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
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