COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-APPRENTICESHIPS-201718

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Higher andThe Complete Guide to Degree
Apprenticeships

University

Higher and degree Many employers Apprenticeship discounts apprenticeships are
apprenticeships: advertise roles with a You’ll be classed as an awarded purely based
the basics ‘competitive salary’. This employee, rather than on how you perform at
could mean the salary a student, so you won’t interview.
If you thought apprenticeships were just for 16 year-olds and benefits will be in line be entitled to student • Unilever requires five
leaving school, it’s time to take another look with similar roles for other discounts, but the National
organisations or that it Union of Students (NUS) GCSEs including English
Apprenticeships offer apprentice, you’ll be What could I earn? depends on your current has now brought out an and maths and two
a valid alternative to employed by a company If you’re aged 16–18, you’ll skills and experience. NUS Apprentice Extra Card. A-levels
university, with the and paid a wage for earn at least the minimum • Deloitte requires 260
qualifications to match. the work that you do. wage for apprentices The good news is For £11 per year you can UCAS points, GCSEs in
Apprenticeships are (£3.50 per hour*) but many that new funding rules get discounts on lots of English language (grade
If you choose a degree available across the UK, companies pay more than mean you’re likely to see brands. B) and maths (grade C)
apprenticeship, you still but this guide focuses on this, particularly for higher more employers offering • Network Rail requires
get to graduate with your England. level apprenticeships: apprenticeships in 2017 See more at A-level grades A-C, plus
cap and gown, along with • An aerospace than ever before. apprenticeextra.co.uk. maths and English GCSEs
several years of work How does it work? You may also be eligible minimum grade C.
experience under your belt. You’ll spend most of the engineering apprentice Benefits may include for discounts on public
week at work (a minimum at BAE Systems UK can a pension, access to a transport, with many Over the past three years,
First and foremost, of 30 hours) watching, earn £21,971 per year. car, leisure facilities or a schemes running on a local 56,200 people have
though, an apprenticeship learning and getting stuck • A higher accountancy relocation allowance if you basis, like the Apprentice started a higher or degree
is a job with substantial in. You will be learning from apprentice can earn have to move. Oyster photo card in London, apprenticeship. The
training and the colleagues across all over £13,000 per year. which gives apprentices 30% government has pledged
development of levels of the business, • A software engineer Apprentices are off certain journeys. to create 3 million
transferable skills. It’s a typically working closely apprentice can earn entitled to the same apprenticeships across all
way to earn and learn, with someone more £14,500 per year. rights as other employees: What grades do I need? levels by 2020.*
gaining a real qualification, senior who will review In fact, you could a contract of employment Academic requirements
long-term career path and your progress and potentially earn upwards and at least 20 days paid vary from programme * Statistics from GOV.UK
the possibility for higher coach you. of £300 per week plus holiday per year, plus to programme. Some
earnings. your employer and the bank holidays.
You’ll also spend time government pay your
And, best of all, no attending college, a tuition fees, meaning no 89% of apprentices
university debts: you’ll have university or training university loans for you! were satisfied with
been earning for the length provider, training at In contrast, English their apprenticeship;
of your apprenticeship and work or online. Some students taking a full-time 97% of apprentices
there are no tuition fees. apprenticeships use a university degree pay said their ability
combination of options; around £9,000 per year to do the job had
What is an your employer will in tuition fees, as well as improved and 92% of
apprenticeship, exactly? decide which method day to-day living, rent and apprentices said their
An apprenticeship is a works best. travel costs. career prospects had
combined package of improved.*
work and study. As an
* Statistics from GOV.UK
* National Minimum wage for apprentices will increase on 1 April 2017 to £3.50 per hour.
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2

Got what it takes to be
the next apprentice?

You’ve heard what an apprenticeship is, but how do you
know if it’s right for you?

An apprenticeship is not Anything that can Royce, GlaxoSmithKline, Type of apprenticeship Level Equivalent educational level
an easy option. You’ll be demonstrate your interest Goldman Sachs and BAE Intermediate 2 5 GCSE passes at grades A* to C
starting a challenging and your readiness for Systems offer degree Advanced 2 A-level pass
job and trying to prove work could help you stand apprenticeships, but you’ll Higher 4, 5, 6, 7 Foundation degree and above
yourself in the workplace, out from the crowd. also find smaller companies Degree 6, 7 Bachelor’s or master’s degree
while getting to grips with offering them, too.
studying for a degree. Which level is the right
level? Sought-after skills and
You will be expected There are various levels of qualities
to achieve academically apprenticeship you could • Teamwork
and at work, managing apply for depending on • Collaboration
your time and adjusting your qualifications and • Interpersonal skills
to longer hours with skills (see table, right). • Enthusiasm
fewer holidays than at • Motivation
school or university. You Some courses could • Communication
might have to travel or be up to four, five or six • Analysis
relocate to find the right years. Even with A-levels • Creative solutions
opportunity for you. you may still be expected • Attention to detail
to start at an intermediate • Logical thinking
What are employers or advanced level in job • Initiative
looking for? areas such as engineering,
An apprenticeship is while you build up your As well as being flexible
actually designed by occupational skills. and adaptable to suit
employers, meaning you’ll changing business needs
be developing the right Which higher level at work, you’ll also need to
skills and knowledge to be apprenticeships are be self-motivated during
a success in your chosen available? independent study, and be
industry. They’re looking There are around 75 prepared to put what you
for personal aptitude and different higher and learn into practice.
enthusiasm rather than just degree apprenticeships.
your academic ability; in From accounting to Across all types of
fact, some employers don’t aerospace engineering, apprenticeship, there
ask for specific grades at new apprenticeships are were 1,656,680 online
all. It helps if you have a being developed all the applications made
particular interest in the time with more highly- in 2015 to 2016.*
area you want to work in skilled apprenticeships
and can demonstrate this popping up each year. * Statistics from GOV.UK
from previous experience. Big companies like Rolls

4 35

“When I first started my apprenticeship I knew I “Apprenticeships allow ”We took on apprentices because it was the right
wanted to work in engineering, and I thought I would us to attract the very thing to do; for social mobility, improved staff
likely go down the manufacturing/theory route but best of talent and to retention and for the future of our business. But
my apprenticeship enabled me to maximise my keep it, through a focus what’s amazed us most is how well the apprentices
experience by rotating around different parts of on upskilling the entire have performed. They still surprise us every day.”
the business including finance and marketing. This workforce regardless Sam Lee, Head of Recruitment,
granted me a good insight into how the company is of age or role. We’ll Bond Dickinson LLP
run and ultimately allowed me to realise the area that continue to promote
best suited my skills.” apprenticeships as Want to find out about other apprentices’ experiences? Try
Holly Broadhurst, Higher Design Engineering the right thing for our Rate My Apprenticeship, a website featuring over 4,000
Apprentice, J C Bamford Excavators employees and our reviews. ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk
company.”
“My apprenticeship allowed me to learn whilst gaining masses of experience at the Barry Norris, Training 7
same time. I’m now doing my dream job and my ultimate goal is to study for a BA and Development
and Masters in mechanical engineering and become a chartered engineer. The big Director, Mitie
dream is to one day be Sellafield’s chief mechanical engineer.”
Adam Sharp, Advanced Level Mechanical Design Apprentice and National
Advanced Apprentice of the Year, Sellafield

6

What’s on offer – subjects, unis and employers
Who could you work for – and doing what? The higher and
degree apprenticeship landscape is becoming more diverse Universities and Higher Educating Institutions delivering apprenticeships.

Anglia Ruskin University Oxford Brookes University University of Exeter
University of Gloucestershire
Sectors and occupations with higher or degree apprenticeships Arts University Bournemouth Plymouth College of Art University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire
Accounting Intelligence operations Aston University Queen Mary University of London University of Huddersfield
University of Hull
Actuarial technician Investment operations specialist Birmingham City University Ravensbourne University of Kent
University of Lincoln
Advanced dairy technologist IT, software, web and telecoms professionals Bishop Grosseteste University Royal Agricultural University University of Plymouth
University of Portsmouth
Aerospace engineer Junior 2D artist (visual effects) Buckinghamshire New University Sheffield Hallam University University of Salford
University of Sheffield
Aerospace software development engineer Junior management consultant Coventry University Southampton Solent University University of Sunderland
University of the Arts, London
Agriculture Laboratory scientist De Montfort University Staffordshire University University of Warwick
University of Winchester
Aircraft maintenance certifying engineer Legal services Falmouth University Teesside University University of Wolverhampton
University of Worcester
Assistant technical director (visual effects) Life sciences and chemical science professionals Harper Adams University University College Birmingham University of Wolverhampton
Writtle University College
Associate ambulance practitioner Licensed conveyancer Kingston University University for the Creative Arts

Associate project manager Management Leeds College of Art University of Bolton

Aviation operations manager Manufacturing engineer Leeds Trinity University University of Bradford

Bespoke tailor and cutter Professional development for work based learning Liverpool John Moores University University of Brighton

Broadcast technology Network engineering London South Bank University University of Central Lancashire

Bus and coach engineering manager Nuclear scientist and engineer Loughborough University University of Chester

Business and professional administration Nuclear welding inspection technician Manchester Metropolitan University University of Chichester

Care leadership and management Operations/Departmental manager Middlessex University University of Cumbria

Chartered legal executive Outside Broadcasting engineer Northern School of Contemporary Dance University of Derby

Chartered manager Paraplanner Northumbria University University of Durham

Chartered surveyor Product design and development engineer Nottingham Trent University University of East London

Construction management Professional accounting taxation technician Open University University of Essex

Control/technical support engineer Professional services

Conveyancing technician Project management Examples of employers offering apprenticeships

Cyber intrusion analyst Public relations Accenture BT HSBC RBS
Airbus Cabinet Office IBM Rolls-Royce
Cyber security technologist Public sector commercial professional ASOS CapGemini Jaguar Land Rover Royal Air Force
Astra Zeneca Carillion Civil Engineering John Lewis SABIC UK Petrochemicals
Data analyst Rail engineering advanced technician BAE Systems CGI ITV Santander
Balfour Beatty EE Lloyds Banking Group Sellafield
Dental practice manager Recruitment BAM Nuttall E.ON MBDA Siemens
Barclays EDF Energy Mini Sky
Dental technician Relationship manager (banking) BBC Ford MoD Specsavers
BMW Group UK Fujitsu National Grid Starbucks
Digital and technology solutions professional Retail manager Boots Goldman Sachs Network Rail Toyota Manufacturing UK
Bright Future Google Pets at home Transport for London
Digital learning design Senior compliance/Risk specialist British Airways GSK Pfizer Inc Vauxhall Motors
British Gas HMRC Price Waterhouse Coopers
Electrical/Electronic technical support Engineer Senior housing/Property management Broughton Laboratories HP QinetiQ

Electrical power protection and plant Social media and digital marketing
commissioning engineer

Embedded electronic systems design Software developer
and development

Facilities management Software tester

Financial adviser Solicitor

Health assistant practitioner Supply chain management

Healthcare science associate Sustainable resource operations and management Employers of all different sizes and from different sectors employ apprentices, visit gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship for all the latest vacancies.

Hospitality management Systems engineering

Human resource management The water industry

Insurance professional Unified communications trouble shooter

Please note that the above standards and frameworks are correct as of publication. For an up to date list please visit gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

89

A week
in the life

There’s no such thing as a
typical week, or even day, in
the life of an apprentice

From travelling to an office “Apprentices spend “The programme starts with a seven-week block of “Studying whilst working
in another city, meeting most of their first year residential practical training attended by apprentices means you always have
with clients to visiting a at college, learning working for various different employers. Apprentices to be one step ahead but
construction site: who the fundamentals of get to network, make friends and learn from each the experience you get as
knows what you might be engineering. Practical other. For those based in the same towns or cities, part of an apprenticeship;
doing next. experience of the some even move into shared accommodation working in the same
workplace takes place in afterwards. After this, the programme is delivered environment every day
Employers expect a lot, a manufacturing plant or online by Aston University through recorded lectures, and meeting and building
but no-one expects you vehicle workshop outside online tutorials and case studies. Online seminars and relationships with a whole
to know how to do the term-time. Attendance tutorials might take place in the evening. Each week, host of different people,
job already. That’s what at college drops down apprentices are expected to do at least five hours is both rewarding and
the apprenticeship is for, to two days per week in learning and an additional five hours self-study, on invaluable.”
after all. The organisation the second year, while top of their full-time job.” Charlotte Blowers,
you work for should help attendance at work Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Intermediate Apprentice
you to adjust to your new increases. This is later Apprenticeship, CapGemini of the Year, Exceed
working life with induction followed by block-release Training Academy
programmes or personal study towards BEng “We’re getting a high level of academic performance
development activities to Applied Engineering at from apprentices on our programme as the relevance
help you get started. Later University of Warwick.” of the material is immediate.”
on, you’ll meet buddies or Engineering Degree Ian Nabney, Deputy Dean,
mentors who you can turn Apprenticeship, Jaguar School of Engineering and Applied Science,
to for support. Landrover Aston University

“Every week I have a two-hour project review session
with my department head. This meeting gives me
the opportunity to see where we are up to with our
activity plan as well as see if we are on track with our
budget, cover off any risks and opportunities, and
generally discuss the project and where we need to
keep our focus.”
Michelle, Engineering Degree Apprentice,
BAE Systems

10 11

Your long-term
career prospects

What kind of difference could an ‘‘The degree apprenticeship has been designed by employers to teach students
apprenticeship make to your life the cutting-edge technical skills that they need to stay ahead in an ever-changing
in the long-run? market. This means that the sky really is the limit for those who graduate from
a degree apprenticeship and businesses are benefiting from the skills that they
Although no-one knows After several years bring from day one.” Sasha Morgan Manley, Managing Director, Morgan
exactly what the future working with managers Manley Ltd
holds, the prospects and peers, experiencing
for higher and degree various aspects of the “My apprenticeship has offered endless development opportunities. I would
apprentices look bright. business and developing never have thought that by the age of 21 I would be given the chance to manage a
the essential skills and team, travel to BT offices abroad and contribute to the business economy”.
One of the reasons knowledge, you should Memona Mohammad, Higher Apprentice, Technology, Service and
businesses take on have become a very Operations, BT
apprentices at this valuable employee.
level is that they need a It’s not unusual for an “My apprenticeship has, quite frankly, changed my life. My confidence has grown
highly-skilled workforce. ex-apprentice to work from being a very shy person to being able to present in front of both client
This is a good thing their way up to the directors and in local schools to help promote apprenticeships. My personal
for the company but boardroom. boundaries are tested and are expanding on a weekly basis and family and
also for you. Exactly friends have noticed that I have grown as a person. I can honestly say that
what happens after Former apprentices without this apprenticeship I would not be the person I am today.”
an apprenticeship will are particularly well Joshua White, Business Analyst, IBM
depend on your employer represented in senior
and your contract. Many management teams in “I’m very ambitious about my future. I started at university in September,
higher and degree construction, engineering studying a B.Eng in Computer Aided Engineering. I cannot have enough passion
apprenticeship schemes and energy; 30% of the and enthusiasm for apprenticeships. Without mine, I wouldn’t be the confident,
are designed to develop senior UK managers mature, challenge-driven individual I am today: greatest decision of my life. Since
the leaders and managers at Rolls Royce started starting my apprenticeship my confidence has increased significantly.”
of the future. The out at the company as Jade Aspinall, Manufacturing Engineer, MBDA UK
experiences you gain as apprentices. Remember
an apprentice can provide to make sure you keep
a springboard towards track of the key skills and
promotions and higher- experience you’ve gained
level opportunities. for your growing CV.

After finishing, 77% of apprentices stay with the same “Apprentices leave the Nestle Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship
employer, 46% received a pay rise, and 36% reported with a guaranteed job, a degree, membership of the Chartered Management
getting a promotion.* Institute and three years’ work experience in a range of roles, having
made a meaningful contribution to the workplace from the outset.”
* Statistics from GOV.UK Conor Moss, Director of Education and Employer Partnerships, Sheffield
Hallam University

12 13

How to apply
and next steps

Raring to go? Here’s how to make
an application – and be successful

Your starting point when Keen to work for a particular Stay focused The recruitment process Application tips
searching for apprenticeship company? It’s really quite normal to have There can be a number of • Clearly read the job description, making note
vacancies is the Find an Follow them on Twitter and some doubts and nerves about hurdles to leap before you even
Apprenticeship tool: gov.uk/ other social media. This is often the process, especially around get to a face-to-face interview: of key points such as entry requirements and
apply-apprenticeship. the first place you’ll hear about spring-time, when your friends an application form, online ‘essential’ qualities
recruitment updates. have their university offers and tests, perhaps a phone or online • Research the company beforehand, so you
Some employers will ask you you might still be waiting to interview, before heading to an understand its key areas and priorities
to apply directly to them. If this appear. find the right vacancy to apply assessment day. • Include relevant experiences and skills
is the case, you’ll be directed to Don’t wait until the deadline to. Don’t panic! Keep calm • Be specific and give examples to demonstrate
the right place from the Find an and focus on making a great You might find that smaller what you have to offer
apprenticeship results page. to make an application. application when the right organisations have a slightly • Back up your statements with evidence
Some companies close their opportunity arises. Remember more informal or personal • Use an appropriate email address and voicemail
If you are interested in working recruitment as soon as they this is a competitive process: process, perhaps involving message on your phone
for a particular employer, take have sufficient candidates. you’re applying for a job, so an initial written application, • Regularly log on to your account to track
a look on their website. Most make sure you sell yourself as followed by face-to-face your applications
businesses have a page on As a general rule, vacancies best you can. interview stages if you’re • Don’t let emails end up in your junk folder
careers, apprenticeships or with larger companies start shortlisted. Good luck! • Don’t undersell yourself. Be confident (but
vacancies. You can also search appearing in the autumn, honest!) about your abilities
for apprenticeship vacancies but the majority pop up from
on both The Student Room and January or February onwards. 15
UCAS websites. Smaller businesses might start
recruiting a month or two
When to apply before the job starts, so if you
Unlike university applications, hope to start work in August
there is no fixed deadline or September, you might start
when it comes to applying for looking from Easter onwards.
apprenticeships. Vacancies
appear throughout the year, so Do check start dates closely, to
it is worth registering for alerts make sure you’ll have finished
at gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship school or college.
to hear about vacancies as they
Start your research early – the
Up to 28,000 apprenticeship sooner the better, so you have
vacancies are available online time to fill any gaps in your CV
at any one time.* with the things employers are
typically looking for (see page
*Statistics from GOV.UK two), including getting some
relevant work experience.

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University National Apprenticeship Service
08000 150 600
Which? University Search apprenticeships on gov.uk
http://university.which.co.uk/
@Apprenticeships
@WhichUniUK National Apprenticeship Service
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