A degree apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain a paid-for degree while getting industry experience and earning a salary.
What are degree apprenticeships?
A degree apprenticeship enables you to gain a full undergraduate or master’s degree while you work. Degree apprenticeships take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level.
You’ll spend most of your time working and you’ll also study part-time at university. For example, you might go to university one or two days per week, or in short blocks, such as a week at a time. Overall, you spend about 20% of your time studying vs. 80% of your time working.
Degree apprenticeships work differently across the UK:
- England and Wales both offer degree apprenticeships, with the most options currently available in England.
- In Scotland, degree apprenticeships are known as Graduate Apprenticeships.
- Northern Ireland doesn’t currently offer degree apprenticeships, but they do offer different levels of apprenticeships.
Wondering what a degree apprenticeship is really like?
Hear from Nicholas about what his day-to-day life is like as a business management degree apprentice at PwC.
What degree apprenticeships are available?
Degree apprenticeships are available in lots of industries, from hands-on fields like nursing, engineering and teaching, to more office-based roles like business administration, finance, and law.
Explore industries
Pros of a degree apprenticeship
- You’ll get real-life experience working alongside your degree.
- Your degree is fully paid for, so there’s no cost to you.
- You’ll get paid a salary just like a normal employee.
Cons of a degree apprenticeship
- You’ll need to balance working and studying at the same time.
- You won’t qualify for any student loans.
- Apprentices don’t always get the traditional ‘university experience’.
Pros and cons of a degree apprenticeship
Hear from real-life apprentices about what their favourite and least favourite parts of their degree apprenticeships are.
FAQs about degree apprenticeships
-
What are the entry requirements for a degree apprenticeship?
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.
-
How are you assessed during a degree apprenticeship?
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.
-
How do they differ from sandwich degrees and work placements?
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.
Applying for a degree apprenticeship
You apply for a degree apprenticeship in the same way you apply for a normal job. You’ll need to submit an application, which usually includes a CV and cover letter. If you’re also applying for university, you could use your personal statement as a starting point for your application.
Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year and there is no application cycle like there is with university. The vacancy will state when the application deadline is, and when the apprenticeship is due to start.
You can use our Career Finder to keep up-to-date with the latest vacancies and favourite opportunities.
Find apprenticeships
Top tips for degree apprentices from unis and colleges
-
What are the key features of successful apprenticeship applicants?
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.
-
Apprenticeships are still seen by some people as ‘second best’ to full-time higher education. What’s your view of apprenticeships as an option?
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.
-
What advice would you give to students who want to do a degree apprenticeship, but aren’t sure if it’s for them?
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.
-
What are the top three things you look for in an application?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
-
What are the most common weaknesses in applications?
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.
-
Where can students get support when they are doing an apprenticeship?
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.
Check out the latest apprenticeships
Sign up to Career Finder
Search and apply for apprenticeships, jobs and internships, get job alerts, and keep tabs on your applications.