Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Advancing the health and social care service of the future.
This apprenticeship is ideal for those aiming to become an advanced clinical or nurse practitioner.
It enhances the skills and knowledge needed for a specialised role in acute, emergency, critical, or primary care.
Accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice, the curriculum combines theory with hands-on learning in the workplace.
Why apprenticeships at ARU?
We’ll help you reap the benefits of talent acquisition through apprenticeships.
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Strengthen leadership and decision-making skills in your workplace
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Encourage a strong learning culture and clear paths for growth
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RCN accreditation allows you to offer an enhanced service to patients
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Apprentices advance health care and patient support in specialised areas
of apprentices learnt new skills to contribute to their workplace in a practical way.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Employer partners Joe, Dan, Emma and Tim explain why ARU apprenticeships work so well for their organisations, and highlight the benefits for SMEs and larger businesses.
We’ll support you to take your career to the next level.
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Accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice
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Make an impact in your workplace as you learn
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Advance your specialist practice
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Gain a Masters degree, with no tuition fees
of alumni would recommend apprenticeships to their peers.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Let our amazing apprentices inspire you! Kerry, Grace, Izabela, Ben, Rachel and Fleur explain what they love about doing an apprenticeship with ARU.
Talent development
The apprenticeship is aimed at experienced clinicians working in areas like healthcare services, community health, and residential care.
Apprentices must also hold current registration with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions.
Recruitment support for employers
Our dedicated apprenticeship team is on hand to help you attract the best candidates for your organisation. We can help with:
- crafting job advertisements
- promoting your vacancy to our quality candidate mailing lists
- adding your vacancy to the National Apprenticeship Service
- sharing opportunities across our social media channels.
Our consultants can also help you to assess candidates' suitability.
Creating a world-class apprenticeship
See how we helped Cambridge University Press recruit for their brand new degree apprenticeship.
Programme content
The Centre for Advancing Practice
This programme is accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice. It meets the capabilities and standards set out in HEE's (2017) Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England and HEE's (2020) Standards for Education and Training.
The Centre for Advancing Practice
This programme is accredited by Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice.
Entry requirements
Employers set out the person specifications for the role, but apprentices will need to meet our entry requirements to be accepted onto this course.
- Employment in a suitable role on a permanent contract exceeding 30 hours per week.
- Employer support to undertake this course, with a confirmed, assigned Clinical Designated Facilitator.*
- A completed Skills Scan and Initial Assessment discussion, post interview.
- Evidence of Level 2 qualification in English, eg GCSE at grade 4/C or above, Functional Skills, or DfE-approved equivalent.**
- Evidence of a first degree, with honours, at a minimum final classification of Lower Second (2:2) or equivalent. Non-graduates with extensive relevant practical and continuing professional development experience will be considered for entry onto the pathway.
- All applicants must have undertaken a period of three-year post-qualifying consolidation.
- All applicants must be registered with their regulatory body (HCPC, GPhC, NMC).
- You must be currently employed in an appropriate role within the field of advanced practice you wish to study for a period of at least six months prior to commencing the course.
- You must have a designated facilitator and recommendation to undertake the course by your employer.
*Your Clinical Designated Facilitator must have appropriate professional and academic qualifications (for example, doctor or qualified ANP or ACP) and a minimum of one year’s clinical experience commensurate with the context of care delivery.
**If you do not have the appropriate Level 2 English, you must complete this before the start of the course. For further details about which qualifications meet Level 2 requirements check the gov.uk website.
All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules applicable at the start of the course. If you have any questions about these entry requirements, please contact [email protected].
Fees and funding
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship programme costs £12,000. Funding eligibility has changed for Level 7 apprenticeships from 2026. Please speak to [email protected] to explore your options.
Apprenticeships are paid for by your employer. You won’t pay any tuition fees on this course.
Our team of experts is here to help form your organisation’s apprenticeship offering and guide you through the process.
Speak to your employer about this course and how it could be beneficial for your development.
Our expert consultants can meet with you and your employer to make setting up simple and straightforward.
Finding an apprenticeship role
To start an apprenticeship, you need to be in a suitable role and have the support of your employer.