What Is a Degree Apprenticeship and How Is It Different From a Degree?

A degree apprenticeship is a way of getting a degree-level qualification while studying on the job and gaining valuable experience to help you move into a profession. Apprenticeships are vocational and prepare candidates for specific roles in industry rather than a more general subject area which is usually the case with undergraduate degrees. 

Degree apprenticeships are common in design, craft, and technology, where on-the-job practical skills are incredibly valuable to the learning process. 

How does a degree apprenticeship work?

A degree apprenticeship is a combination of academic study and on-the-job training. As an apprentice, you are an employee at the workplace and consequently earn a salary and are entitled to benefits such as holiday pay. 

A degree apprenticeship is structured to include time on the job and in the classroom. This will vary from course to course, but an apprentice will spend at least 20 percent of their time learning off the job, and the rest will be studying [1].  

Who can study on a degree apprenticeship?

To study a degree apprenticeship, you must have reached a certain level of education, much like with a bachelor's degree. Entry requirements vary depending on the course, but programmes typically ask for three A Levels or equivalents. You are also expected to have achieved 5 GCSEs, including maths and English. 

Degree apprenticeships are typically pursued as an alternative to doing a bachelor's degree and are often completed by students aged 18 to 19 who have just left college or sixth form. Apprenticeships have no age restrictions, so you can complete a degree apprenticeship if you are changing careers, upskilling as a mature student, and even if you already have a degree.

How long does it take to study for an apprenticeship degree?

A degree apprenticeship takes anywhere from three to six years to complete. The qualification involves working and classroom learning, so it takes longer than a standard bachelor's degree.

Cost of a degree apprenticeship

There is no cost to study for an apprenticeship degree. Your employer covers the cost of the programme and you receive a wage while working, which will vary according to each employer. If you choose to or need to live away from home while studying for a degree apprenticeship, you will need to cover these costs yourself. 

Industries that use degree apprenticeships

Many industries can be entered through a degree apprenticeship. Typically, they are vocational fields that still require learning at an academic level. Examples include:

• Engineering (including aerospace engineering, power engineering, automotive engineering, and electronic systems engineering)

• Construction and surveying

• Finance

• Nuclear

• Social work

• Life and industrial sciences

• Defence

• Teaching

• Law

• Digital and technology

• Nursing 

• Public relations  

Examples of degree apprenticeships

With so many degree apprenticeships, narrowing down what you want to do before beginning your search is helpful. Once you know your field of interest, you can search for different employers and browse their programs. You can find some examples below.

• Royal Air Force: The RAF offers several apprenticeships at all levels, including degree apprenticeships. It is known for its excellent benefits and teaching and has been recognised as a top apprenticeship employer. 

• BT: British Telecom offers apprenticeships up to degree level and has been recognised as offering the UK's top private sector apprenticeship programme. 

• HSBC: HSBC offers a range of apprenticeships, including the excellent Commercial Banking Degree Apprenticeship. This four-year programme offers rotation to cover a variety of services and business aspects. 

• EDF: EDF Energy is a great company to consider if you champion environmental concerns. Degree apprenticeships are available in cyber security, chemistry, and nuclear engineering.

How does a degree apprenticeship differ from a degree?

A degree apprenticeship is different from a traditional degree in several ways. Firstly, it is a vocational course combining both work and study. A traditional degree is largely academic study. It may have practical and include placements, but it is an academic study. This means that some courses are more suited to a classic degree, and some more vocational subjects work best as a degree apprenticeship, and each course is assessed differently. Exams and coursework assess a degree, whereas an apprenticeship uses practicals, observations, and projects. 

Another difference is that a traditional degree takes three to four years, whereas a degree apprenticeship can take three to six. Lastly, while you have to pay for a degree, you are employed and paid to do a degree apprenticeship. It’s up to you to decide which option is best for you and your career journey.   

Benefits of studying for a degree apprenticeship

You’ll discover many benefits to studying for a degree apprenticeship, from financial implications to job prospects. Depending on what you want to do for a career, you’ll need to consider various benefits and factors to determine whether this is a good option.

On-the-job training

Work experience is very valuable and not always easy to get, especially at a high level, until you have qualifications. Being trained on the job allows you to gain work experience that might be difficult to get while also earning an academic qualification. It demonstrates your ability to study at a degree level and have practical workplace skills employers can utilise.  

Salary

Unlike degree programmes, which typically cost money, a degree apprenticeship allows you to be paid while you learn. Because you are a student employee, your salary will be lower than someone qualified in the field. The minimum pay rate is £6.40 per hour, but many employers pay higher rates [2, 3]. 

Industry connections

Being placed in an industry allows you to make industry connections, which might be valuable when looking for future jobs and opportunities. Colleagues can be very valuable in the learning process and may even provide mentoring or coaching you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Job prospects 

Many apprentices stay in their roles or at the companies that gave them their apprenticeship. Companies in certain industries value degree apprenticeships higher than a degree, and they can be used to progress through a company. As an example, 30 percent of managers at Rolls Royce started out as apprentices [4]. 

Factors to consider

Taking a degree apprenticeship comes with plenty of benefits; however, it is not right for everyone, so you must consider all of your options and weigh them up carefully. In addition to the benefits, you might consider the following: 

• Highly specific qualification: While a vocational qualification can give you the edge, it can also be limiting if you decide to move on to a different role or field. A traditional bachelor's degree offers more flexibility.

• Student experience: As a degree apprenticeship is vocational, apprentices don’t get the same student experience as those studying full-time at university and living on campus or in university residences. 

• Financial support: Unlike traditional degree routes, those studying for a degree apprenticeship don’t qualify for student loans and must personally cover any living expenses and associated costs.

Next steps

If you’re considering applying for a degree apprenticeship, ensure you are certain about the field you wish to enter. You might start by completing a Guided Project such as Predictive Analytics for Business with H2O in R or Build a Social Media Presence for Your Business Using Canva, two of many options on Coursera. Completing projects can help you build skills, explore options, enhance your CV, and provide more details to include in your statement.