Degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships will require different qualifications depending on the specific apprenticeship and industry you’re interested in. You’ll usually need specific grades at GCSE or A level.

It’s not all about grades; employers are looking for you to show passion for the industry, willingness to learn, and other qualities like communication which mean you’d be a good fit for the company.

Apprentices will complete an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship which is sometimes called an ‘end-point assessment’. It tests your ability to do the job as well as your academic learning. You might also have assignments throughout the course, depending on the industry.

At the end of the apprenticeship, your degree will be awarded by the university you study with and will be equivalent to an undergraduate degree.

Degree apprenticeships build on the existing models of sandwich degrees (spending a year in industry) and work placements (doing industry placements in term time or holidays), but differ in several key ways:

• You are employed throughout and are paid from day one.
• You have the same rights as a normal employee, including paid holiday.
• You are more likely to stay with the company as an employee once you complete the apprenticeship. Around 80% of apprentices stay at the same company they do the programme with.

Willingness to work hard is key because you will be studying and doing a full-time job. You also need to be confident and mature to handle your responsibilities in the workplace. Academically, you can have different types of qualifications, but you need to be bright and able to learn independently.

A degree apprenticeship is academically just as challenging as a traditional degree but has additional pressures of working at the same time. Apprentices need to be as bright as undergraduates, but more disciplined too.

I believe people who have gone through the degree apprenticeship route will exceed graduates because they have deep experience of work context in addition to theoretical knowledge. Young people with high grades should investigate this route.

Start planning early and try to get some work experience in the sector you’re interested in. Go to university open days and talk to the people who are delivering the programmes to find out more.

There is a range of different study options, so think about what would suit your learning style. If it isn’t right for you, traditional degrees are very valuable and give people time to explore different options, while building their confidence and experience.

1. Enthusiasm for the subject. Like any degree, a genuine interest in what you are studying makes it more rewarding, which improves your chances of success.
2. Secondly, we need to establish you have the academic ability to succeed, so we don’t set you up to fail. That involves grades, but we would also test numerical and reasoning skills.
3. Your character is also really important – you need to be mature enough to enter the workplace and dedicated enough to work and study at the same time.

Maturity is very important, so if you feel you have some growing up to do, consider taking some time out of education to build your confidence. Doing paid or voluntary work will help you learn responsibility and interact with people outside of school.

Your employer will provide all the normal HR support, as well as mentoring and line management, and input on career development.

Universities provide support with learning development and all the normal pastoral care, information, and advice that any other student would get. A degree apprentice is also an undergraduate student and has access to all normal support services.