Everything you need to know about degree apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship is a full university degree (typically BSc or BEng) that you earn while working full-time for an employer. You split your time between work and study — usually 80% on the job and 20% at university. At the end, you graduate with a full degree and real professional experience, with no tuition fees and a salary throughout.

At university you study full-time and typically pay up to £9,250 per year in tuition fees, graduating with significant student debt. With a degree apprenticeship, your employer pays your tuition fees in full and pays you a salary — so you graduate debt-free with 3–4 years of work experience on your CV. The trade-off is that you have less flexibility in what you study, since it must align with your employer's needs.

Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4–5) typically result in a foundation degree or HNC/HND, not a full bachelor's degree. Degree apprenticeships (Level 6) award a full BSc/BEng, and some even offer a Master's degree (Level 7). Both are excellent routes into employment, but a degree apprenticeship gives you the same qualification as a traditional university graduate.

Most degree apprenticeships require at least 2–3 A-Levels (or equivalent) and good GCSE grades, including Maths and English. Specific entry requirements vary by employer and programme — some top firms like KPMG or PwC are highly competitive, while others are more accessible. You must also be a UK resident, aged 16 or over, and not already in full-time education.

No — many employers accept applications from Year 12 students (or equivalent) who have predicted grades. You can apply before your final results, and offers are often conditional on achieving the required grades. Applying early is recommended as places fill quickly.

Salaries vary widely by employer, sector, and location. Entry-level degree apprenticeships typically pay between £15,000–£25,000 per year. Top employers in technology and finance (e.g. Google, Amazon, Deloitte) can pay £22,000–£30,000+. You're entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, though most employers pay significantly above this.

Yes — a degree apprenticeship results in a fully accredited bachelor's degree (or master's, for Level 7 programmes) from a recognised UK university. The degree is identical to one earned through the traditional full-time route and is valued equally by employers.

If you leave your employer, your apprenticeship typically pauses or ends. In some cases you may be able to find a new employer to continue the programme, or transfer the credits to a standard university course. This is relatively rare — most apprentices complete their programme. Before accepting an offer, it's worth understanding the employer's policy on this.

Yes — applying to degree apprenticeships through employers is completely separate from UCAS. Many students apply to both simultaneously, keeping their options open. Apprenticeship applications are typically made directly to employers, often earlier in the academic year than UCAS deadlines, so starting your search early is important.

Degree apprenticeships are available across a wide range of sectors including Technology, Finance, Engineering, Healthcare, Business Management, Law, Architecture, Data Science, Accounting, and more. Technology and Finance currently have the most available programmes, but the range is growing every year as more employers join the scheme.