apprenticeship (masters)

Are you a senior neonatal nurse looking to progress without taking time away from employment?
The first minutes of life of the newborn girl
If you have an enquiry about any of the apprenticeships at the University of Plymouth, please complete the below form.
Enquiry form
You can also call us on +44 (0)1752 583625.
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 08:30 – 16:30

Entry requirements

The apprentice must be on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register or the Allied Health Professionals Council register to apply for the Advanced Clinical Practice programme, working in a role that facilitates advanced clinical practice and must meet the University's entry requirements for study at postgraduate level.
Applicants will normally have a first degree hons at 2.2 or above (those without a degree but with appropriate practice related experience relevant to the programme may be eligible to apply).
The following are essential:
  • attainment of a recognised QIS qualification
  • neonatal clinical experience of at least two years post QIS qualification.
The apprentice must hold a GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English, or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English. Other alternative qualifications may be considered please email apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk for more information

How to apply

The potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Analysis (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the Apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs. On completion of the INA the University will assess the information provided and determine the next steps.
The employer must request the Initial Needs Analysis by emailing apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk.
Applications for September 2025 will open on Monday 13th January 2025.
Deadline to apply for September 2025 is 30th June 2025.
For more information or to express your interest please contact us.

Fees and funding

Apprentices do not pay any course fees. Costs are covered by the government and/or the organisation. As education funding experts, we can support you in accessing funding via the apprenticeship levy or can provide alternative funding options to minimise or eradicate any up-front costs.

The total course cost for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice is £12,000.

Funding models

There are currently two funding models available:

  • Co-funded: Non levy organisations and Levy who have exceeded their Levy contribution.
  • Fully funded: Levy paying organisations.

Co-funded

If you are a non-levy paying organisation or you are a Levy organisation who has exceeded their pot the government will financial co-support your Apprenticeship training – they will contribute 95 per cent of the costs and as the employer you will contribute 5 per cent.

Government contribution £11,400

Employer contribution £600

Apprentice contribution £0


Fully funded

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please make contact with us.

Employer contribution £12,000

Introduction

Do you want to enhance your career opportunities and learning within the specialist field of neonatal nursing? Are you a senior neonatal nurse looking to progress without taking time away from employment?
Our Advanced Clinical Practice in Neonatal Care Apprenticeship has been developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, to empower new and existing employees to earn an MSc Advanced Neonatal Practitioner qualification whilst in paid employment.
This work-based programme is a flexible alternative to traditional university study, and offers innovative and inspirational teaching by subject experts via a blended learning approach.
Other Advanced Clinical Practitioner Pathways

Programme overview

  • Three-year programme designed for senior neonatal nurses with an ambition to become an Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
  • Study in an inter-professional setting with core modules delivered by an academic team with extensive experience, as well as programme specific modules delivered by specialist neonatal practitioners.
  • Inclusive of independent and supplementary prescribing and routine examination of the newborn competencies.

Key benefits

  • @Develop your skills in advanced clinical practice: to promote efficiency, effectiveness and quality with a resultant positive impact upon patient care.

  • @High quality programme: equipping individuals for lead roles in management and clinical neonatal practice.

  • @Clinically centred work-based learning and assessment: in alignment with national healthcare policy and professional bodies.

  • @No course fees for apprentices: costs are covered by the government and/or employer.

  • @Ongoing support: Guidance from experienced academic tutors and qualified staff throughout the programme.

Team of nurses in neonatal intensive care unit checking on a premature's vital signs and taking notes writing the numbers on a clipboard

Core skills

The aim of the programme is to equip practitioners to advance knowledge and skills by:
  • Developing a contemporary approach to health and social care through advancing and utilising knowledge and skills in professional practice.
  • Ensuring professional practice is underpinned by a focus on excellence and sustainability by developing a critical, analytical and creative approach.
  • Critically reviewing trends in theory, practice and management relating to Neonatal practice.
  • Promote an understanding of the philosophy and procedures involved in research and use of evidence.
Healthcare professionals ls and students in clinical areas at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital

MSc Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

For those who are not eligible through the degree apprenticeships route, please view our student funded programme – MSc Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner .
Our innovative new programme has been developed through close collaboration with key stakeholders, including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, to empower you to develop as an advanced practitioner. The contemporary focus inspires efficiency, effectiveness and quality of practice to positively impact on neonatal care.
Feet of a newborn infant sleeping in a incubator, copyright Anna Jurkovska, courtesy of Shutterstock

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes at Plymouth are tailored to you and your career

Focusing on practice placements

Our nursing students gain real world experience with 20 per cent of their course spent on placement. You will participate in the best and most varied hands-on experience within a host locality.

Practice experience can be obtained within your own unit as appropriate or facilitated at a unit of suitable designation in negotiation with your employer.


Student nurses in neonatal care.
Inside of Roland Levinsky Building