Earn money while getting a degree
Without paying any tuition fees
If you want to earn whilst you learn, a degree apprenticeship might be the right option for you.
You’ll combine academic study with on-the-job experience, being paid a salary, and developing your employment skills ready for a successful career.
What is a Degree Apprenticeship?
Your easy guide
How do they work?
Degree apprenticeships are developed between the Government, employers and universities, to offer students another way to study and train for a specific job role. There are degree apprenticeships in a variety of areas, from Nursing and Teaching, to Engineering and Project Management.
If you choose to do a degree apprenticeship, you will be working 80% of your time, and studying 20%. This might look like 4 days at work and 1 day at university, or a few weeks at work followed by a week at university.
How to apply
Degree apprenticeships have no fixed cycle, unlike UCAS applications for full-time degrees. This means that they can be advertised at any time throughout the year. Keep checking, so you don’t miss the opportunity to apply. And remember, you’ll still need to achieve certain entry requirements to get onto the apprenticeship.
You can do a degree apprenticeship with a company you already work with, or find one by registering your interest with a university, or looking on the gov.uk search tool.
Benefits and considerations
Pros of doing a degree apprenticeship
- You won’t need a student loan – your degree is funded by the government and your employer
- You’ll be paid a salary
- You’ll get lots of relevant work experience, ready to get a job after graduation
- You’ll get to work and learn from experts in their field, and make connections with people who can help you find a job once your apprenticeship ends
Things to consider
- Degree apprenticeships are usually longer than full-time degrees
- You will have a different work life balance, with less time to take part in social activities, and more responsibilities than full-time students
- Degree apprenticeships are really competitive, so you might want to apply for a full-time degree as a back up
Degree Apprenticeship Case Studies: Chartered Surveying
An interview with Adam Hardwick, William George, Thomas Sullivan and Sophy Roseaman from Portsmouth City Council on the benefits of the Chartered Surveying (Building) Degree Apprenticeship course at the University of Portsmouth from a personal and business point of view.
