Modify an existing education programme

An approved education institution (AEI) might need to request a programme modification for things like the introduction of flexible routes including nursing degree apprenticeships in England.

How we manage these depends on the extent of the changes.

Under the new quality assurance (QA) framework, you don't have to submit information to us on minor modifications, however you need to have robust governance processes in place to internally monitor and record these changes.

Adding an apprenticeship route to an existing programme

If you're currently approved to deliver an NMC approved programme and want to add an apprenticeship route, you'll need to submit a modification request to our quality assurance service provider, which is done through the QA Link. You'll need to submit a request to deliver your approved programme via a degree apprenticeship route.

In your modification request you'll need to tell us the:

• current routes in approval (for example work-based, distance learning, full time, part-time)
• practice learning partners and which of those partners will be employers of apprentices (these will be added at Gateway 3)
• student numbers and cohorts
• fields of nursing practice, if applicable

The submission of a modification request is set out in our How to submit a request guide.

Our quality assurance service provider will then guide you through the next stages.

The nature of the modification will be subject to a risk assessment that will consider:

• first pre-registration nursing programme in approval/first cohort not yet completed
• current routes in approval (for example work-based, full time, part time)
• annual self-assessment reports
• any open action plans as a result of our monitoring activity
• external system regulator or other reports.

Adding a new employer partner to an apprenticeship route

If you're already approved to deliver an apprenticeship route and want to work with a new employer partner (EP), you no longer need to submit an Apprenticeship Modification Form.

Following a review of the process, the QA Board has agreed that AEIs no longer need to request formal approval from the Education QA Team to add new employer partners (EPs)

We expect AEIs to have robust employer onboarding processes in place to ensure that all placement locations offer safe and supportive learning environments.

From now on, you only need to update your Practice Learning Partner (PLP) master list via your account on the QA Link:

1. Go to your Profile page
2. Scroll to the Practice Learning Partners section
3. Click Add PLP to search for and add your new employer partner(s) to your master list

Once added, your new employer partner(s) will be available to select during your next approval, endorsement, or modification request via the QA Link (during Gateway 3 evidence upload). 

We’re currently updating the QA Link to include missing practice learning locations. If you can’t find a location in the search function:

• Please keep a separate record for now
• You’ll be able to add it once the missing locations have been uploaded
• We'll let you know when the practice learning list is updated in the QA Link.
• Ensure you let QAA know if you have an open Request which is missing an EP or PLP.

As part of our routine monitoring, we will ask AEIs to provide a full list of their PLPs and employer partners, so please ensure your QA Link records are accurate and up to date.

Next Major modification approval reports