Degree Apprenticeships Deep Dive

What exactly is a degree apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship is a job. You are employed from day one, with a contract, a salary, and all the legal protections of any other worker. Alongside that job, you study towards a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a university. Your employer pays the tuition fees. You do not take out a student loan for the degree.

The degree is real. It is the same qualification awarded to full-time university students, from the same institution. You graduate with a BSc, BA, BEng, MSc, or MA, depending on the standard and the level. A few Level 7 routes, such as the solicitor apprenticeship, lead to a professional qualification instead of a master's.

The difference from a traditional degree is the structure. You study part-time while working full-time. The content is directly tied to your job role. If you are a degree apprentice in software engineering, your university modules cover software engineering. If you are in nursing, your modules cover clinical practice. There is no gap between what you learn and what you do at work.

Degree apprenticeships sit at Level 6 (bachelor's equivalent) and Level 7 (master's equivalent) on the apprenticeship framework. They are approved by Skills England and follow specific apprenticeship standards, just like every other level.

For a shorter overview of how degree apprenticeships fit into the wider apprenticeship system, see our article on what is a degree apprenticeship.

Level 6 vs Level 7

Level 6 (Bachelor's degree equivalent)

This is the undergraduate route. You study for three to six years, depending on the employer and the university. You graduate with a full bachelor's degree. Common standards at this level include:

• Registered nurse
• Chartered manager
• Civil engineer
• Digital and technology solutions professional
• Construction site manager
• Police constable

You typically need A-levels, a Level 4 or 5 apprenticeship, or equivalent qualifications to start. Some employers also accept relevant work experience in place of formal qualifications.

Level 7 (Master's degree equivalent)

This is the postgraduate route. You study for two to four years alongside your job. Most Level 7 standards lead to a master's degree, though some lead to a professional qualification instead. Common standards at this level include:

• Senior leader
• Solicitor
• Accountancy or taxation professional
• AI data specialist
• Architect
• Digital and technology solutions specialist

You need a bachelor's degree or significant relevant experience to start, unless the route is designed for school leavers (the solicitor apprenticeship, for example, can be started at 18). Some Level 7 apprenticeships are designed for people who have been working for several years and want to formalise their expertise with a postgraduate qualification.

You can find the full list of approved standards on Skills England's apprenticeship standards search. Each standard specifies the level, the typical duration, the qualification awarded, and the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will be assessed on.

How the work-study split works

This is the question most people ask first: how do you hold down a full-time job and study a degree at the same time?

The answer is that the degree is built around the job, not the other way round. Your working week includes protected study time. By law, each apprenticeship standard sets a minimum number of paid "off-the-job" training hours that your employer must give you. For a degree apprentice, that off-the-job training is your university study.

The exact split depends on the employer and the university. Here are the most common patterns.

Day release

You work four days a week and attend university one day a week during term time. This is the most common model for Level 6 apprenticeships. You follow the same academic calendar as full-time students, attending lectures and seminars on your designated day.

Block release

You alternate between blocks of time at work and blocks at university. For example, you might spend three weeks at your employer, then one week at university, repeating that cycle. This model is common in engineering and construction, where employers need you on site for extended periods.

Blended or hybrid

Some programmes combine in-person university days with online learning. You might attend campus one day a fortnight and complete the rest of your study remotely. This is increasingly common since 2020 and suits employers spread across multiple locations.

Evening and weekend study

A smaller number of programmes deliver the academic content in the evenings or on Saturdays. This is less common for degree apprenticeships but exists in some sectors.

The university timetable is coordinated with your employer. You do not have to negotiate time off for lectures. It is written into your contract and your training plan. Your employer cannot cancel your study days to cover a busy period. If they do, your training provider has a duty to intervene.

Who pays and what you earn

Your employer pays the tuition fees

This is the defining feature of a degree apprenticeship. The fees are funded through the apprenticeship levy, now called the Growth and Skills Levy (paid by large employers), or through government co-investment (for smaller employers). You do not pay anything towards your degree. You do not take out a student loan. You do not accumulate tuition debt.

You earn a salary from day one

You are paid for your full working week, including your study time. Salaries vary by employer and sector.

Here is a rough guide to what degree apprentices at large employers earn in their first year. Pay changes every year, so always check the salary on the vacancy listing.

These figures are starting salaries. Most employers increase pay each year of the apprenticeship. By the time you graduate, you may have had three or four pay rises.

What you do not pay for

Tuition. Assessment. End-point assessment. Any qualification fees. Books and course materials are usually covered by the employer or the university. If an employer asks you to contribute to any of these costs, that is a red flag. Report it to Skills England.

What you do pay for

Living costs. Rent, food, transport. You are responsible for these, just like any other employee. The advantage is that you are earning a salary while you study, so you are not relying on maintenance loans or parental support in the same way a full-time student might.

Top employers and sectors

Degree apprenticeships exist across many industries. Here are the sectors with the most established programmes and some of the employers that run them.

Finance and banking

Goldman Sachs, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, and J.P. Morgan all offer degree apprenticeships in areas like financial services, data analytics, and software engineering. These are among the highest-paying programmes and the most competitive. Goldman Sachs, for example, runs a degree apprenticeship in partnership with a university where apprentices work in their London offices while studying towards a degree in financial services or technology.

Media and creative

The BBC runs degree apprenticeships in journalism, production, technology, and business. ITV and Channel 4 also offer programmes. These are popular with school leavers who want to enter media without going to university first.

Healthcare

The NHS runs degree apprenticeships in nursing, allied health professions, and healthcare management. The registered nurse degree apprenticeship is one of the largest Level 6 programmes in the country. You work in a clinical setting while studying at a partner university.

Engineering and manufacturing

Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, and Network Rail all run degree apprenticeships in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and civil engineering. These typically lead to a BEng degree and often progress towards chartership through the Engineering Council.

Technology

Large tech companies, banks, and consultancies hire degree apprentices in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and digital marketing. Accenture, Deloitte, and several FTSE 100 companies run Level 6 and 7 tech apprenticeships.

Law

The solicitor degree apprenticeship is a Level 7 route that leads to qualification as a solicitor without a traditional law degree or training contract. Firms like Clifford Chance, along with a growing number of City, national, and regional firms, now offer this route alongside their trainee solicitor programmes. The apprenticeship covers the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) requirements. See our guide on how to get into law.

Public sector

The Civil Service runs degree apprenticeships across policy, digital, project management, and finance. Local councils and government departments also participate. These programmes are often the most accessible in terms of entry requirements.

Construction and the built environment

Firms like Mace, Laing O'Rourke, and Arup run degree apprenticeships in construction management, quantity surveying, and architecture. These often involve site-based work alongside university study.

Accountancy and professional services

PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and mid-tier firms like BDO and Grant Thornton run school leaver programmes. In accountancy, most of these lead to professional qualifications like the ACA or ACCA through Level 4 and Level 7 apprenticeships rather than a university degree, while their technology and consulting programmes are more likely to include one. Check what each programme awards before you apply.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary by employer and by the level of the apprenticeship.

For Level 6 (bachelor's equivalent)

Most employers ask for A-levels (typically BBB to AAB, depending on the firm) or a Level 4/5 qualification such as a foundation degree or a higher apprenticeship. Some employers accept BTECs or equivalent vocational qualifications. A few employers, particularly in tech and the public sector, accept relevant work experience in place of formal qualifications.

You do not need to have studied the subject at A-level in most cases. A degree apprenticeship in software engineering does not usually require A-level computer science. A degree apprenticeship in management does not require A-level business. Employers are looking for academic ability and interest in the field, not specific subject knowledge.

For Level 7 (master's equivalent)

You need a bachelor's degree or significant relevant professional experience. Some Level 7 apprenticeships are aimed at people who have been working for several years and want to formalise their expertise. Others are open to recent graduates who want to enter a profession through a work-based route rather than a traditional master's programme.

GCSE requirements

Most employers require GCSEs at grade 4 or above in English and maths. If you do not have these, some employers will let you start and study for them alongside your apprenticeship.

Age

There is no legal minimum beyond the usual 16, but because of the entry requirements, most degree apprentices start at 18 or older. There is no upper age limit for Level 6, while Level 7 funding now favours those aged 21 and under (see above).

How to find and apply

Where to search

The main search tool is the government's Find an apprenticeship service. You can filter by level (select Level 6 or Level 7), keyword, and location. New vacancies are added regularly.

UCAS apprenticeships also lists degree apprenticeships alongside university courses. This is useful if you are in Year 12 or 13 and comparing your options.

For specific employers, check their careers pages directly. The BBC, Goldman Sachs, NHS, Rolls-Royce, and the Civil Service all advertise degree apprenticeship vacancies on their own sites. Some do not list on the government service.

When to apply

There is no single UCAS-style deadline. Degree apprenticeships are advertised year-round, though many large employers open applications in autumn (September to November) for a start the following summer. Set up email alerts on the government search tool and on employer careers pages.

The application process

Most degree apprenticeship applications follow a similar process to graduate scheme applications. You submit an online form with your personal details, education history, and answers to motivational questions. You might face psychometric tests, a video interview, and an in-person interview or assessment centre. See our full guide on applications and assessments.

Because degree apprenticeships attract both school leavers and graduates, the process is designed to assess potential rather than prior professional experience. Employers know they are hiring people who have not worked in the industry before. They look for curiosity, reliability, and a genuine interest in the field.

Balancing work and university

This is the part that worries most applicants, and it is the part where degree apprenticeships differ most from traditional university.

The workload is real

You are working a full-time job (typically 37 to 40 hours a week) and studying a degree. Your study time is protected within those hours, but you will still have assignments, exams, and projects to complete outside of your designated study days. Expect to spend evenings and some weekends on academic work, particularly during assessment periods.

You will not have the traditional university social life

You are not living in halls. You are not attending lectures five days a week with a cohort of full-time students. Your social life will be built around your workplace colleagues and your apprenticeship cohort (the group of other apprentices at your employer). Some universities run social events for degree apprentices, but the experience is different from a traditional campus.

It gets easier

Most degree apprentices say the first year is the hardest, because you are adjusting to full-time work and academic study simultaneously. By the second year, you have found your rhythm. Your employer expects you to be studying and will not schedule meetings or deadlines during your university days.

Support systems

Your employer should assign you a mentor or a line manager who understands the apprenticeship structure. Your university will have a dedicated apprenticeship support team. If you are struggling with the workload, speak to both. You are not expected to manage everything alone.

Holiday

You get at least 20 days paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. You can use this for revision, rest, or travel. Your university holidays may not align perfectly with your employer's holiday, so plan ahead.

What the degree looks like

The degree you earn carries the same academic standing as the one awarded to full-time students, and is awarded by the same university.

Modules

Your modules are chosen to align with the apprenticeship standard and your job role. If you are studying a BSc in Software Engineering as a degree apprentice at a bank, your modules will cover programming, data structures, software design, and possibly a module on financial systems. The content is practical and applied.

Assessment

You are assessed through a mix of exams, coursework, projects, and presentations. Many degree apprenticeship programmes place more weight on practical projects and workplace portfolios than traditional degrees. You might submit a project based on a real problem you solved at work.

End-point assessment (EPA)

At the end of your apprenticeship, in addition to your degree, you complete an end-point assessment. This is a final evaluation conducted by an independent assessor. It might be a project, a presentation, a professional discussion, or a practical test. Passing the EPA confirms that you have met the apprenticeship standard. You do not pay for this.

The qualification

At the end, you hold a degree certificate from the university and an official apprenticeship completion certificate confirming you have met the standard. Both are yours. They are recognised nationally and internationally.

Degree apprenticeship vs university

This is the comparison most applicants want to make. Here is a side-by-side overview. For a detailed worked example with current Student Finance England figures, see our article on degree apprenticeship vs university: costs and outcomes.

Neither route is better. They suit different people. If you want the campus experience, the independence of living away from home, and three years focused entirely on study, university is the right choice. If you want to earn immediately, avoid debt, and build professional experience alongside your degree, a degree apprenticeship is the right choice.

Myths, corrected

"The degree is worth less than a traditional one." It is not. The degree is awarded by the same university, with the same academic standards, and appears on your certificate in the same way. Employers do not distinguish between the two. The apprenticeship standard is approved by Skills England and the university validates the degree.

"You have to stay with that employer forever." You do not. You are contracted to the employer for the duration of the apprenticeship (typically three to six years). Once you complete the programme and pass your end-point assessment, you are free to move on. The degree and the qualification are yours. Many degree apprentices stay with their employer because of the progression opportunities, but you are not locked in.

"Only people who didn't get into university do apprenticeships." Degree apprenticeships at top firms are as competitive as places at leading universities. Goldman Sachs, the BBC, and the NHS receive thousands of applications for a small number of degree apprenticeship places. Many applicants have A-level grades that would secure them a place at a Russell Group university. They choose the apprenticeship route because they want to earn, avoid debt, and gain experience.

"You don't get holidays or time off." You get the same paid holiday as any other employee at your company, typically 20 to 25 days plus bank holidays. Your study time is protected within your working hours. You are not expected to study on your holiday.

"It's only for school leavers." There is no upper age limit. Career changers use degree apprenticeships to move into nursing, teaching, data science, management, and engineering. If you have been working for several years and want to retrain, a Level 6 apprenticeship is the main funded route (since January 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships is restricted to people aged 21 and under at the start of the programme, though some employers still self-fund Level 7 places for older staff).

For parents

If your child is considering a degree apprenticeship, here is what you need to know.

They will be an employee with a contract, a salary, and full legal protections. They will study at a real university and earn a real degree. The employer pays the tuition fees. Your child will not take on student debt for the degree.

The workload is demanding. They will be balancing full-time work with part-time study. The first year is the hardest as they adjust. Most apprentices say it becomes manageable by the second year.

They will not have the traditional university experience of living in halls and attending lectures five days a week. Their social life will be built around their workplace and their apprenticeship cohort. This suits some people and not others. Talk to your child about what they want from the next few years.

You can support them by helping them research employers, proofreading applications, and attending employer open evenings. Many employers run parent information sessions for degree apprenticeship applicants.

A degree apprenticeship does not close doors. Your child will graduate with a degree, professional experience, and no tuition debt. They can progress to senior roles, move to a different employer, or pursue further study.

FAQ

• Can I choose which university I attend?↓

  Can I choose which university I attend?

  Usually, no. The employer has a partnership with a specific university (or a small number of universities). You study at the institution they have selected. This is part of the deal. You can ask the employer which university they use before you apply, but you generally cannot choose a different one.

• What happens if I fail a module?↓

  What happens if I fail a module?

  You can resit it. Your university and your training provider will support you through the resit process. You do not lose your apprenticeship because of one failed module. However, repeated failures may trigger a review of your ability to continue on the programme. Speak to your university apprenticeship support team early if you are struggling.

• Can I switch employers during a degree apprenticeship?↓

  Can I switch employers during a degree apprenticeship?

  It is possible but complicated. You would need to find a new employer who is willing to take you on and continue funding your degree. The new employer must agree to the same apprenticeship standard, and the university must confirm the arrangement. It is easier to switch before you have completed significant academic credit. If you are considering this, speak to your training provider first.

• Do I get student discounts?↓

  Do I get student discounts?

  You are enrolled at a university, so you are eligible for student discounts and a student union membership. However, you are also a full-time employee, so you will pay income tax and National Insurance on your salary. You cannot claim student maintenance loans or housing support, because you are earning.

• Is a degree apprenticeship harder than a traditional degree?↓

  Is a degree apprenticeship harder than a traditional degree?

  The academic content is the same. The difference is that you are also working full-time. This means you need strong time management and the ability to switch between professional and academic modes. Some people find this easier than full-time study because the work gives structure and context to the learning. Others find the dual commitment exhausting. It depends on your working style.

• Can I do a degree apprenticeship if I already have a degree?↓

  Can I do a degree apprenticeship if I already have a degree?

  Yes, but with caveats. You cannot repeat training you have already received. If your existing degree is in the same subject as the apprenticeship, the employer and training provider will assess whether the content overlaps. In practice, people use Level 7 apprenticeships to retrain into a new field after completing a bachelor's degree in something unrelated.

• What is the end-point assessment?↓

  What is the end-point assessment?

  The end-point assessment (EPA) is the final evaluation that completes your apprenticeship. It is conducted by an independent assessor who is not your employer or your university. The format varies by standard. It might be a project, a presentation, a professional discussion, or a practical test. Your training provider prepares you for it. You do not pay for it. Passing the EPA means you have met the apprenticeship standard.

• Are degree apprenticeships available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?↓

  Are degree apprenticeships available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

  The apprenticeship system in England is run by Skills England and funded through the apprenticeship levy. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own apprenticeship frameworks with different structures and funding. The principles are similar, but the specific standards, levels, and employers differ. Check the relevant body for your nation: Skills Development Scotland, Careers Wales, or the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.

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