All About Degree Apprenticeships

What is a degree apprenticeship and how does it work?

Degree apprenticeships are a relatively new development in the UK, starting only in 2015, with the number of people enrolling in such courses growing year on year. This is the vocational route to take if you wish to learn a high-level profession in the trade industry. It is much more flexible than a traditional degree, and you will get hands-on experience working in your desired vocation.

Overall, a degree apprenticeship consists of 20% study and 80% work in your chosen field. It combines a small amount of study in a university or specialist college with actual full-time paid work.

They are normally available in fields including nursing, aerospace engineering, nuclear power, construction and even business management. This type of degree gives students aged 16-19 the diversity and breadth of study they need to follow their chosen career path in a professional, officially recognised way whilst being able to join the workforce and gain practical, on-the-job experience.

How long does it take to complete a degree apprenticeship?

Degree apprenticeships are highly flexible; you can study for 1 to 6 years in your chosen vocation and leave fully qualified in your sector. They are available at the Undergraduate and Masters level, and Each degree apprenticeship varies greatly with study time worked around both your employer’s needs and those of the facility where you will study. Much of the academic work can take place via distance learning (either online or offline), by attending university or college for one or two days a week, or your particular course might involve block learning where you spend a week at a time in the classroom.

How do I know if a degree apprenticeship is for me?

What’s great about degree apprenticeships is that in addition to most of the funding being covered by the education facility and your employer, you will be paid for the work you do while you learn on the job. Of course, the pay can be low to start, but it will rise as you gain more relevant experience and skills and become an asset to your employer’s business.

It is the ideal solution for students who have already completed work experience and junior apprenticeships through their college or secondary school because it enables them to gain a deeper knowledge about their trade in a way that is neatly laid out across the division of work and study.

It is the middle ground between entering full-time employment straight out of school, and spending up to four years studying full-time at university where it can be difficult to balance work without putting a strain on full-time studies.

It is also worth remembering that degree apprenticeships do not follow the usual university application cycle and are therefore they are available to apply for throughout the year. You will apply for this degree in the same way as you would a regular job, you fill in an application form, provide a CV and a cover letter.

What fields can I study in?

There are currently over 1,000-degree apprenticeships available right across the UK which give students the opportunity to work with big names in their respective chosen industries. For example, Toyota and Vauxhall offer automotive courses, Barclays and Santander have courses in finance, and Raytheon and Serco provide students with the training to become part of the UK’s defence industry.

Degree apprenticeships are best known for giving a good level of practical training combined with the academic knowledge needed to progress up the career ladder. You can start from the bottom and gradually build your skills inside a multi-national organisation, all whilst receiving an award-winning education from one of the UK’s internationally recognised academic institutions.

Whichever sector you plan on joining, attending open days for degree apprenticeships is one of the best ways to know if you’re passionate enough to call this profession your own for many years to come.

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