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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide Over 3,000 degree apprenticeships available for students leaving school or sixth form college in the summer of 2025 .
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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
Contents
Welcome to The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships .. . . . ..... 4
The ‘earn as you learn’ route to a debt-free university degree . . . . ..... 6
What is a degree apprenticeship? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... 8
Applying for degree apprenticeships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. 14
Accounting
Accounting Business & Management
Banking & Finance
23
35
41
Engineering
Law
Technology
47
55
63
Employer Profiles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................. 69 AtkinsRéalis AWE Barclays BBC BDO CIMA JPMorganChase KPMG Lidl PwC Rolls-Royce White & Case Deloitte EY ICAEW
A-Z of Degree Apprenticeship Employers 2025 .. . . . . . . . . . . ............ 97
The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships is published annually by High Fliers Publications The Gridiron Building, 1 Pancras Square, London N1C 9AG 020 7428 9000 DegreeApprenticeships.Guide Editor Martin Birchall Publisher Zoe Gordon Production Darcy Mackay Marketing Ellie Goodman Digital James Collins
Degree Apprenticeships 3
Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide Welcome to The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships I am delighted to introduce you to The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships , the new guide for sixth form students, parents and careers advisers at schools and colleges. This guide provides information for sixth form school-leavers who are looking Apprenticeships are first and foremost a job, so you’ll get hands-on experience to develop the skills, abilities and knowledge you need to become successful in your chosen profession or occupation. This guide provides a unique insight into the many different degree
apprenticeships that are now available, guidance on how to make successful applications to apprenticeship employers, and a wealth of case studies about degree apprentices working in different industries and business sectors. I am absolutely committed to making sure people get every opportunity to learn and to get on and to lead better, more rewarding and fulfilled lives. That’s why I’m so keen to ensure that young people understand the range of routes available to them when they
not just for an alternative to university but a different experience that will lead to a university degree or professional qualification, as well as invaluable work experience. The higher education offered in this country is world leading. Our universities provide opportunities for people to follow their passions and to expand their horizons. However, not everyone wants to do a full-time university course, and for many sixth formers who know the type of job or career they’re interested in before they leave
Baroness Jacqui Smith Minister for Skills & Apprenticeships
leave full-time education. Apprenticeships are vital channels for economic growth and opportunity for everybody – and I urge every young person to consider an apprenticeship when thinking about their future.
school or college, degree apprenticeships offer an exciting route combining employment with study. Apprenticeships are an ‘earn-as-you-learn’ route – you will have no tuition fees or training costs, and will earn a salary throughout your apprenticeship.
4 Degree Apprenticeships
“
I’m sure that you’re keen to make your next move, but you may not know about the huge range of options out there. We want to rebalance the playing field, so you are aware of all the opportunities to find what’s right for you. There are Higher Technical Qualifications, employment options, and degree apprenticeships, which are just as valid as a traditional degree. With a degree apprenticeship, your employer covers all university tuition fees, so you earn as you learn, making this pathway financially accessible. Open to students from all backgrounds, degree apprenticeships are prestigious and competitive, and can unlock a direct route to graduate-level employment. So, if university doesn’t feel like the right choice for you, explore the exciting possibilities out there, including degree apprenticeships – you might find the perfect fit for your future. ” professional body, such as the Health & Care Professions Council. And in some careers, it is not always possible to secure a degree- level apprenticeship straight after school – they can be extremely competitive. When you’re looking for an apprenticeship, do your research and keep an open mind. Don’t discount doing an apprenticeship at level 3 in your chosen field first. This is often the most suitable entry point for an 18-year-old with little or no work experience, even if you already have level 3 A levels or BTech. And there is always plenty of scope for progression to a degree apprenticeship afterwards. All apprenticeships provide high-quality training, as well as supporting productivity, social mobility and widening participation in higher education and employment. With the huge range of occupations available, there is sure to be an apprenticeship for you. ”
Going to university after school may feel like a natural next step. But it’s important to recognise that isn’t the only path. In fact, for many students, university isn’t the right fit. Figuring out your future career path may be one of the biggest challenges of your post-school journey. For some, time spent at university exploring your options can be valuable. However, if you already have a clear idea of the field you want to work in, degree apprenticeships offer an exciting alternative. Launched just a decade ago, degree apprenticeships are work- based programmes that combine academic study with real-world experience. They’re provided by employers across popular industries like accountancy, law, engineering and healthcare. With a degree apprenticeship, you can fast-track your entry into the graduate job market, gaining The range of professional careers you can begin through an apprenticeship has increased hugely – and there are now over 100 undergraduate-level apprenticeships available in a wide range of industries and sectors. These degree apprenticeships allow you to ‘earn as you learn’ and achieve a degree from some of our best universities. Degree apprentices put their training into practice straight away in the workplace and build vital experience on their CVs. More than 300 employers now offer degree apprenticeship programmes. They work in partnership with universities, colleges and training providers across England to provide alternative degree courses that are recognised in the same way as full- time degrees. To encourage universities to offer more degree apprenticeships, £40 million of funding has been allocated, so even more people can
access these opportunities. Not all degree-level apprenticeships include a degree qualification – for some you will receive recognition from a Kate Ridley -Pepper Director of Apprenticeships Department for Education
“
valuable skills while earning a salary – and avoiding the often- substantial debt associated with university tuition fees. Oli de Botton Chief Executive Officer The Careers & Enterprise Company
Degree Apprenticeships 5
Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
The ‘earn as you learn’ route to a debt-free university degree Martin Birchall, editor of The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships , explains how degree apprenticeships offer an increasingly-attractive alternative to the traditional university experience. E very year, more than 300,000 students apply to university to study for a degree after sixth form – it’s a nerve-wracking time for the nation’s school-leavers and
18-year-olds begin a salaried degree apprenticeship, with the tuition fees for their undergraduate degree paid in-full by the employer they join. Degree apprenticeships were first introduced in 2015 and are now available at more than three hundred employers, including roles in engineering, accounting, technology, healthcare, business & management, law, banking & finance and teaching. “By doing a degree apprenticeship, our apprentices are employed from day one and don’t have to compete for a graduate job after university,” explains Richard Hamer, Director of Education & Skills at BAE Systems. The global defence and aerospace company is currently one of the UK’s largest degree apprenticeship employers and is expecting to take on more than 400 new degree apprentices in 2025 for roles including aerospace & nuclear engineering, information & technology, and project management. “Our degree apprentices typically start on a salary of about £23,000 and that rises to around £35,000 by the end of the five-year programme. And there’ll be another lift when they move into their first job, on completion of the apprenticeship,” says Hamer. It’s not unusual for degree apprentices to be paid
their parents. As well as the competition for places at their universities of choice, school-leavers face rising tuition fees, record student debts and uncertain prospects in the post-university graduate jobs market too. The latest official figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveal that fewer than 45% of new graduates find full-time graduate-level employment within 15 months of completing their degree. And a survey of over 14,000 graduates from the ‘Class of 2024’ by High Fliers Research shows that average students debts at the end of university are now £44,000. Worse still, three-quarters of students only make it through their studies with considerable additional financial support from their parents, an eye-watering average of £16,000 per student. But for one group of sixth form school-leavers, student debt and finding a well-paid graduate job won’t be an issue. Each year, over three thousand
6 Degree Apprenticeships
Eversheds Sutherland was one of the first to offer solicitor degree apprenticeships and has recruited over sixty apprentices in the past eight years. “We wanted to open up the legal profession to those from low socio-economic backgrounds, who may not get the chance to go to university because they can’t afford it,” explains Stefi Contardo, the firm’s Emerging Talent Business Partner. The initiative has proved successful and a large percentage of the sixth-formers that have applied for the firm’s solicitor degree apprenticeships are the first generation in their family to go to university. Rhian Duncan is a few months away from completing her four-year engineering degree apprenticeship at JLR, the UK’s largest car manufacturer. “Having the financial security of a monthly income has made such a difference during my apprenticeship. I haven’t had the long summer holidays that university students enjoy, but I’ve now got savings and managed to buy my second car last year,” she says. “And I’ve got the travel bug too, with trips to Morroco, Iceland and Spain, all thanks to the salary from my apprenticeship.” Duncan studied maths, physics and business at A-level, and continuing to university was the norm at her school. “But the degree apprenticeship at JLR offered a great salary and the degree part of the apprenticeship was with the University of Warwick,” she recalls. “The combination of a renowned company, a well-known university and a top degree was an unbeatable one.”
in excess of £100,000 over the duration of their apprenticeships – and for their employers to pay up to £27,000 in university tuition fees for the degree element of their training and development. The reason school-leavers are offered such generous pay is that degree apprentices work for their employer for the equivalent of four days a week and then study for their degree on the fifth day, either through online lectures and assignments, or in-person at a university. “All of our degree apprentices are doing real jobs,”
says Iain Heath, Head of Emerging Talent UK at HSBC, which offers degree apprenticeships that cover retail & commercial banking, technology, and cyber security. “They are holding positions in the bank that someone else would be doing if they weren’t there, and they make a positive contribution
It’s not unusual for degree apprentices to be paid over £100,000 during their apprenticeship
to the business from the outset,” he continues. Degree apprenticeships at HSBC are usually five-year programmes and are designed to enable apprentices to reach the same level in the organisation as a university-leaver who has completed the HSBC graduate programme. Competition for places on degree apprenticeships can be fierce, with over 20 applicants per place on many of the most-popular programmes. And the majority of employers require sixth-formers to go through a three or four-stage recruitment & selection process, often during the final months of their A-level studies. For those who are successful, a degree apprenticeship can be life-changing. Law firm
Degree Apprenticeships 7
Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
What is a degree apprenticeship? Apprenticeships have played a key role in preparing young people for employment for over 400 years, but the opportunity to study for a university degree or professional qualification during an apprenticeship was only introduced a decade ago. A pprenticeships are defined by the Government as a paid job that offers practical work experience, alongside formal classroom-based training which entry-level programmes, to those that are equivalent to a master’s degree from university. In England, apprenticeships begin with Level 2 ‘intermediate apprenticeships’ and Level 3 ‘advanced apprenticeships’, which lead to qualifications that
leads to a nationally-recognised qualification. This training must account for at least a fifth of the time spent on the apprenticeship and is paid for by the employer. Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, not just school-leavers and young people. Around the country, there’s a complete range of apprenticeships available – from
are equivalent to GCSEs or A-levels. Level 4 & 5 programmes are ‘higher apprenticeships’, which are classed as being equal to a foundation degree. ‘Degree apprenticeships’ are Level 6 programmes that include a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) and Level 7 apprenticeships that correspond with a master’s qualification. It is these final two levels
8 Degree Apprenticeships
apprenticeships has more than doubled over the past five years, they are still in a very small minority, compared with those who choose to follow the traditional university route. According to the Institute of Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE), there are more than 100 different types of Level 6 degree apprenticeships available. It’s an impressive list that includes aerospace engineer, biomedical scientist, chartered surveyor, digital marketer, financial services professional, police constable, professional economist, registered nurse, retail leader and teacher. The challenge for sixth form students is that
of apprenticeships that are featured in The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships . In Scotland, the equivalent to England’s degree apprenticeships are known as ‘graduate apprenticeships’, in Northern Ireland they’re called ‘higher apprenticeships’, but in Wales they’re also identified as ‘degree apprenticeships’. Degree apprenticeships typically last 3 or 4 years – and master’s programmes can be up to 6 years – and apprentices work for the employer from day one. Employers partner with a university or other professional training provider for the formal training during the apprenticeship, which could be done on a one-day-a-week basis or in blocks during the year. For almost all degree apprenticeships, this means apprentices won’t be ‘at university’
each one of these apprenticeship programmes has a very specific role or job title, many of which are likely to be unfamiliar. In each case, apprentices work in these roles as soon as the degree apprenticeship begins and study for an appropriate degree that accompanies the occupation or profession.
The number of sixth form students interested in degree apprenticeships has more than doubled over the past 5 years
in the conventional sense but will achieve a university degree or a comparable professional qualification. All university tuition and training fees are paid directly by the employer. Since they were first introduced
In addition to the Level 6 opportunties, there are also more than fifty Level 7 apprenticeships that can enable school-leavers to become an architect, a chartered accountant or tax professional, a fully- qualified solicitor, or even a doctor – all whilst earning a salary and having their training and tuition fees paid in-full by their employer.
almost a decade ago, the number of people starting degree apprenticeships has increased each year, but sixth form school-leavers only make up a small proportion of these apprentices. They’re just as popular with those in work who want to get new qualifications and those who want to change careers. Data from 2023-2024 shows that 270,000 18 year- olds began a conventional undergraduate degree at university, after leaving school or sixth form college, whereas fewer than 4,000 school-leavers began a degree apprenticeship. So, whilst the number of sixth form students interested in degree
In the past year, the top degree apprenticeship for sixth form school-leavers was the ‘digital & technology solutions professional’ Level 6 degree apprenticeship, which more than six hundred 18-year old apprentices enrolled on. Other popular Levels of Apprenticeships in England
Type Intermediate
Typical Entry Standards -
Leads to Equivalent of 5 GCSEs
Level 2
Advanced
Level 3
5 GCSEs
2 A-Levels
Higher
Level 4 & 5
A-Levels/NFQ Level 3
HNC/Foundation Degree/HND
Degree
Level 6
3+ A-Levels
Bachelor’s Degree
Masters
Level 7
Bachelor’s Degree or 3+ A-Levels*
Master’s Degree
* some Level 7 apprenticeships are aimed at Sixth Form school-leavers
Source Department for Education
Degree Apprenticeships 9
programmes included the Level 6 ‘police constable degree apprenticeship’, the Level 7 ‘chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship’, the Level 6 ‘chartered manager degree apprenticeship’, and the Level 7 ‘accounting & tax professional degree apprenticeship’. But who should do a conventional university degree, and who might be better-suited to doing a degree apprenticeship? Both experiences lead to a degree-level qualification and both lead to the graduate job market – but by very different routes. At university, students can expect to do 25-35 weeks of full-time study each year. In England, universities charge tuition fees of up to £9,535 per year, which can be paid using a student loan. The loan is repaid in monthly instalments, once a graduate is earning at least £25,000 per year –just below the new National Living Wage for 2025. Whilst at university, students are responsible for paying their own living costs, such as rent, food and travel, but annual maintenance loans of up to £10,544 (for those studying outside London) or £13,762 (for students at university in London) are available for students in England. The amount that Number of Degree Appenticeships 2016-2024
50,110
50,000
46,790
43,230
39,200
40,000
30,460
30,000
22,480
20,000
10,870
10,000
1,700
2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Source Department for Education
10 Degree Apprenticeships
organised as block learning, where apprentices have an extended period of study, followed by a period of full-time work. The apprentice’s employer pays their university tuition fees, and any other training costs associated with the apprenticeship. And because degree apprentices are employees, they are paid a salary
students are able to borrow is determined by their family’s income. Loans are repaid post-university, alongside tuition fee loans. There are different arrangements for student loans, university tuition fees and support for living costs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Across the UK, the combination of tuition fees and living costs at university mean average graduation debts for students are typically £40,000 to £50,000. And at the end of their degree, new graduates will need to apply and compete for a graduate job – either during their final year at university or in the months following graduation. On a degree apprenticeship, apprentices study for the equivalent of one day per week throughout the apprenticeship, although some programmes are
Last year, the top degree apprenticeship was the ‘digital & technology solutions professional’
throughout the apprenticeship, usually in the range of £18,000 to £28,000 per year. It is this that pays apprentices’ living costs during their apprenticeship. By the end of a degree
apprenticeship, apprentices have been employed for between three and six years, and usually continue in a graduate-level role with their employer. Therefore, from a financial and employment perspective, degree apprenticeships usually offer a debt-free
University or a Degree Apprenticeship? University
Degree Apprenticeship Study for equivalent of
25-35 weeks of study each year Annual tuition fees of up to £9,535 per year Average graduation debts £40,000-£50,000
1 day per week, year-round Employer pays all tuition fees & training costs Paid a salary throughout, usually £18,000-£28,000 a year
Source High Fliers Research/Department for Education
Degree Apprenticeships 11
industries or business sectors and prepare for the graduate job market – all whilst studying a subject you’re interested in and, hopefully, enjoying the social and extracurricular life on offer at university. However, for sixth form
route to a university degree and a guaranteed graduate job. But who is most-suited to doing a degree apprenticeship, and who would benefit from the traditional university experience? The latest research with
More than 50 UK universities now provide degree apprenticeships.
students who already know which type of job or career they want to do, a degree apprenticeship could be an ideal option, provided there’s an apprenticeship that matches the
university students shows that fewer than one in six were certain about what they wanted to do for their career when they first started their degree.
type of roles they’re interested in. Whether it’s working in technology, engineering, law, banking, healthcare, accounting, business & management, or many other occupations and professions – a degree apprenticeship could provide a fully-funded pathway to a graduate-level job in your chosen industry or business sector. More than fifty UK universities now work with employers to provide degree apprenticeships (or their equivalent), including the University of Exeter, Manchester Metropolitan University, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Warwick in England; Herriot Watt University and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland; Cardiff University and Swansea University in Wales; and Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. It’s worth remembering, there is no such thing as a ‘general apprenticeship’ that you could use to find out about different roles or career opportunities – all degree apprenticeships are for specific job-types or occupations, working for an individual employer. And to win a place on the degree apprenticeship, you’ll need to be able to convince the employer why you’re keen to work in that role, and successfully complete their application & selection process.
So, for the majority of sixth form school-leavers, going to university provides 3 or 4 years to think about the type of career they’d like in the future. There’s time to get work experience, try out different Destinations of Sixth Form School- Leavers in 2023-2024
Destinations of 18-year olds in 2023
270,350
3,900
University
Degree Apprenticeship
Source UCAS/Department for Education
12 Degree Apprenticeships
Types of Degree Apprenticeships Available
LEVEL 6
Orthoptist Packaging professional Paramedic Physiotherapist Podiatrist Police constable Product design & development engineer Professional arboriculturist Professional economist Professional forester Project controls professional Project manager Prosthetist & orthotist Public health practitioner Rail and rail systems senior engineer Registered nurse Resilience & emergencies professional Retail leader Robotics engineer Science industry process and plant engineer Serious & complex crime investigator
Digital user experience (UX) professional Dispensing optician Electrical or electronic technical support engineer Electro-mechanical engineer Electronic systems design & development engineer Enhanced clinical practitioner Environmental health practitioner Environmental practitioner Express delivery manager Financial services professional Fire safety engineer First officer pilot Food & drink advanced engineer Food industry technical professional Geoscientist Geospatial mapping & science specialist Healthcare science practitioner Improvement leader Laboratory scientist Licensed conveyancer or probate practitioner Manufacturing engineer Manufacturing manager Marine surveyor Marketing manager Materials science technologist Midwife Mine management Model Maker Non-destructive testing engineer Nuclear reactor desk engineer Nuclear scientist & nuclear engineer Occupational therapist Operating department practitioner Ordnance munitions & explosives professional Cultural heritage conservator Curator Digital & technology solutions specialist Doctor Ecologist Game programmer Geotechnical engineer Health & care intelligence specialist Historic environment advisor Human factors specialist Infrastructure asset management professional
Accounting finance manager Advertising creative Aerospace engineer
Aerospace software engineer Agriculture or horticulture professional adviser Architectural assistant Assistant buyer and assistant merchandiser Biomedical scientist Broadcast & media systems engineer Building control surveyor Building services design engineer Building services engineering site management Business-to-business sales professional Career development professional Chartered legal executive Chartered manager Chartered surveyor Church minister Civil engineer Civil engineering site management Clinical trials specialist
Service designer Social researcher
Construction quantity surveyor Construction site management Control systems engineer Costs lawyer
Social worker Sonographer Space systems engineer Speech & language therapist Supply chain leadership professional Teacher Therapeutic radiographer Tool process design engineer Trading standards professional Transport planner VFX artist or technical director Youth worker
Creative digital design professional Cyber security technical professional Data scientist Dental hygienist Design and construction management Diagnostic radiographer Dietitian Digital & technology solutions professional Digital marketer Academic professional Accountancy or taxation professional Actuary Advanced clinical practitioner Archaeological specialist Architect Archivist and records manager Artificial intelligence (AI) data specialist Arts therapist Bioinformatics scientist Chartered legal executive litigator & advocate Chartered town planner LEVEL 7
Physician associate Play therapist Post-graduate engineer
Risk & safety management professional Senior investment & commercial banking professional Senior journalist Senior leader Senior people professional Senior professional economist Soil scientist Solicitor Specialist community public health nurse Sustainability business specialist Systems engineer Systems thinking practitioner Through-life engineering specialist
Internal audit professional Materials process engineer Medical statistician
Clinical associate in psychology Clinical pharmacology scientist Clinical scientist
Operational research specialist Ordnance munitions & explosives specialist Outside broadcasting engineer
Community nurse specialist practitioner Creative industries production manager
Source Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education
Degree Apprenticeships 13
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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
Applying for degree apprenticeships The growing popularity of degree apprenticeships means competition for places is increasing – and employers often use a demanding four-stage selection process to select their apprentices. A pplying for a degree apprenticeship is very different to applying for a place at university because there is no central application system. Instead of applications at different times during the year – and have a range of differing application deadlines. A few open their applications as early as October or November, but many continue to advertise their
programmes in April, May or even later. Employers’ entry requirements also vary
completing a single UCAS application form that covers each of your university choices, there is a separate application to prepare and submit for each degree apprenticeship employer you’re interested in. Applications for degree apprenticeships are usually made during Year 13, for programmes that begin in September or October after leaving school or sixth form college. But there is no ‘standard timetable’ for applications and employers open for
considerably. Some programmes look for sixth form school-leavers with a similar academic record to those applying for a Russell Group university. However, many employers place less emphasis on exam results and encourage applicants from a wide range of abilities to apply. To find out when employers open their degree
16 Degree Apprenticeships
our 22 apprenticeships – half of which are degree apprenticeships – could be a role that’s suitable for you.” There is no ‘right’ number of applications to make for degree apprenticeships, but employers agree that careful preparation is the key to success. “I would always say try to do less rather than more when it comes to applications, so that they’re more focussed and professional, says Richard Hamer, Director of Education & Skills at BAE Systems, the global aerospace and defence company. “You won’t get very far if you
apprenticeship applications and if they have any minimum entry requirements, the most direct route is to check employers’ individual websites. These usually provide comprehensive details of their degree apprenticeship programmes, their application deadlines, and information and guidance on their selection process. The official ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ service on the Government website lists employers that are currently accepting applications for their apprenticeships. The service covers
Instead of completing a single UCAS application, there is a separate
apprenticeships at all levels, but by searching for level 6 and level 7 opportunities, it lists the relevant degree apprenticeship programmes that are open for applications. One of the challenges for sixth form school-leavers can be working out which degree apprenticeship to apply for within an organisation. “We’ve developed a new
don’t say much in answer to questions on the application form, and if you’ve not looked through an employer’s website properly,” he warns. At HSBC, the international banking & financial institution, Iain Heath is Head of Emerging
application for each employer.
Talent UK. “Many of our applicants have done a considerable amount of online research or have come to one of our insight days and some have done work experience with the bank already,” he explains. “But we make sure all our applicants get a significant amount of information to prepare for the application process.” Applications typically ask for personal contact details, exam results and predictions, and often
‘match-me’ tool on our website,” says Lucy*, a senior recruiter at AWE, the organisation that manufactures and maintains the warheads for the UK’s nuclear deterrent, who recruits up to 100 degree apprentices each year. “It’s a short quiz with five or six questions which asks you about the things you like doing and the sort of projects you might be interested in,” she explains. “It then recommends which of
Degree Apprenticeships 17
initial application is followed by online tests, which help demonstrate applicants’ strengths and abilities, and sometimes are in a ‘games’ format. “We’re particularly interested in the skills and behaviours that an apprentice can bring to the organisation,” Heath says. “Our online tests are designed to give us a fascinating insight into the individual, to understand what excites them and which skills they’ve developed and could bring to the workplace.” Madeline Peters is Student Recruitment Attraction Manager at KPMG, one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting
include longer questions about why you’re applying to the employer and its degree apprenticeship programmes. Some applications also require a current CV. “One of the things that sets our selection process apart from other employers is that it’s a ‘blind’ recruitment process,” continues Heath. “So our recruiters only look at information that’s relevant to applicants’ ability to do the job.” This means applicants aren’t judged on the schools they’ve attended or the academic results they’ve achieved. At many degree apprenticeship employers, the
Application & Selection Process for Degree Apprenticeships
Stage 1 Application Form Online via employers’ website, can include submitting a CV and covering letter.
Stage 3 Interview
Usually an online, automated & recorded interview, but could be live or in-person
Stage 2 Online Tests
Stage 4 Assessment Centre Typically a half-day or full-day event, either in-person or online, that can include group exercises, presentations, and one-to-one interviews
A series of aptitude, ability & psychometric tests and ‘games’.
Source The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships
18 Degree Apprenticeships
one interview, where we ask about your career motivations, why you’re interested in the degree apprenticeship you’ve applied for, and why you want to work for us,” she explains. “In particular, we’re checking you understand the commitment you’ll be making, to work on the degree apprenticeship for the next four or five years.” This final round can also be an opportunity for applicants to find out more about the degree apprenticeship programmes they’ve applied for,
& professional services firms. “Our recruitment process begins with a brief application form and two rounds of online assessments to identify applicants’ key strengths,” she explains. The firm recommends allowing around 30 minutes to prepare and submit an application, then a further two and a half hours for the online tests. At this point, many degree apprenticeship employers also ask applicants to take part in an automated online video interview, where a series
meet recruiters and managers in-person – and talk to current degree apprentices too. “We make sure all our applicants get a significant
of questions appear on-screen and the candidate records their answers to each one in turn. Online tests and interviews can be a very unfamiliar experience for most sixth form students, but employers often provide guidance on what to expect during their
Online tests and interviews can be a very unfamiliar experience for sixth form students.
amount of information throughout the selection process, to help them make an informed choice about the degree apprenticeship,” confirms Heath at HSBC. Once the final stage is done, employers contact successful candidates with an offer of a place on their degree apprenticeship programme – subject to their meeting any minimum requirements for their A-levels or other sixth form qualifications – which will usually begin in the autumn.
individual selection process – and there are practice tests and automated interviews available online too. The final selection stage is usually a half day or full day ‘assessment centre’, which often takes place at employers’ offices. “Our final round assessment at KPMG is called ‘Launchpad’ and includes exercises and a group discussion,” says Peters. “And there’s a one-to-
Degree Apprenticeships 19
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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
Accounting
Fact File TYPES OF DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS Accounting or taxation professional Level 7
LENGTH OF APPRENTICESHIPS 4 or 5 years
UNIVERSITIES & TRAINING PROVIDERS BPP, Kaplan, Oxford Brooks
TYPICAL STARTING SALARIES £15,000-£27,000
EMPLOYERS BDO, Buzzacott, Deloitte, E.ON, EY,
Grant Thornton, KPMG, Marston Holdings, PwC, Stantec, Shell, TUI, Unilever, Zenopa
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Accounting
Accounting for a professional career A degree apprenticeship can take sixth form school-leavers all the way to becoming a fully-qualified chartered accountant in just four years. T he accounting profession in the UK employs more than 826,000 people, and together, the nation’s businesses spent almost £30 billion on accountancy professional services firms, the largest of which are known as the ‘Big Four’ – Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC – who together have over 100,000 employees in the UK. In total, there are an estimated 41,000 accounting firms nationwide. Accounting professionals are also employed
services last year alone. It’s a profession that plays a key role in the economy. Accountants verify that financial records are accurate, evaluate financial risks, ensure taxes are paid properly, and assess financial operations. They work with organisations in every industry and business sector, as well as with private individuals. Many accountants work for accountancy &
within the finance departments of businesses and public sector organisations, where they’re often known as ‘management accountants’. The accounting & tax professional degree apprenticeship offers sixth form school-leavers a fast-track route to becoming a fully-qualified
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Accounting
tax apprenticeships are four-year programmes and apprentices complete all the requirements of the chartered accountancy qualification during that time,” she explains. EY is very proactive about promoting its apprenticeships in schools & sixth form colleges and uses social media like Instagram and TikTok to show what life is like at the firm. “We know how hard it is to
accountant. It’s a Level 7 programme that typically takes five years to complete – which is up to two years quicker than doing a traditional university degree, followed by a graduate training programme. More than a dozen employers listed in this year’s edition of The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships are recruiting for the accounting & tax professional degree
The ‘Big Four’ accounting & professional services firms are Deloitte, EY, KPMG & PwC
apprenticeship in 2025, including PwC, Grant Thornton, Buzzacott, and Unilever. ‘Big Four’ accountancy & professional services firm EY has 21 offices in the UK. It recruits around 250 apprentices straight from school or college each year, for its
work out what you want to do after sixth form, because there’s so many options and there’s no right or wrong pathway to take,”
Sinclair acknowledges. “You could go onto an apprenticeship, you could take a gap year, or you could go to university and apply for graduate jobs later,” she continues. For those who choose the apprenticeship route at EY, the firm provides plenty of support. “Each of our apprentices has a buddy and is given their own
Level 7 audit and tax professional apprenticeships, as well as offering technology and management degree apprenticeships. Rebecca Sinclair is a student talent attraction & acquisition manager at the firm. “Our audit and
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Accounting
The apprenticeship is structured so apprentices alternate between working full-time for a few months and spending several weeks at college, preparing for their professional accountancy exams. “That way, they can really prioritise their studies when it’s exam time, and then return to the office afterwards to focus on client work,” says Sinclair. “Apprentices who join us from school or college are treated exactly the same as our graduates. They
coach, who makes sure they’re on the right pathway during their apprenticeship and get the experiences they need to pass their exams. And they check on their mental wellbeing too,” Sinclair confirms. “You jump straight into work on the apprenticeship, but you’ll still have a real social life, and you’ll get all the skills and career development you need to progress in your professional career without the university debt.”
Understanding the ICAEW . . .
F ounded in 1880, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) represents more than 200,000 accounting professionals and students around the world. “The Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification from the ICAEW is a globally recognised business, finance and accounting qualification that enables you to become a chartered accountant,” says Hannah Bailey, Senior Marketing Manager for Student Attraction at the ICAEW. “Once qualified, you can use the ‘ACA’ credentials after your name, as well as gain access to membership with ICAEW, joining more than 169,500 chartered accountants worldwide,” she continues. The ACA qualification is made up of four elements, designed to help build the technical knowledge, professional skills and practical experience that accountants need. This includes a minimum of 450 days work experience with an employer; 15 exams to test knowledge of accountancy, finance and business; professional development; and training on ethics in accountancy. “Anyone can be an accountant,” explains Bailey. “But becoming chartered means you’ve
There are currently over 7,000 employers that provide training for the ACA qualification, with increasing numbers offering degree apprenticeships as one of their principle routes to qualification. The Level 7 accountancy professional apprenticeship typically takes four years to complete and takes sixth form school-leavers through each stage of the ICAEW’s training, to become fully-qualified ACA chartered accountants. “The ACA qualification elevates you from being an ordinary accountant to becoming a leader,” Bailey believes. “It’s an incredible statistic, but 84 of the FTSE 100 companies – the UK’s biggest and most-successful companies – have a chartered accountant on their board of directors.” The ICAEW’s combination of financial, business and professional training enables chartered accountants to analyse and strategise, communicate effectively, and work with people at all levels within business or other sectors. “It’s not just a 9 to 5 job behind a desk, you can go anywhere and work anywhere in the world with your qualification,” says Bailey. “It’s such a strong career that’s fit for the future.”
demonstrated all the skills and knowledge and gone through the professional training necessary to be able to call yourself a chartered accountant.” Many chartered accountants are trained and employed by accountancy firms, like KPMG, BDO and PwC, and work with the firms’ clients in areas like audit and tax. “But they can also work in forensic accountancy on fraud cases and criminal investigations,” Bailey notes. “Or they go into business, the public sector, or not-for-profit organisations. It’s a qualification that’s very flexible and valued in a wide variety of sectors,” she enthuses. An impressive 99 of the top 100 global brands employ ICAEW chartered accountants and the ICAEW regulate and supervise over 11,500 accounting firms in the UK. “Whether it’s fashion businesses, tech companies, football clubs or charities, they all employ ACA-qualified accountants,” says Bailey.
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Accounting
firm during their apprenticeship,” recounts Sinclair. “Some of our earliest apprentices who started in 2016 are now senior managers, they’ve had very successful career journeys.” BDO is the UK’s fifth-largest accountancy & professional services firm with 18 offices across the country, including in London, Guildford, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Belfast. Elan Davies, is an early careers resourcing adviser at the firm. “At BDO we
work on client projects like audits and tax reviews or work in our strategy and transaction teams,” she continues. “It’s real, meaningful work that has an impact for our clients.” At the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices move into a permanent role with EY, as fully- qualified chartered accountants. “We find that our apprentices tend to stay with us longer because they are really integrated into the
. . . and CIMA qualifications
C IMA isn’t a traditional accounting qualification,” says Jason Nye, senior operations “
“Business needs finance people, because every business has a finance department,” Nye believes. “And every team within a business needs the support of their finance colleagues, whether that’s marketing, sales, technology or operations.” Degree apprenticeships that include the CIMA qualification are often rotational schemes that give apprentices experience in a number of different parts of a company, in addition to the finance department. “At Sky, for example, the finance degree apprenticeship includes several rotations, so an apprentice could be involved in the launch of a new channel or looking into the viability of a TV series,” explains Nye. “CIMA is a financial qualification for business. If someone is looking for a finance or business career and they’re good with numbers, but they’ve got other interests too – like television, football, technology or fashion – they can have a great finance career within that industry,” he enthuses. “You’re combining your passion for something, with your interest in finance. When you bring those two together, you’ll love the job you do and will have a really rewarding professional career.”
“A management accountant wouldn’t necessarily have that as their job title,” Nye says. “They could be a financial analyst, a project manager or a management consultant. It depends on where someone’s career takes them and where they choose to specialise.” For school-leavers, one route to CIMA’s CGMA qualification is the Level 7 accounting apprenticeship that’s offered by employers like Amazon, the NHS, Unilever, TfL, Hilton Hotels and the BBC. The apprenticeship includes each of the different stages of the chartered global management accountant qualification and usually takes around 5 years to complete. Alternatively, there is a two- year Level 4 apprenticeship that leads to the foundation stage of the full CIMA qualification, the CIMA certificate in business accounting. Upon completion, there is then the opportunity to progress to a shorter version of the Level 7 apprenticeship, in order to become a chartered global management accountant.
manager at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
“It’s a professional qualification that’s been designed for finance and business leaders. Its purpose differs to that of a more traditional accountant whose focus is purely on the ‘financials’ and who you may find working in areas such as tax and audit,” he explains. “Management accounting brings together a real mix of financial and business knowledge and insight.” A management accountant, qualified as a CIMA Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), would use this expertise and combine it with their broader understanding of business. “Management accounting is very different to what people assume accountants do – being a ‘number-cruncher’ who reports on the past performance of a business,” cautions Nye. “It’s forward-thinking, it’s about how we use financial expertise, our understanding of the numbers, to drive decisions in the future.” Management accountants usually work in an internal role within an organisation, unlike an auditor who is brought in to do its annual accounts.
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