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SHSF - Advice and Guidance on Post-18 Apprenticeships

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SHSF - Advice and Guidance on Post-18 Apprenticeships

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SHSF - Advice and Guidance on Finding Employment

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SHSF - Advice and Guidance on Finding Employment

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Looking for careers advice? Find out everything you need to know.

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Which University Guide - University vs Apprenticeships

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Which University Guide - University vs Apprenticeships

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While going to university to earn a bachelor's degree remains the most popular education option for school leavers, more and more students are considering apprenticeships that also result in a degree.
More than 48,000 people started a higher or degree apprenticeship (or level 4-7 apprenticeship) in England in 2017-18, according to the latest Department for Education statistics, a 32% increase on the previous year.

The figure still pales in comparison to more than half a million students who started a bachelor's degree across the UK last year, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa).

Below, we explore whether the traditional university route is the best to take - or whether you are better suited to an apprenticeship.
Is a higher or degree apprenticeship right for you? - Which? University answers the key questions.
What's the better choice for me - university degree or higher/degree apprenticeship?

It's not a simple case of one being 'better' than the other. They're quite different in what they offer and how they work, and much of it comes down to what works best for you, how you prefer to learn, and whether you know what industry you want to work in.

If you're weighing up the two options, here are some key selling points of each:

Whatever you choose, the reassuring news is that there are positive stories from each perspective, as we found when we interviewed a few apprentices and university students.

While undergraduate student Ruby isn't particularly concerned about the prospect of repaying her loans, apprentice Cara is pleased that she's earning and learning at the same time:

Apprenticeship mythbusting

Nearly two thirds of the 1,003 16-24 year-olds we spoke to in May 2017 said they felt they didn't know enough about apprenticeships.

You might be surprised to know that, for example:
Higher and degree apprenticeships - seven things you didn't know (but really should).

Students can apply for both apprenticeships university degrees

As an apprentice, you have all the same rights as another employee, including holiday leave entitlements

Many apprentices stay with the same employer after completing their apprenticeship

Does a university degree prepare you for the world of work?

The most recent graduate employment statistics from Hesa paint a promising picture for university leavers. 67% of 2016 graduates were working in the UK six months after graduating, 15% were in further study, 6% were combining work and further study, and 4% were working overseas. Just 5% were unemployed.

But is it just the virtue of doing a degree that lends itself to employment, or do you need to be more of an all-rounder?

To answer this question, in June 2018 we asked more than 800 employed graduates to tell us what had helped them find a job. Here are some of the top answers:

52% - the degree class they achieved

45% - the course they studied

34% - work experience/ placements/ internships completed that weren't part of their course

17% - extra-curricular activities

7% - information provided by their university's career service provision

4% - their university's career fair

So, while doing well in your degree is important for finding a job, it's not the only thing that matters.

For all of our advice on helping you land your dream job, check out our career prospects articles .

Is there as much choice with apprenticeships as with degrees?

Apprenticeships aren't purely restricted to trades or engineering. They're available in a wide range of industries, including media, accountancy, law and finance.

Big companies that offer higher and degree apprenticeships include ASOS, the BBC, British Airways and Google. Don't ignore smaller company opportunities though, as these could expose you to even more new skills and experiences.

The traditional university path might also provide some surprises in terms of choice. There's an enormous range of degree courses to choose from, from familiar subjects such as English literature or maths to others you may not have heard of (but wish you had): contemporary circus and physical theatre, yacht operations, ethical hacking and more.

University apprenticeship, Which? University can help you along the way:

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University vs apprenticeships: the showdown - Which? News

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While going to university to earn a bachelor's degree remains the most popular education option for school leavers, more and more students are considering apprenticeships that also result in a degree. More than 48,000 people started a higher or degree apprenticeship (or level 4-7 apprenticeship) in England in 2017-18, according to the latest Department for Education statistics, a 32% increase on the previous year.

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Update: Policy clarification - May 2026 As of 11 February 2025, the English and maths exit requirements are optional for apprentices who are aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship training. The funding rules set out more details. In exceptional circumstances, where English and maths is an essential component of any mandatory qualification, which forms part of the apprenticeship standard, it must be completed and evidenced prior to apprenticeship completion. Please refer to the Awarding Organisation to confirm this.Update: Policy change - 28th August 2025For new starts from 1 August 2025, the minimum duration has reduced to 8 months (from 12 months). This policy change supersedes any reference to12 month durations as currently set out in End-Point Assessment plans. For those apprentices that started before 1st August 2025, the 12 month minimum duration still applies.

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Further and higher education, skills and vocational training

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University and college qualifications. Apprenticeships, traineeships and internships. Funding for further education providers.

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An increasingly popular study option, apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification and earning a wage. They're available across a range of sectors, from accounting, business and law, to construction, engineering and transport.

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Learn more about apprenticeships including the different types, where to find them and how to apply

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How apprenticeships moved out of the workshop

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How apprenticeships moved out of the workshop

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Article in The Guardian - March 2018

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It is too early to say if the apprenticeship levy - a tax placed last April on large UK employers with a wage bill of £3m-plus - will affect the traditional popularity rankings for apprenticeships across all industry sectors. Much will depend on how employers spend the levy funds they claw back from the government to support apprenticeship provision.

Government figures for 2016-17 show the public sector (including health, public services and care) in first place (pdf). Other popular sectors include business, administration and law; retail and commercial enterprise; engineering and manufacturing; and construction.

Why are some sectors more popular than others? Traditionally, apprenticeships in engineering and construction have been recognised as solid career progression routes. Ann Watson, CEO of Semta - the engineering sector's employer-led skills body - says engineering apprenticeships have long been a "tried and tested, employer-backed and valued route into a rewarding and enjoyable career".

At its annual skills awards in March, young apprentice Pippa Dressler-Pearson won the Best of British Engineering award; she now promotes the apprenticeship route. "You won't be an apprentice forever, but when you come out the other side, you will really feel you have achieved so much," she says.

Watson adds that a preliminary survey of engineering apprentices last year showed 98% were happy with their career choice. She cites TUC research that 86% of engineering apprentices stay in the sector for at least five years after finishing - proof that employers really trust their apprentices and value the skills they have gained.

"Engineering apprenticeships are not stigmatised," says Teresa Frith, senior skills policy manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC). "You get really good buy-in from companies as there is a strong collaborative partnership between employers and providers in developing apprenticeships."

Andy Cheshire, managing director of independent training provider CQM Training & Consultancy, says the food and drinks industry, which accounts for about 85% of his company's client base, "has really embraced the new-style apprenticeships as a way to breed future talent in factories and supply chains.

"Within two or three years, young apprentices, starting at 18, can be technical operators, changing over production lines, monitoring all the throughputs, driving performance. It's a tremendous responsibility."

CQM, which won the 2017 Training Programme of the Year title at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards with its client, Bakkavor Hitchen Foods, has picked up a string of Young Talent of the Year awards over the years. Its secret? "We challenge our apprentices to make substantial improvements to the businesses they work in. We also work really hard to enable our employer clients to see us as an extension of their operation."

But it's not just the traditionally apprentice-friendly sectors that are embracing them. Radical changes both to how apprenticeships are funded, through the levy, and employers' sway over training standards have encouraged more apprenticeships to be created.

In fact, the range of apprenticeships on offer is mushrooming, given that only 15% of levy payers were taking on apprentices before the apprenticeship levy came into force, according to Mark Dawe, CEO of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers. "Employers ask how they can get their levy back through funding and start looking at their whole recruitment strategy. Could their new recruits and/or existing staff become apprentices?"

The finance sector is a case in point. "It had no apprenticeship tradition and yet has really worked together as a sector to develop a range of standards for different employment situations," says Frith.

Ben Murphy, head of Barclays' programme management for apprentices, points out that the bank has 700 apprentices, and records an 86% retention rate among its higher apprentices once qualified.

"We want to create a pathway to progression," he says. "We have a suite of apprenticeship programmes and aim to create a structure of succession planning within our apprenticeship community and also for internal colleagues. We want to offer equal opportunities for all."
Topics

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How apprenticeships moved out of the workshop

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It is too early to say if the apprenticeship levy - a tax placed last April on large UK employers with a wage bill of £3m-plus - will affect the traditional popularity rankings for apprenticeships across all industry sectors. Much will depend on how employers spend the levy funds they claw back from the government to support apprenticeship provision.

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Five Extra-Curricular Activities to Add to your CV

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Five Extra-Curricular Activities to Add to your CV

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Apprenticeships

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Becoming an apprentice is a step towards a real career path. Apprenticeships offer the chance to get paid whilst studying to gain a formal qualification plus valuable work experience at the same time. GC has lots of apprenticeships in a range of business sectors from IT, construction and engineering, to hairdressing, care and hospitality.

Why an apprenticeship might be the right career path for you

Here's what the national apprenticeship statistics have to say.

83% of apprentices say their career prospects had improved

Employers say that qualified apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications

A quarter of apprentices are promoted within 12 months of finishing their apprenticeship.

7 in 10 apprentices stay with the same employer

Higher apprentices can see increased earnings of around £150,000 over their lifetime.

At GC, 9 out of 10 apprentices stay with the same employer and nearly all apprentices were rewarded with pay rises, promotions or other employee benefits.

Explore all of our apprenticeships programmes below and apply today

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GC has lots of Apprenticeships across a range of business sectors.

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The government has created a new website Amazing Apprenticeships with lots of useful information and help in finding apprenticeships. See what apprenticeship vacancies are coming up soon with big international companies like Google.

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How To Choose What To Do After Sixth Form

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Exploring how to choose post-sixth form studies

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Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)

If you're looking for a job and are currently claiming Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), a SWAP can help you learn new skills, gain industry experience, and enhance your CV for free.

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If you're looking for a job and are currently claiming Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), a SWAP can help you learn new skills, gain industry experience, and enhance your CV for free.

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Search & apply for apprenticeships and school leaver jobs in the UK on RateMyApprenticeship. Read reviews on companies from previous apprentices and discover excellent career advice to help you achieve your dreams.

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UCAS Apprenticeships - Guide for Parents

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UCAS Apprenticeships - Guide for Parents

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As a parent, you should focus on providing all the support and reassurance you can. Make sure you're there to listen; it's the most important thing you can do.

Be positive and supportive: Remember, there's no need to rush into a decision. It's okay to take a step back and figure it all out. Give reassurance, stay calm and remain positive.

Get clued up: Learning about the path your child is interested in can help them have confidence in their next steps. Take a look at our resources below as a starting point.

Help them explore: Helping your child make their next steps is all about finding the right path for them. If they're interested in an apprenticeship, help them find the information they need. But you might also want to take them to university open days and encourage them to do a UCAS application too so they can keep their options open.

Help them prepare: Help with their CV, cover letter, and any interview prep. You might also be able to help or encourage them secure work experience, volunteering, or an internship which can make their application stand out.

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Parent and guardian guide to apprenticeships

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As a parent, you should focus on providing all the support and reassurance you can. Make sure you're there to listen; it's the most important thing you can do. Be positive and supportive: Remember, there's no need to rush into a decision. It's okay to take a step back and figure it all out.