Degree Apprenticeships: Get a Degree Without the Debt

If you want a full university degree but the idea of £50,000+ in student loans makes you wince, a degree apprenticeship could be exactly what you're looking for.

So, what actually is a degree apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship lets you earn a full bachelor's or master's degree while working for an employer. You split your time between university study and on-the-job training, and here's the bit that tends to surprise people: your employer pays your tuition fees, and you earn a salary at the same time. You graduate with a degree, real work experience, and zero tuition debt.

What subjects are available?

The range has grown significantly in recent years. You can now find degree apprenticeships in:

• Engineering and manufacturing

• Digital and IT (including software development and data science)

• Business and management

• Accounting and finance

• Healthcare (including nursing)

• Law

• Architecture

• Police and public services

• Aerospace and defence

  
  

New standards are added regularly, so it's worth checking the government's official apprenticeship finder if you have a specific subject in mind.

What about pay?

You're employed from day one, so you earn a real wage throughout. Salaries vary a lot depending on the employer and sector, but most degree apprentices earn between £15,000 and £25,000 a year while studying. Some large employers, particularly in finance, tech and engineering, pay considerably more. It's not a graduate salary, but it's far better than a student overdraft.

Which universities offer them?

Degree apprenticeships are delivered in partnership between employers and universities, so availability depends on both sides signing up. Universities actively involved include Aston, Coventry, Manchester Metropolitan, Nottingham Trent, Sheffield Hallam, and University of the Arts London, among many others. Russell Group universities are less common but do appear in some programmes, particularly in engineering and healthcare.

What are the entry requirements?

Typical offers mirror standard university entry: A-levels or a BTEC at level 3, usually around BBC to AAB depending on the programme and employer. Some apprenticeships are more competitive than the degree itself because you're applying for a job at the same time.

Is it right for you?

Degree apprenticeships suit people who learn well in practical environments and want to build professional networks from the start of their career. The trade-off is less freedom than traditional university life, you're an employee, not just a student. But for many people, that structure is actually a strength, not a limitation.