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A-Level results come out this week, and while many students are heading straight to university clearing to secure a place on a degree course, others are exploring a different path – the degree apprenticeship.

If you’re thinking about this route, here is something you need to know straight away: you cannot apply for a degree apprenticeship in the same way you apply for a university place. To do an apprenticeship, you first need a job with an employer who offers degree apprenticeships, and it’s the company who funds your place on the course.

This can surprise a lot of potential apprentices (and their parents). So in this blog, we’ll explain what a degree apprenticeship is, how it works, how to apply for a degree apprenticeship and where to find degree apprenticeship vacancies that are being advertised. We’ll also look at some of the common myths that exist.

What is a degree apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship is a way that you can gain a university degree while working full-time in a paid role. You study towards your degree alongside your day job, usually in study blocks or specific days at your university or learning centre. The tuition fees are paid by your employer and the Government – you incur no student debt and you earn while you learn.  

You’ll also be years ahead of your peers when you graduate in terms of industry experience, meaning you progress more quickly in your career.

How is a degree apprenticeship different from a university degree?

Degree Apprenticeship	University
Apply directly for a job with an employer offering a degree apprenticeship	Apply through UCAS or Clearing
Choose your employer and role first	Choose your subject first
No tuition fees – employer pays	Pay tuition fees
Work full time, study part time	Study full time

 

How to apply for a degree apprenticeship

You first have to apply for a job with an employer who is offering a degree apprenticeship.  Look at company careers pages for vacancies, or search the Government apprenticeships pages to see what roles are being advertised. If you’re successful in getting the role, your employer will arrange your enrolment with their training provider which can be at a university, or for larger companies, their in-house training centre.

You’ll begin working while also studying for your degree. At work you’ll be allocated a workplace mentor who is there to support you and you will also have access to university welfare teams on campus, just like any other student.

There’s no single ‘application season’ for degree apprenticeships and vacancies are advertised throughout the year. Many employers recruit for an autumn start but others especially larger organisations have start dates throughout the year.

Where can I find degree apprenticeship vacancies?

The official vacancy service is but there’s also a few more links worth bookmarking or setting a web alert for:

1. Job boards like Indeed and Linkedin – use the search term ‘degree apprenticeship’
2. Larger employer career pages, such as NHS, Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover, IBM
3. Local employers and council websites

Aren’t degree apprenticeships only in trades or technical roles?

No. Apprenticeships exist in most every fields you can think of, from cyber security, nursing, engineering and law to management, design and business.

How old do you have to be to do an apprenticeship?

You can apply for a degree apprenticeship after completing A-levels or equivalent qualifications — most people start at 18 or older. Some people also progress to a degree apprenticeship after completing a Level 3 or Level 4 apprenticeship

What degree apprenticeships do »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â offer?

»ÆÉ«²Ö¿â works with employers to deliver degree apprenticeships in Digital and Technology Solutions, Cyber Security, Nursing, Leadership and Management, and Audiology. We don’t accept direct applications for degree apprenticeships — you apply to the employer, and if you’re successful, they enrol you on the course with us.  

A degree apprenticeship is more than just another route to a qualification: it’s a chance to start your career with a strong professional network, industry-specific skills, and the confidence that comes from learning on the job. You’ll graduate with a degree that’s directly linked to your chosen field, plus the work experience that employers value most.

At »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â, our partnerships with employers mean we’re delivering programmes that meet real business needs, in areas where there is strong demand for skilled people. That means what you learn in the classroom is directly relevant to your day-to-day role, and you can apply new knowledge immediately.

Whether you’re a school leaver, a career-changer, or someone already in work who wants to upskill, a degree apprenticeship offers a debt-free way to earn while you learn.

So if you’re ready to take the first step, start looking for vacancies today – you never know, your future employer could already be hiring.

Remember: the job comes first, the university place comes with it, and your career starts from day one.