Deciding what to do after school or college is a BIG decision! Perhaps you like the idea of graduating in a cap and gown, but not the big chunk of debt that comes with it. If so, a degree apprenticeship may be perfect for you!
Before you make a decision, it’s important you have all the information you need to guide your next steps. As a former apprentice, I’m here to give you the full rundown on degree apprenticeships and what to expect, so you can decide whether a degree apprenticeship is worth it for yourself!
What are degree apprenticeships and how do they work?
You may be thinking, what even is a degree apprenticeship?
Well, a degree apprenticeship is a combination of work and study- you work towards a qualification alongside working within a company where you’ll receive loads of real-world experience (which is greatly favoured by employers!). You’ll even be paid a wage for the work that you do (Woo!).
They take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level. You’ll spend most of your time working but you’ll also have time to study at university. For example, you might go to university one or two days per week, or in short blocks like a week at a time. Overall, you spend about 20% of your time studying vs. 80% of your time working.
What are the requirements?
This really depends on the vacancy. You might need specific grades, but most of the time employers are looking for other skills you can bring to the role, like communication, initiative, and most importantly passion! Ultimately, they want to hire someone who wants to learn and bring something to their organisation.
If you’re still worried you won’t fit the criteria to be accepted, check out Prospects website where you can find out common entry requirements.
How do I find them and apply?
The best place to start would be the Gov.uk website or UCAS. Here you’ll be able to look through all the different degree apprenticeships on offer and filter near you. From Digital Marketing to Computer Science; there really is something for everyone.
It’s important to note that employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year and there is no application cycle like with university. The vacancy will state when the application deadline is, and when the apprenticeship is due to start. Instead of having to write that dreaded personal statement (yuck!), you’ll need to scrub up your CV. Think about what you can add that will really help you stand out. Indeed has a really helpful guide if you need some help on what to include (this is what I used that helped me secure my role!).
So, are degree apprenticeships really worth it?
Now that I’ve gone through all the key things to consider about degree apprenticeships, it’s time to consider the benefits.
Both a degree and a degree apprenticeship are highly regarded by employers, but personally, I think an apprenticeship gives you that ‘edge’:
- You’ll get real-life experience and a degree qualification
- Debt-free study
- You’ll earn a wage while you learn
- Opportunities for career advancement
- Receive support from the training provider (in this case, the university) and the organisation you work for
- Fantastic industry networking opportunities
In my opinion, it’s a no-brainer! If you’re still stuck deciding, why not read from other apprentices in our blog to help make your decision?
