National Apprenticeship Week 2026: What Is a Degree Apprenticeship, and How Do I Get on to One?
A degree apprenticeship is where you work and study to achieve a degree in a certain field. This means you’ll be working in a job where the work that you do contributes to the running of a business or organisation, however you’ll be also be spending some of that time learning at a university and focusing on your studies.
They offer you the opportunity to have an alternative university experience, one that allows you the practical work experience as well as a university education.
This blog breaks down what degree apprenticeships involve, the benefits they offer, and how to apply for one.
Read on for more!
So, what is a degree apprenticeship?
A degree apprenticeship is a programme that combines paid work with university study. As an apprentice at this level, you’ll be working towards a Bachelor’s (Level 6) or Master’s degree (Level 7).
How do they work?
>As a degree apprentice, you’ll be employed in your workplace like any other member of staff. You’ll be paid and you are entitled to holiday leave, sickness and other possible benefits they might offer.
But, as an apprentice at any level, 20% of your time in work per week is dedicated to your studies. This can look different depending on your role. It could involve attending university once a week, or a day focusing on completing university work. Alternatively, you might study on block release, where you spend a week or longer at university.
This something you’ll be able to establish with your employers and course providers once you’ve secured a role.
Why would you choose to do a degree apprenticeship?
There are many reasons why people choose to go to university, but why would you choose to do a degree apprenticeship as opposed to the more traditional route of studying full time?
One of the biggest appeals of doing a degree apprenticeship is that you’ll be able to earn while you learn. Working full-time will pay you a salary from your employer, and because your tuition fees are paid by your employer (or in some circumstances through government funding) you are not responsible for funding your studies. So, when you finish your degree, you’re not left with a large student loan.
Another reason that draws people to doing a degree apprenticeship is the multiple opportunities to develop your skillset. As an employee, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills within your chosen industry, which are highly valued by employers. But you’ll also have the chance to work alongside professionals which is a great way to network and learn from experienced individuals.
To add to those skills, you’re also attending university and dedicating time to the academic side of your field. This gives you a deep knowledge of your field from your studies, as well as industry experience. This should give you lots of confidence to move forward with the next steps of your career!
How to find and apply for degree apprenticeships?
You can do a degree apprenticeships within many different industries, but where do you find the opportunities?
Before you begin your job search, it’s likely you have an idea of what industry you’d like work and study in. Researching the different opportunities is a great way to start the process and to find specific roles you’d like to apply for.
As degree apprenticeships aren’t exactly like applying for a job, university websites like UCAS advertise programs you can apply for, the same way you’d apply to be a full-time student.
Alternatively, there’s sites like the Gov.uk apprenticeship search or other dedicated apprenticeships sites that advertise what apprenticeship roles are available, and you can usually filter these searches by region or apprenticeship level.
Because of the working element of a degree apprenticeship, these roles can also be advertised on employment websites that you’d use for other jobs.
Perhaps you’re already aware of some organisations you’d like to work for. If this is the case, it’s worth checking their websites as not all companies advertise their training programs on employment sites.
It’s important to keep an open mind when searching for a degree apprenticeship. Do lots of research, attend relevant events and careers fairs and remember that you need to check for new job listings regularly.
Am I eligible?
Every course is different, but all these jobs will advertise what entry requirements they have. For degree apprenticeships, you need to check that you’re applying for the program that’s right for you.
At a minimum, it’s likely that they’ll be searching for candidates who would also be eligible for full-time study at degree level.
Tips for a strong application
As we’ve already covered, applying to do a degree apprenticeship is like applying for a job, so that application process is similar.
As you would when applying for a job role, you need a CV ready that gives a good presentation of your skills and experience. It’s a good idea to also have a cover letter that demonstrates who you are. These can be adapted to each job role you apply for.
Alternatively, you might need to fill in an application and write a personal statement – you could adapt this from your cover letter!
Either way, it’s important to demonstrate who you are when making these applications. You need to make references to your achievements, prove that you’re passionate about the field you wish to work in and why you want the role in question.
Looking for further support? Check out our Curriculum for Life blog on how can I land my apprenticeship or job.
Could a degree apprenticeship be right for you?
Degree apprenticeships are a great choice if you want to kickstart your career as you learn.
The experience of working and studying at the same time can give you a clearer picture of what you’d like your future career might look like and will also help you morph into a knowledgeable and experienced professional in your chosen field.
