Royal Navy launches Level 5 healthcare apprenticeship with University of Lancashire

The University of Lancashire is supporting the Royal Navy to train more skilled healthcare professionals within its workforce through its first-ever Level 5 Apprenticeship.

The university will deliver the assistant practitioner degree apprenticeship in partnership with the Royal Navy, supporting up to 80 service members a year to develop the clinical knowledge and practical skills required to achieve a Level 5 Apprenticeship and become qualified Navy Medical Assistants.

On completion, university bosses say learners will achieve a foundation degree (FdSc) Assistant Practitioner (Health), a first for the Royal Navy, aligning the demanding medical assistant role with recognised civilian healthcare qualifications for the first time.

​​​​​​​Royal Navy Commodore Ali Hofman visited the University of Lancashire’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. She said: “Royal Navy Medical Assistants deliver a unique capability to all maritime operating environments. I am delighted that through this partnership we are able to provide a formal transferable qualification. This is a real milestone for the Royal Navy Medical Service.”

The university say the partnership also represents a new opportunity for the University of Lancashire to support those serving in the Armed Forces alongside its other long standing initiatives designed to help former military personnel and their families make a smooth transition to civilian life and access higher education.

Dean of the school of nursing and midwifery at the University of Lancashire Andrew Melling said: “We are incredibly proud to work with the Royal Navy on a programme that supports those who dedicate their careers to serving others.

"Partnerships like this are at the heart of what we do as a university; bringing together education, professional development and purpose to create opportunities that make a real difference.”

The collaboration follows the University’s successful tender submission in July last year to deliver the programme, which was formally approved in December. The first cohort of Royal Navy learners began in January 2026