Can you get a degree through an apprenticeship?

Yes. A Level 6 degree apprenticeship awards a full bachelor's degree and a Level 7 awards a master's. You study part-time at a partner university while employed, and your employer and the government cover the tuition, so you finish with a degree and no tuition debt.

Do employers respect apprenticeships as much as degrees?

In most technical, skilled and commercial fields, yes — many employers value the years of workplace experience alongside the qualification. Some academic and research careers, and professions with regulated degree entry, still require the university route.

Can you apply to both at the same time?

Yes, and it is a sensible plan. You can submit a UCAS application and apply for apprenticeship vacancies in parallel, then accept whichever offer you prefer. Many people hold a university offer as a backup while waiting on apprenticeship interviews.

Can you go to university after an apprenticeship?

Yes. A Level 3 advanced apprenticeship is broadly equivalent to two A level passes and can support a university application, and higher and degree apprenticeships can be taken later. Employers also often fund further study for staff who complete an apprenticeship.

Route comparison

Apprenticeship vs university

This isn't a page telling you university is a waste of money. It's the honest trade-off: an apprenticeship pays you and costs nothing, university buys you time and breadth, and a degree apprenticeship gives you both at the price of flexibility. Which one wins depends on the job you want.

See which route fits you Degree apprenticeships

Is an apprenticeship better than university?

Neither is better overall. An apprenticeship pays you from day one, charges no tuition and gives years of experience, and a degree apprenticeship awards the same bachelor's degree with no fees. University suits regulated careers, research and subjects with no apprenticeship route, and gives more time to decide. You can apply for both at once.

Last reviewed 9 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

Side by side

Comparison of apprenticeships and university in the UK
	Apprenticeship	University
Cost	No tuition fees — the employer and government pay, including at degree level	Tuition and living costs, usually met by student loans repaid from your salary
Income while studying	A wage from day one, at least £8.00 an hour in the first year	None from the course; most students work part-time
Qualification	Level 2 to Level 7 — a Level 6 apprenticeship awards a full bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree, then optional master's or doctorate
Experience at the end	Three to six years of paid, referenced work in the occupation	Placements, internships and part-time work you arrange yourself
How you apply	Directly to each employer, all year round; competitive at big employers	One UCAS application, fixed deadlines, up to five choices
Flexibility to change subject	Lower — you're committed to one occupation and one employer	Higher — you can switch course, take a year abroad or change direction after
Student life	You stay local, work adult hours and get around 28 days' holiday	Moving away, societies, long holidays, a large peer group
Required for	Many skilled trades, engineering, digital, construction, energy, accountancy	Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, most academic research and some regulated professions

Pay and level figures come from GOV.UK and apply from 1 April 2026. See the sourced facts page.

Choose university if…

• The career you want is legally gated behind a degree — medicine, dentistry, veterinary, law's academic stage, teaching in some routes.
• You genuinely don't know yet and want three more years to find out.
• You want to research, or to study a subject with no apprenticeship equivalent.
• Moving away and the social side matter to you as much as the qualification.

Choose an apprenticeship if…

• You can name the job, and it has an apprenticeship route.
• Earning now matters, or you'd rather not take on tuition debt.
• You learn faster doing the work than reading about it.
• You want a degree anyway — a Level 6 apprenticeship gives you one, paid for.

Common questions

Is an apprenticeship better than university?: Neither is better in general; they suit different goals. An apprenticeship pays you from day one, has no tuition fees and gives years of real experience. University offers more time to decide, a wider peer group and is required for regulated careers such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
Can you get a degree through an apprenticeship?: Yes. A Level 6 degree apprenticeship awards a full bachelor's degree and a Level 7 awards a master's. You study part-time at a partner university while employed, and your employer and the government cover the tuition, so you finish with a degree and no tuition debt.
Do employers respect apprenticeships as much as degrees?: In most technical, skilled and commercial fields, yes — many employers value the years of workplace experience alongside the qualification. Some academic and research careers, and professions with regulated degree entry, still require the university route.
Can you apply to both at the same time?: Yes, and it is a sensible plan. You can submit a UCAS application and apply for apprenticeship vacancies in parallel, then accept whichever offer you prefer. Many people hold a university offer as a backup while waiting on apprenticeship interviews.
Can you go to university after an apprenticeship?: Yes. A Level 3 advanced apprenticeship is broadly equivalent to two A level passes and can support a university application, and higher and degree apprenticeships can be taken later. Employers also often fund further study for staff who complete an apprenticeship.

Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.