Degree apprenticeships: what are the options?

Raphael Jucobin
21 Jul 2020

Degree apprenticeships are a fantastic way of gaining work experience, all the while getting a full honours degree by splitting your time between university and your apprenticeship. They form the highest level of apprenticeship available, and are equivalent to getting a qualification in higher education. You’ll be paid a salary, and graduate without any student debt!

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What kind of degree apprenticeships are out there?

There are various fields in which you can undertake a degree apprenticeship, with each option covering a different set of skills that you’ll be developing on the job, and learning as part of your degree. As with regular apprenticeships, you’ll have a range of areas to choose from, each one with a tailored standard.

Standards are the guidelines that set out the tasks you will be carrying out over the course of the apprenticeship, as well as the industry-specific skills that you’ll be learning along the way. The sectors in which you can find one include engineering, finance, health and science, and management. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, as there are 184 apprenticeship standards at degree level. In addition, new degree apprenticeships in various sectors are constantly being approved and launched by employers and universities!

Engineering

Many branches of engineering are covered by degree apprenticeships, with employers offering programmes allowing you to work with a range of products and projects.You can find opportunities in the aeronautical, automotive and electronic systems sectors, while there is also the possibility to undertake a placement in technical support, manufacturing or civil engineering. Overall, there are as many as 44 apprenticeship standards in engineering and manufacturing at degree level.

Finance

Degree apprenticeships also offer a pathway into the finance sector, with the possibility to train as a Banking Relationship Manager. In this role, you could be working across various sectors of the bank, such as corporate finance, retail, or private banking.

Alternatively, as part of your apprenticeship you could specialise in a specific area, such as accounting, sales, marketing, or management. There are 14 standards which have been approved in this sector, with programmes ranging from auditing to insurance professionals.

Health and science

Positions in the health and science sector might include placements in laboratory science working on investigations, as a Healthcare Science Practitioner, or in nursing. There are 46 standards approved in this field, including courses in pharmacology, optometry and physiotherapy.

Management

There are various universities that offer courses in risk management, project management, and senior leadership as part of your apprenticeship. In addition, programmes allowing you to graduate as a Chartered Manager are among the most common courses available.

Other sectors

Other sectors in which a degree internship can help you get ahead include construction, architecture, and public relations. You’ll also find programmes in surveying, education and software development.

How is the apprenticeship linked with a university course?

Your employer will already be working with a university to tailor your degree programme to the needs of the job and the qualification. There are over 70 universities across England that are approved for degree apprenticeships, with each programme delivered in partnership with the workplace.

Where can I find degree apprenticeships?

If you’re interested in applying for a degree apprenticeship in these fields, you can check out our job page with the latest openings!