Are you considering apprenticeships? An undergraduate degree is not your only option. Find out all about apprenticeships and whether enrolling in one could be the right choice for you.

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships have continued to evolve in recent years, offering apprentices the chance to work and study at the same time. Apprenticeships pay a full salary while you gain a qualification relevant to the specific industry. You will spend around 30 hours a week at work, learning on the job, and then attend college, university or a training provider to gain your qualification.

Who Are Apprenticeships For?

Apprenticeship opportunities are available to anyone over the age of 16. And it’s not only young people who apply for apprenticeships, they’re open to people of all ages. An apprenticeship may be the right choice for you if:

  • you live in the UK
  • you’re not in full-time education
  • you enjoy both practical and classroom learning
  • you’re ready to dedicate the time and effort necessary to succeed
  • you’re willing to be assessed through assignments like essays, reports, and practical exercises.

Apprenticeship Levels

The qualification you could achieve depends greatly on the level of apprenticeship you take. Each level has its own entry requirements. There are currently 4 different levels of apprenticeships as follows:

Intermediate

Intermediate apprenticeships are known as a Level 2 qualification which is equivalent to GCSEs.

Advanced

Advanced apprenticeships (or a Level 3 qualification) are equivalent to A Levels.

Higher

Higher apprenticeships cover Levels 4 and 5 which are equivalent to a Higher Education Certificate, a Higher National Diploma or a Foundation Degree.

Degree

Degree apprenticeships cover Levels 6 and 7 and are equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree.

Visit our dedicated page on degree Apprenticeships for more information.

Which Level Apprenticeship Would Suit Me?

Assuming you are a student already in some form of higher education, the opportunities that will be most relevant to you are the Higher and Degree apprenticeships. These apprenticeship opportunities can take between 3-6 years to complete, depending on the type of qualification you are looking to gain. Furthermore, you may have decided that university is really not for you and have dropped out or are thinking of dropping out. In this case, doing a degree apprenticeship is a great alternative route to the same level of qualification.

Examples of Level 4 & 5 Higher Apprenticeships

Examples of Level 6 & 7 Degree Apprenticeships

  • Aerospace Software Development Engineer

  • Broadcasting Technology

  • Civil Engineer

  • Financial Services Professional

  • Laboratory Scientist

  • Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer

  • Power Engineer

  • Registered Nurse

  • Solicitor

  • Teacher

Benefits of Starting a Higher or Degree-Level Apprenticeship

Higher and degree-level apprenticeships provide the opportunity to:

  • Gain Higher-Level Skills

    With today’s rapidly-evolving job market, skill gaps are constantly emerging between what employees were taught and the skills that are now required to do their job. The benefit of apprenticeships is that they are tailored to your specific role, achieved by the combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training. At work, you’ll be learning from your employer and your more experienced colleagues. At college, university, or with your training provider, you’ll learn the theoretical knowledge applicable to your job role.

  • Secure a Job After Apprenticeship Completion

    Those who do an apprenticeship are more likely to secure a permanent position after completion. This is reflected in Government figures reporting that 90% of apprentices stayed on in employment, 64% of whom continued with the same employer.

  • Graduate Debt Free

    Unlike university, apprentices don’t have to pay to do an apprenticeship. Your employer and the government will pay any tuition fees for your apprenticeship, including degree apprenticeships. This means that when you graduate from your apprenticeship, you won’t have to pay back any government tuition or maintenance loans.

How Much Do Apprentices Earn?

On top of not paying to do an apprenticeship, you’ll actually receive a salary from your employer. As an apprentice, you must earn at least the apprenticeship national minimum wage which is currently £4.81 per hour. You’ll also get holiday pay. After your first year, you should then receive the national minimum wage for your age group which can be consulted on the gov.uk website.

Keep in mind that this is the minimum you are legally allowed to receive but many employers will offer a higher salary. For full salary information, be sure to check the apprenticeship vacancy post.

Applying for Apprenticeships

The application process for an apprenticeship is similar to that of a normal job. Keep in mind, however, that the deadline involved is that which the employer sets; it isn’t the same as applying to uni. You’ll apply directly to the employer and you can apply for as many apprenticeships as you like.

Finding Apprenticeships

If you would like to find out more about the apprenticeship opportunities available to you, funding options and more, visit our sister website Employing an Apprentice. It’s dedicated to providing all the information and guidance you need on apprenticeships.

finding an apprenticeship can open career opportunities

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