{"id":3833,"date":"2026-05-18T19:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T19:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stg-carolp-staging.kinsta.cloud\/?p=3833"},"modified":"2026-05-18T19:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T19:40:09","slug":"degree-apprenticeship-open-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findopendays.com\/?p=3833","title":{"rendered":"Degree Apprenticeship Open Days: How They Work and Where to Find Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Degree apprenticeships are one of the fastest-growing routes into higher education in the UK, and they work fundamentally differently from a traditional university application. The open day equivalent \u2014 usually called an employer open day<\/strong> or insight day<\/strong> \u2014 works differently too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re considering a degree apprenticeship alongside or instead of a UCAS application, here’s what to expect, what to ask, and how to find the events that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How a degree apprenticeship is structured<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Quick recap of what you’re actually applying for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Paid employment from day one<\/strong> with a UK employer \u2014 salaries typically \u00a318,000 to \u00a330,000 starting, often higher in finance and tech.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Around 80% of your time working<\/strong>, 20% studying \u2014 usually one day a week at university, or in block release.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A full degree at the end<\/strong> \u2014 the same qualification as a traditional undergraduate, accredited by the partner university.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No tuition fees<\/strong> for you \u2014 the employer and the government cover the cost via the Apprenticeship Levy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Three to six years<\/strong> depending on the level and subject.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    You’re applying to the employer<\/strong>, not the university. The university is fixed once you have the job. So an open day is run by the employer \u2014 at their offices, not on a campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why employer open days are different<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A university open day exists to convince you to apply to that university. An employer open day exists to convince good candidates to apply for a small number of competitive roles, and<\/strong> to filter out candidates who aren’t a fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Practical differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Smaller scale.<\/strong> Major university open days have thousands of attendees. An employer event typically has 20 to 100, sometimes fewer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • More selective.<\/strong> Some employers require pre-registration with eligibility checks (predicted grades, geographic eligibility) before letting you book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • More businesslike.<\/strong> You’re visiting an office or a working site, not a campus. Dress code is usually smart or smart-casual.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Often interview-adjacent.<\/strong> Some events include informal assessments, networking with current apprentices, or even mini-interviews \u2014 usually clearly flagged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Year-round.<\/strong> Unlike UCAS open days clustered in June and July, employer events run throughout the year, often aligned to specific recruitment cycles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      When degree apprenticeship recruitment happens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Most large employers run their degree apprenticeship recruitment in autumn of Year 13<\/strong> \u2014 earlier than UCAS, in many cases. A typical timeline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • September to November (Year 13):<\/strong> Applications open. Most major employers \u2014 the Big Four, finance, engineering firms, tech \u2014 open applications in this window.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • October to January:<\/strong> First round assessments \u2014 online tests, video interviews, situational judgement tests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • November to March:<\/strong> Assessment centres \u2014 typically a full day at the employer’s offices, including group exercises, individual interviews, presentations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • December to April:<\/strong> Offers made.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • September following year:<\/strong> You start.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        This means decisions about degree apprenticeships often need to be made before<\/strong> UCAS offers come in. Many students apply to both routes in parallel \u2014 UCAS as a back-up, apprenticeships as the preferred route \u2014 and then decide based on what they’re offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Types of degree apprenticeship event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        A few different formats you’ll come across:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Employer open days \/ insight days<\/strong>
        The closest equivalent to a university open day. Half-day or full-day events at the employer’s offices. Includes presentations from current apprentices, tours of the workplace, Q&A with HR and line managers, and often an introduction to the university partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Virtual webinars<\/strong>
        Run by most large employers, often monthly during the recruitment cycle. Useful for early research and for understanding the application process. Always recorded \u2014 check the employer’s careers page for the back catalogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Apprenticeship fairs<\/strong>
        Larger events bringing together multiple employers. Often run by careers organisations like Amazing Apprenticeships, UCAS, or specific subject bodies (engineering, accounting, law). Useful for comparing multiple employers in one visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        University partner open days<\/strong>
        Some universities running degree apprenticeship programmes hold their own open events \u2014 to introduce prospective applicants to the academic side. These are useful for understanding the study experience, but you still apply through the employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        School-based insight sessions<\/strong>
        Many employers send representatives into schools and colleges for talks aimed at Year 12 and Year 13. Ask your careers team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What to ask at a degree apprenticeship event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Some questions overlap with university open days; others are specific to the employer route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        About the role<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n