Degree apprenticeships

If you'd like to pursue degree-level study while gaining a head-start in your chosen career, then a degree apprenticeship could be for you

Who are degree apprenticeships aimed at?

They are primarily targeted at 18 to 19-year-old school or college leavers with A-levels who want to get into work yet hope to follow a structured path towards a recognised qualification. They may also be unsure about going to university due to the high tuition fees and student debt.

Is there an age limit for degree apprenticeships?

No. As there is no upper age limit, degree apprenticeships are also suitable for mature students and career changers.

What if I've already completed a lower-level apprenticeship?

Many degree apprenticeships are designed to support progression from craft and technical roles into management. This means that programmes are suitable for those who've completed lower-level apprenticeships but wish to advance their career through further study.

For instance, if you're hoping to become a software engineer, business analyst or IT consultant and hope to gain the necessary professional qualifications while continuing to work in the field, a degree apprenticeship can offer what you need.

By studying a course such as the three-and-a-half year BSc Data Analytics and Digital Solutions for Business at the University of Sussex through your employer, you'll find that the programme is designed according to the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals (DTSPs) Degree Apprenticeship standard.

The professional degree course is also recognised by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and meets its Registered IT Technician (RITTech) benchmark.

Can you do an apprenticeship if you have a degree?

Yes, you can enrol on a degree apprenticeship programme even if you've already got a degree - but it must be in an unrelated subject.

What about a Masters apprenticeship?

In addition to degree apprenticeships set at Bachelors level, for professions that typically require additional qualifications - such as accounting or engineering - you may wish to pursue a postgraduate apprenticeship and study a Masters degree.

Masters apprenticeships typically require a longer period of study, as you'll likely be starting the programme after your A-levels. These Level 7 apprenticeships often provide opportunities to gain accreditation from a professional body.

For instance, the Level 7 Architect Degree Apprenticeship at Nottingham Trent University, which involves four years of part-time study, is accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Read more about becoming an architect.

What if I'm not eligible to do a degree apprenticeship?

If your academic history means you're not eligible for a degree apprenticeship, find out more about other apprenticeship levels:

• intermediate
• advanced
• higher.

You can also get general apprenticeship information at what is an apprenticeship?

Are apprenticeships available outside of England?

For those planning on doing a degree apprenticeship in one of the other home nations, read about apprenticeships in:

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales.

What are the pros and cons of doing a degree apprenticeship?

Pros

• Cost - instead of being burdened by student loans and other university debt, you'll get to earn a wage straight away.
• Work experience - while your fellow university students will likely need to organise their own placements and internships to get a taste of the world of work, you'll get to learn on the job and be given responsibility from the outset.
• Networking opportunities - for the duration of the apprenticeship you'll get to work with industry experts and pick up valuable contacts that should prove useful throughout your career.

Cons

• Work/life balance - as you'll be working at least 30 hours per week, you may need to study in the evenings and at weekends, which may affect your social life.
• University experience - you won't be as immersed in university life as a part-time student so your ability to make friends and join societies would be impacted.
• Commitment - with a degree apprenticeship you could be tied to the company for at least three or four years, so it's important to be sure this is what you want to do.

If you're still unsure which route to take, consider should I do a degree or an apprenticeship?

What can I study?

As degree apprenticeships are only available in vocational subjects that require a high level of academia, the range of subjects on offer is narrower than with traditional apprenticeships.

Opportunities are currently available in the following areas:

• aerospace engineering
• aerospace software development
• automotive engineering
• business management
• construction
• defence
• digital industries
• electronic systems engineering
• financial services
• human resources
• investment and commercial banking
• life and industrial sciences
• logistics and supply chain management
• marketing
• nuclear
• nursing
• public relations
• social care
• surveying
• sustainability.

Get the lowdown on all engineering apprenticeships.

Where can I study?

As the scope for degree apprenticeships expands, so does the range of provider universities and employers. These currently include:

• Aerospace engineering and Aerospace software development - University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and University of the West of England Bristol (UWE Bristol).
• Architect - De Montfort University, Northumbria University, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and University of Portsmouth.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) data specialist - University of Sussex and Teesside University.
• Chartered manager - Aston University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), The Open University, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford and Teesside University.
• Civil engineering - University of Brighton, Leeds Beckett University, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), NTU, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford and Teesside University.
• Construction - Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Birmingham City University, University of Brighton, LJMU, London South Bank University (LSBU) and Sheffield Hallam University.
• Embedded electrical systems design and development - Aston University, De Montfort University, University of Greenwich, University of Hertfordshire and Sheffield Hallam University.
• Digital and technology solutions - Aston University, University of Brighton, University of Exeter, University of Greenwich, MMU, The Open University, Sheffield Hallam University, Solent University Southampton, University of Sussex and Teesside University.
• Healthcare science practitioner - Aston University (Audiology), University of Hertfordshire, LJMU, MMU, NTU, University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University and Staffordshire University.
• Life and industrial sciences - University of Greenwich and MMU.
• Logistics and supply chain management - Aston University, Cranfield School of Management and Sheffield Hallam University.
• Management - Cranfield School of Management, MMU, The Open University, University of Portsmouth, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Salford and UCLan.
• Marketing - Cranfield School of Management.
• Nuclear - UWE Bristol and National College for Nuclear.
• Nursing - University of Brighton, University of Hertfordshire, University of Huddersfield, The Open University, Teesside University, UCLan and University of West London (UWL).
• Postgraduate engineer - De Montfort University, University of Plymouth, University of Portsmouth and University of Sussex.
• Professional engineering - Aston University.
• Project management - Aston University, University of Cumbria, University of Portsmouth and Teesside University.
• Risk management - Middlesex University and University of Portsmouth.
• Senior leadership - University of Brighton, Cranfield School of Management, De Montfort University, University of Hertfordshire, The Open University, University of Portsmouth and Teesside University.
• Social work - University of Brighton, MMU, The Open University, Oxford Brookes University, University of Salford and UCLan.
• Surveying - Birmingham City University, University of Brighton, University College of Estate Management (UCEM), LSBU, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford and UCLan.
• Sustainability - Cranfield School of Management, University of East London (UEL) and MMU.

What are the latest trends and statistics for degree apprenticeships?

According to GOV.UK apprenticeship figures (November 2024), there were 50,110 Level 6 (Bachelors) and 7 (Masters) degree apprenticeship starts in 2023/24 - a 7% increase on the previous year, accounting for a seventh (13.9%) of all apprenticeship starts.

Degree apprenticeships are available to organisations of all sizes, but they are especially common among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Universities UK has revealed that around 100 universities now offer degree apprenticeships.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has published The Complete Guide to Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, a collaboration between the National Apprenticeship Service and Which? University.

Some of the most high-profile employers involved in the scheme include:

• Aerospace engineering and Aerospace software development - Airbus and BAE Systems.
• Automotive - BMW Group UK, Rolls-Royce, Toyota Manufacturing UK and Vauxhall Motors.
• Construction - BAM Construct UK Ltd, Laing O'Rourke and Willmott Dixon Holdings Ltd.
• Defence - General Dynamics, Raytheon and Serco.
• Digital and technology solutions - BT, Fujitsu and Network Rail.
• Financial services - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and Santander.
• Life and industrial sciences - Astra Zeneca, GSK and Pfizer Inc.
• Nuclear - EDF Energy and Sellafield.
• Power engineering - Amey, Siemens and SSE.
• Surveying - AECOM, Axis and Faithorn Farrell Timms.

The course structure will vary across universities and employers, as each programme is tailored to suit individual employer needs and delivered in the style of the university's teaching model.

Do you get paid on a degree apprenticeship?

As with other apprenticeships, you won't pay for your training or tuition - your employer will cover the costs. You'll receive at least the apprentice National Minimum Wage (NMW) - see GOV.UK - Become an apprentice for full details of pay and conditions.

However, you'll have to plan ahead to cover your living costs, as degree apprentices aren't eligible for student loans.

According to independent employment researchers Incomes Data Research (IDR), the average starting salary for a degree apprenticeship is about £21,000 (April 2024), an increase of 5% compared to 2023.

However, this will depend on the employer, with degree apprentices expected to earn from £20,000 to as high as £35,000.

Read about the best paying apprenticeship sectors in 2025.

Will I be guaranteed a job?

No, but even if you aren't offered a permanent role, you'll be an employable graduate. You'll have benefited from studying a course designed to meet industry needs, plus you'll also have amassed several years of highly relevant work experience. This means you'll have gained critical skills employers value in your chosen career.

How do I apply?

You can search and apply for degree apprenticeships at GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship.

You'll be redirected to wherever your chosen course accepts applications, as some are sorted by employers or universities directly.

If you're looking for opportunities in the digital and technology solutions sector, visit TechSkills.

Unlike traditional degrees, there's no fixed cycle for degree apprenticeship applications.

Most organisations will begin their recruitment processes in January or February for an August or September start date. Larger organisations tend to start advertising their positions from the previous autumn onwards, and smaller enterprises may wait until spring.

Get more advice on applying for an apprenticeship.

Find out more

• Search degree apprenticeship opportunities.
• Read about university life and working while studying.
• Explore further education.