Guide to becoming a degree apprentice
Becoming a degree apprentice is a fantastic way to gain a bachelor’s or master’s degree whilst continuing to work and earn, gaining valuable work experience alongside developing new skills, knowledge and behaviours.
There are a number of eligibility and entry criteria apprentices must satisfy in order to successfully apply to a degree apprenticeship programme. To help you understand if you are eligible to undertake a degree apprenticeship and if it is the right programme for you please read our guidance below.
Employer support
Degree apprentices must be employed in a role that will enable them to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with their chosen degree apprenticeship. As degree apprenticeships are funded and facilitated by an employer, they must have engaged with the university to confirm their support and eligibility prior to us inviting you to apply.
Our Employer Engagement team can support conversations with your employer regarding joining a degree apprenticeship programme.
If you are not employed in a suitable job role you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the or explore vacancies with our partner employers.
Degree apprenticeship eligibility criteria
All degree apprentices must meet criteria set out in the . The rules apply to all apprentices on any apprenticeship programme with any provider.
The rules include but are not limited to the following criteria.
All apprentices must:
- be working in a job role that provides opportunities to apply and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours from the relevant Apprenticeship Standard.
- spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. This also applies to remote and hybrid workers.
- have access to the off-the-job training detailed in their individual learning plan
- have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England
Degree apprenticeship entry criteria
Each degree apprenticeship has entry requirements set by the university, this is in addition to the mandatory apprenticeship funding rules set by the Government. The entry requirements reflect the academic rigour of studying a programme at a Russell Group university and are there to ensure potential apprentices are working at the right level to be successful on the apprenticeship programme.
Each programme has its own entry criteria, which are detailed on the programme’s web page. Entry criteria may include preceding qualifications at a set level, industry experience or both. Those with equivalent qualifications to those detailed for entry or significant work experience in the relevant field are encouraged to speak to our Degree Apprenticeship team who can advise them on a case-by-case basis.
If you meet the criteria detailed above and would like to progress your apprenticeship journey, contact our Degree Apprenticeship Team today.
Get in touch with the degree apprenticeship team