SPILLING THE BEANS ON DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

Let’s be upfront— securing a degree apprenticeship can be competitive. However, it’s a route worth considering if you leave school with good A-levels and want to start working sooner rather than later.

Degree apprenticeships focus on developing higher-level skills in practical fields such as engineering and nursing or office-based roles such as marketing, finance and law. You can even train to be a teacher through a degree apprenticeship. 

Many employers still seek candidates with typical undergraduate degrees when recruiting for higher-level roles. However, many companies are now opting for degree apprenticeship candidates when recruiting. They prefer to hire someone who can work in the organisation and learn on-the-job skills while studying for a degree. 

If you want to explore this combination of work and study, here are some facts about degree apprenticeships that might help you decide.

Money talks

A significant benefit to doing a degree apprenticeship over a traditional undergraduate degree is that as a degree apprentice, you typically earn a salary upwards of £20,000 whilst studying. And, of course, you won’t be accumulating any student debt. 

The nitty gritty

What exactly is a degree apprenticeship? It’s a job and a university course. You’ll be employed with all the usual benefits: a salary, a pension, and holiday entitlement. You are also enrolled in a degree-level programme with a university or other higher education institute but with no student fees to pay. Your employer finances these through government funding. Beyond avoiding student debt, degree apprenticeships offer you valuable real-world experience in a role with actual responsibility. 

You’ll develop workplace skills and learn on the job, and as with lower-level apprenticeships, you’ll complete a minimum of 20% of your working hours undertaking off-the-job training. In the case of a degree apprenticeship, your off-the-job hours will be spent studying in person or virtually with a university or other higher education institution.

Your education may involve block-release sessions for a few weeks at a time or perhaps one or two days of classes each week. Universities structure their programmes differently, so ensure you understand what you’re committing to.

Who are degree apprenticeships right for?

If you want to live in halls and experience a pure student life, a degree apprenticeship probably isn’t for you! On the other hand, if you are ambitious and independent, a degree apprenticeship after your A-Levels could be right up your street. 

You need to meet the same entry criteria as if enrolling on a standard university course so consider this when applying for a job with a degree apprenticeship. 

You must be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit. If you have prior work experience, the employer could consider this, but remember that the university you will be studying with could have the final say. This will be the same if you are already employed.

Getting hired

Employers advertise degree apprenticeship positions on Find an Apprenticeship [https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship], directly on their own websites, job sites, LinkedIn, or through universities. 

Amazing Apprenticeships publishes degree apprenticeship listings twice a year. In October 2024, more than 2,000 jobs were available, with an update set for January 2025. Employers include Amazon, AstraZeneca, Barclays Bank, Tui Holidays, the armed forces, and the police.

Securing a degree apprenticeship requires going through a recruitment process similar to that of a regular job. The employer sets the procedure. Preparing thoroughly is crucial, so ensure you have a polished CV and well-honed interview skills.

Some employers follow the academic timetable with a group of degree apprentices starting in September. Many other degree apprenticeship jobs are advertised and can be applied for throughout the year.

Local universities offering degree apprenticeships

Apart from applying directly to employer-advertised degree apprenticeship vacancies, you can enquire for more information directly from universities. Four universities in the Liverpool City Region offer degree apprenticeship programmes:

• Edge Hill University offers four routes[https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/departments/support/registry/apprenticeships/], all in medical fields.
• The University of Liverpool currently offers the Level 7 Advanced Clinical Practitioner[https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/aqsd/degree-apprenticeships/] (integrated degree) Apprenticeship.
• Liverpool John Moores University lists more than 20 courses [https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/degree-apprenticeships/courses], spanning the building industry, leadership, nursing, digital, and crime investigation.
• Hope University is launching degree apprenticeships in 2025[https://www.hope.ac.uk/news/allnews/liverpool-hope-university-receives-635k-to-fund-degree-apprenticeships-in-the-region.html], covering teaching, physiotherapy, youth work, and social work.

Degree Apprenticeships are Level 6 or Level 7 qualifications; when you successfully complete the apprenticeship, you’ll be awarded a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.

Some cons

Apart from missing out on student life, the other downsides to pursuing a degree apprenticeship rather than a full-time university degree are that you’ll have to be very well organised to manage the demands of work and study, and you won’t have access to student loans. But of course, you will be getting a salary so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue!

The last word

Remember that, just like university, you can pursue a degree apprenticeship anywhere in the country. Your employer might even be in a different city from the university you’re enrolled with. Don’t miss the Amazing Apprenticeships degree listings [https://amazingapprenticeships.com/resource/higher-and-degree-listing/] in January 2025 for updated opportunities.