Apprenticeships
What are the benefits
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You earn while you learn — the minimum wage for apprentices is lower than the standard minimum wage, but many employers pay more
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No tuition fees — your training costs are covered by your employer and the government
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You gain real work experience from day one
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You come out with a qualification and a CV that stands out
Is an apprenticeship right for you?
Apprenticeships suit people who learn better by doing rather than sitting in a classroom. They're a strong option if you already have a clear idea of the industry you want to work in, or if you'd prefer to avoid student debt. That said, they can be competitive, especially degree apprenticeships at big employers, so it's worth having realistic expectations about the application process.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that includes structured training and study. You work for an employer, earn a wage, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification, all at the same time. Most of your time is spent working, with roughly 20% dedicated to off-the-job training (this could be at a college, training provider, or with your employer).
Apprenticeships are available at different levels, from school leaver entry points right through to degree-level study.
Apprenticeship levels
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Intermediate (Level 2) — equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4
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Advanced (Level 3) — equivalent to 2 A Levels
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Higher (Levels 4 and 5) — equivalent to the first stages of a degree
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Degree (Levels 6 and 7) — equivalent to a full bachelor's or master's degree
Where to find Apprenticeships
The best place to start is the GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship service (gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship), which lists live vacancies across England. It's free, searchable by location, sector, and level, and links directly to employer application pages.
If you're in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, each nation has its own dedicated service:
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My World of Work (Scotland)
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Apprenticeships.gov.wales (Wales)
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nidirect.gov.uk (Northern Ireland).
Degree Apprenticeships
What can you study?
Degree apprenticeships are available in a growing number of fields, including:
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Engineering and manufacturing
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Technology and digital
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Finance and accounting
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Law
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Nursing and healthcare
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Business and management
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Architecture
The range is expanding every year as more employers and universities partner up, so it's worth checking current listings even if your subject isn't on this list yet.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements are broadly similar to going to university the traditional way, most programmes ask for A Levels (or equivalent, such as BTECs or T Levels) and some will specify particular subjects. Competition can be fierce at well-known employers, and the application process often includes online tests, interviews, and assessment centres, not just a personal statement.
What is a degree apprenticeship?
A degree apprenticeship is a full bachelor's (or sometimes master's) degree that you complete while working for an employer.
You split your time between the workplace and university study and unlike a standard university route, you pay no tuition fees and earn a salary throughout.
At the end, you graduate with a full degree and significant work experience on your CV.
How do they work?
You're employed from day one, usually working four days a week with one day dedicated to university study, though this varies by programme.
Some run on a block release model, where you attend university for concentrated periods rather than weekly.
Your degree is delivered in partnership between your employer and a university, and typically takes three to six years to complete depending on the subject.
Where to find Degree Apprenticeships
Start with the GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship service and filter by level 6 or 7. Many programmes are also listed directly on university websites and employer careers pages, firms like Deloitte, IBM, Penguin Random House, the BBC, and the NHS all offer degree apprenticeships.