Would your students prefer a degree that combines study and paid work experience? If so a sponsored degree may appeal to them. Our guide explains all...

What's a sponsored degree?

Employers have various titles for sponsored degree schemes, including school leaver programmes, sponsored degrees, and scholarship schemes.

Sponsored degrees combine full-time study, paid work experience and reduced tuition fees for students.

They can be a great option for those who want to balance full-time study (covered by an employer) with real-world work experience plus a salary.  

What subjects can you study as part of a sponsored degree?

  • Accounting and finance
  • Business
  • Chemical engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil engineering
  • Computer science and software engineering
  • Construction, economics
  • Electronic, electrical and systems engineering
  • Maths
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Medicine (Armed Forces only)
  • Manufacturing and production engineering
  • Materials engineering
  • Natural sciences
  • Physics
  • River and coastal engineering
  • Technology
  • Television production and broadcast journalism

How to use this guide in school

Teachers and career advisers can share our downloadable guide with Year 12 and Year 13 students as well as parents.

You can introduce the guide to students in tutor time, designated PSHE group sessions, or to individuals who may be interested in learning more about sponsored degrees.

Get the lowdown on sponsored degrees, including what kinds of courses are available and which universities and employers offer them, with our free guide, below:

Complete guide to sponsored degrees (3.8 MB).