Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
The number of career areas where there is a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship pathway is increasing. A Higher or Degree Apprenticeship offers a route to gaining a higher education qualification whilst building up experience and without paying course fees! There are many adults who are interested in changing their career or progressing their career through this route.
Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are run in a similar way to apprenticeships at other levels. It can be challenging combining a job with higher education study so you need to be self-motivated, flexible and able to manage your time. Despite the challenges, there are many benefits.
Higher Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships give you the chance to build up practical work experience while progressing academically at Level 4 and above. The qualification/s you work towards vary depending on the actual apprenticeship but can include:
- a work-related qualification e.g. an NVQ Level 4 or 5
- an HND or HNC
- a Foundation Degree
- an Honours Degree
- a professional qualification
In some cases you may be able to work towards Chartered status in your sector, such as Chartered Engineer.
Degree Apprenticeships
Degree Apprenticeships are Level 6 or 7 qualifications - this means that a full bachelor’s or master’s degree is built into the programme.
Degree Apprenticeships are alternative routes into professions where previously you could only train through full-time study at University. Things like this include Nursing and Law.
Where to find Higher or Degree Apprenticeships
You can search for and apply for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in all the same places as other apprenticeships; university and college websites often promote opportunities and you can find live vacancies on Not Going To Uni and UCAS.
See a list of the latest Higher and Degree level apprenticeship vacancies on the Amazing Apprenticeships site (this is updated twice a year) or check out the Careerpilot apprenticeship vacancy search or the Government's Find an Apprenticeship service.
What Job Sectors offer Higher and Degree Apprenticeships?
The Institute for Apprenticeships lists all of the sectors offering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships that are currently available. For more information on the types of apprenticeships available in each sector click on the link below:
- Business and administration
- Childcare and education
- Construction
- Creative and design
- Digital
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Health and science
- Legal, finance, and accounting
- Protective services (e.g. police
Examples of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in the South of England
All the universities and colleges are working with employers to develop Higher and Degree Apprenticeships - here's some examples of what is being offered in the South of England.
UWE, Bristol - offer 31 different apprenticeship areas in areas ranging from; architecture, construction, police, paramedic, occupational therapist, health science, aerospace, nuclear engineering, IT and town planning.
University of Exeter - offer degree apprenticeships in civil engineering, diagnostic radiographer, digital and technology solutions, applied finance.
University of Gloucestershire - manufacturing engineering, control engineering, digital marketing, cyber security, nursing, management, working with children and families, social work, nursing associate, financial adviser
Oxford Brookes - architecture, leadership, digital and technology solutions, social work surveying.