Education institutions need to get our approval before they can deliver programmes for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
This is part of our Education quality assurance (EdQA) process, which we carry out in line with our QA framework. (Fframwaith sicrhau ansawdd). We appoint a quality assurance service provider (QASP) to undertake EdQA processes on our behalf. Our current QASP is the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
A programme cannot run until it successfully passes through our approval process and we’ve confirmed in writing that it has been approved.
You'll find resources and answers to commonly asked queries on this page, which you may find helpful when requesting programme approval.
About our approval process
We base our approval on whether education institutions and their practice learning partners can meet our education and training standards, as well as the relevant programme standards.
We’ll approve a programme if it meets our standards during our four-part ‘gateway process’.
The four ‘gateways’ are:
- Gateway 1 – Part 1: Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education
- Gateway 2 – Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment
- Gateway 3 – Part 3: Programme standards
- Gateway 4 – approval visit
A programme cannot run until it successfully passes through each of these gateways and we've confirmed in writing that it has been approved.
Why we may refuse approval
Education institutions and AEIs seeking approval of institutions, and/or programmes will provide us and our quality assurance service provider with the evidence, information and assistance that we may reasonably need. If an education institution or AEI seeking approval refuses a reasonable request for information, we may refuse approval. Institutions and programmes will need to meet all of our standards for us to grant approval. We’ll assess this at each of the gateways. If our standards are not being met, then we may refuse approval.
Why we may withdraw our approval
Programmes are approved indefinitely. If an AEI or its practice learning partners aren’t meeting (or won’t meet) our standards or requirements, we’ll initially work with the AEI to help them put steps in place to address the concern.
However, if a concern for public protection remains we may withdraw our approval.
Find out more about how we monitor approved programmes for risks.
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Modify an existing education programme
ShowAn 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.
Modify an existing education programme Major modification approval reports -
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Programme endorsement
ShowThere are two types of programme endorsement which an Approved Education Institution (AEI) can propose.
Programme endorsement -
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How we monitor approved education institutions
ShowWe monitor approved education institutions (AEIs) and their practice learning partners to make sure that they continue to meet our standards.
We take a data-driven approach, which means we focus on aspects of education and training differently in the areas where greater risk lies. We have a process for identifying information about risks that we receive and we work closely with other professional and system regulators to identify risks early, rather than waiting for a serious risk or event to occur.
New programme monitoring Annual self-reporting -
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How we deal with concerns
ShowIf we identify that an AEI isn’t meeting our standards, we will work with them to make the necessary improvements, so the standards are met and students receive appropriate education and training.
How we deal with concerns If you have a concern about an education programme
