A parent guide to university degree apprenticeships

Choosing a course and university can be a daunting task, and even more so with so many study options available for your young person to consider. In this piece we look at degree apprenticeships, making them as easy as possible to navigate and understand.

The UK Government launched degree apprenticeships as a way of combining the best of higher and vocational education to address skills shortages across the UK economy. Degree apprentices split their time between study and work, gaining paid employment while achieving a full degree in the process.

There are some clear-cut benefits to undertaking a degree apprenticeship. Students do not pay tuition fees as these are covered by the sponsoring employer and they also earn a salary whilst studying. As well as gaining a full degree, students benefit from real on-the-job training, meaning that they are well prepared for continued success in the world of work

As a part-time student, degree apprentices don’t always qualify for on-campus accommodation, and as they are working, they might not have as much time as traditional degree students to engage in social and leisure activities.

Students will also need to find a balance between working and studying. Whilst this can be challenging, there are support services to ensure students have the assistance needed throughout their studies.

There are over thirty degree apprenticeship courses on offer in England, with thousands of employers to choose from. There are useful resources available on the National Apprenticeship Services website, where students can also explore current vacancies and openings. UCAS and the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education also host some handy guides and list vacancies. We recommend encouraging your young person to start their research early.

As well as the useful websites given above, some universities offer webinars and application support sessions to help you and those you are supporting to navigate degree apprenticeships. You should also look out for university open days and encourage your young person to speak to staff, employers and academics to best prepare for the application process if they choose to apply for one.