Your numbers
£9,250/yr
£0£12,000
£12,000/yr
£6,000£20,000
£22,000/yr
£15,000£40,000
3 years
3 years5 years
Traditional university
£63,750
Total outgoings over 3 years
(£9,250/yr tuition + £12,000/yr living costs)
+ debt interest accrues from year 1
(£9,250/yr tuition + £12,000/yr living costs)
+ debt interest accrues from year 1
Degree apprenticeship
£0 fees
Tuition fully funded by employer + government
+ earn £66,000 over 3 years
+ earn £66,000 over 3 years
Financial advantage
£129,750
The apprenticeship route leaves you £129,750 better off — money saved on fees plus salary earned.
Note: This calculator provides an indicative comparison. It does not account for student loan repayment terms (only repaid above ~£25,000/yr), maintenance grants, scholarship funding, or the opportunity cost of a higher starting salary after a traditional degree. Living costs during an apprenticeship will be lower since the employer typically covers some expenses. Use this as a starting point, not a definitive figure.
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