Degree apprenticeships

Why a degree apprenticeship

Degree apprenticeship FAQs

Honest answers to the questions UK applicants and parents ask most.

What is a degree apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship is a Level 6 (bachelor's) or Level 7 (master's) apprenticeship where you work full-time for an employer, get paid a salary, and study part-time at a partnered UK university. You graduate with the same full degree as a traditional student — but with 3–5 years of real work experience and no tuition fee debt.

Do degree apprentices get a real degree?

Yes. Degree apprenticeships are awarded by accredited UK universities (Warwick, Aston, Manchester Met, UWE, Northumbria and many others) and are identical in standing to a degree earned full-time on campus.

How much do degree apprentices earn in the UK?

Most degree apprentices in the UK start on £20,000–£28,000, and large employers (PwC, Deloitte, IBM, Rolls-Royce, BAE, GSK, JLR, BT, the NHS, Big 4 banks) often pay £25,000–£35,000+ in year one, rising each year.

Who pays for the degree?

Your employer and the UK government pay 100% of the tuition through the Apprenticeship Levy. You never pay tuition fees and you don't take on a student loan for the course.

What entry requirements do degree apprenticeships need?

Most ask for at least three A-levels (or equivalent — T-levels, BTECs, Access courses) at grades typically between BBB and AAB depending on the employer, plus GCSE maths and English at grade 4/C or above. STEM routes often require maths and a science.