The world of apprenticeships:
a student’s guide
What is an apprenticeship? Apprenticeships have been around a long time and many employers already recruit apprentices, but recently there’s been a big growth of higher and degree apprenticeships. The introduction of Apprenticeship Standards have started to replace the current Apprenticeship Framework, and now for larger organisations, funding is provided through the Apprenticeship Levy (a company tax) in order to train current and future workforces. The government has pledged to create 3 million apprenticeships across all levels by 2020.* With a degree apprenticeship you learn professional skills, progress your career, earn a wage and achieve a full degree; getting to graduate with cap and gown along with traditional degree students without having to pay any of the tuition fees. You will spend 20 per cent of your time on work-based learning with Bucks New University, whether that be through day release at the University, residential, blended or distance (online) learning and a minimum of 30 hours a week working at the company providing the apprenticeship.
How an apprenticeship could benefit you You have a real job with a real employer You are paid a salary You gain qualifications and experience You have a Contract of Employment, holiday, sick pay You have support from a training provider You gain one to four years of entry requirements and qualifications
£ Completing a higher apprenticeship could increase future earnings by £150,000 over their lifetime.**
83%
77%
83% of apprentices said their career prospects have improved.**
77% believe apprenticeships make them more competitive in the job market.**
Levels Traineeships Intermediate Apprenticeship
Advanced Apprenticeship
Higher/Degree Apprenticeship
Level 2
Level 3
Levels 4,5,6 and 7
skills, knowledge and competencies * Information and statistics from gov.uk ** Data complied by the National Apprenticeship Service
Entry requirements and qualifications Entry requirements depend on the sector and prior skills. If you have achieved A-levels you may still be expected to start at intermediate or advanced level as some sectors, such as engineering, require you to build up your occupational skills. In general Level 2 (Intermediate Apprenticeship) and Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship) applicants need to be over 16 years old and show they have the ability to complete the programme. Some industries want apprentices who have three or more GCSEs, but other employers don’t specify any formal qualifications. Some may ask for previous experience in the industry. Check the apprenticeship vacancy for grades and specific subjects. Intermediate (Level 2) - generally considered to be equivalent to five GCSE passes. Advanced (Level 3) - generally considered to be equivalent to two A-level passes. In general entry for Level 4 (Higher Apprenticeship) can include at least five GCSEs, grades A-C, and Level 3 qualifications, including A-levels, NVQ/ SVQ Level 3, or a BTEC National. Some employers will expect, or require, applicants to have subjects related to the particular apprenticeship. Check the apprenticeship vacancy for grades and specific subjects. Higher (Level 4) - equivalent to HNC, a foundation degree or the first year of an undergraduate degree. Entry for Levels 5 - 7 (Higher Apprenticeships) can include at least five GCSEs grades A-C, and Level 3 qualifications, including A-levels, NVQ/SVQ Level 3, or a BTEC National. Some employers have specific entry requirements. For example, recent IT degree apprenticeship adverts have required an A-level (or equivalent) grade range of ABB to CCC. Many employers will expect or require applicants to have subjects related to the particular apprenticeship. Check the apprenticeship vacancy for grades and specific subjects. Higher (Levels 5 and 6) - equivalent to a full degree. Higher (Level 7) - equivalent to a master’s degree. Degree Levels 5-7 are new and enable apprentices to achieve a full bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of their apprenticeship.
Tuition fees Higher and degree apprenticeships offer all the benefits of higher education with none of the cost. You will not only be learning, but earning a salary, from day one. So with a higher or degree apprenticeship, you’re much less likely to build up any debt. Your tuition fees are paid for by your employer and the Government, so you will not be expected to pay £9,000 a year. You can also apply for the NUS Apprentice Extra Card and enjoy some student discounts through: apprenticeextra.co.uk. However you may need to consider the additional living costs such as moving away from home or commuting. In the past, going to university was seen as the best way to advance your career to a higher level. But with the current level of competition for jobs amongst graduates, it might not be the best route for you. With an apprenticeship, you gain the competitive advantage of gaining at least three years’ work experience whilst completing your degree. But remember - it’s hard work as a degree apprentice. You’ll be working full-time and fitting in the equivalent of a full-time degree alongside it. It might take a bit longer, four years instead of three, but you’ll achieve exactly the same degree. • • • •
An aerospace engineering apprentice at BAE Systems UK can earn £21,971 per year. A higher accountancy apprentice can earn over £13,000 per year. A software engineer apprentice can earn £14,500 per year. You could potentially earn upwards of £300 per week plus your employer and the government pay your tuition fees, meaning no university loans for you.*
Is a higher or degree apprenticeship right for you? If you’re not sure whether an apprenticeship is right for you, you can continue to apply for university courses via UCAS while you look at other career and higher education options such as higher and degree apprenticeships. Visit careerfinder.ucas.com/jobs - it’s free to register your interest on the programme and once you have set up your account, you can apply for apprenticeships job roles and manage your university applications online at the same time.
If you are thinking about pursuing a particular career and want to start working straight away, then an apprenticeship course is ideal for you. Higher and degree apprenticeships attract a high caliber of candidate, because employers are looking for people with the potential to be the managers of the future. You could already be working and want a career change - there is no upper age limit for higher or degree apprentice students.
How to apply for an apprenticeship To become an apprentice you need to apply for a job with an employer who is offering a higher or degree apprentice opportunity. See our pdf ‘preparing for apprenticeship applications’. Bucks New University are talking to employers all the time about creating apprenticeship opportunities, so also keep an eye on our website as we will be advertising apprenticeships being delivered at Bucks in partnership with local employers. You can also visit the government website to search for apprenticeships in your area: findapprenticeship. service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch. If you already have a job and want to progress your career, you can talk to your employer about the possibilities of providing an apprenticeship. We will be happy to come and meet them and discuss the apprenticeship options available including funding. However, you should be studying or training for a new or different role, rather than just receiving professional development for the job you’re already doing. There is no upper age limit. Higher and degree apprenticeships can be offered to anyone over the age of 19.
Why a Bucks New University Apprenticeship? At Bucks New University we change lives through employment-focused teaching which enables our students to achieve their ambitions. We offer high quality, professionally-driven university courses, in everything from art, design and creativity to business, or human performance and sport to pilot training. We are now able to offer a range of apprenticeship pathways from Level 2 right through to Level 7 thanks to our partnerships with other training providers including Aylesbury College and Bucks University Technical College, collectively known as BEST (Buckinghamshire Education, Skills and Training). At Bucks we have a history of excellence in healthcare education. Our wide range of courses gives students the opportunity to specialise in different areas of interest.
The Assistant Practitioner (Health) Higher Apprenticeship builds on our outstanding history of partnership with the healthcare sector, and increasing numbers of the course graduates have gained entrance on professional nursing programmes. In addition to the healthcare sector, we continue to work with our existing industry partners, providing a full range of study options to support their staff training requirements as well as developing a growing range of higher and degree apprenticeships needs. “We are excited to work with employers to provide more people with access to higher education through our ‘earn as you learn’ alternative to our traditional degree programme.” Professor Rebecca Bunting Vice-Chancellor
Our Apprenticeship Courses Bucks New University is working with employers to offer the following apprenticeship opportunities: • • • • •
Assistant Practitioner (Health) Level 5 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Associate Project Manager Higher Apprenticeship Professional Accounting / Tax technician Higher Apprenticeship Product Design and Development Engineer/ Manufacturing Engineer.
Please refer to our website for more information bucks.ac.uk/apprenticeships. We are also developing the following higher and degree apprenticeships: • • • • • •
Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Academic Professional Police Officer Nurse Associate Registered Nurse Production Manager.
LOCATIONS Buckingham
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AYLESBURY VALE
AYLESBURY VALE
Aylesbury
MISSENDEN ABBEY
Great Missenden
WYCOMBE
CHILTERN Amersham
High Wycombe
SOUTH BUCKS Uxbridge
MIDDLESEX
HIGH WYCOMBE CAMPUS
UXBRIDGE CAMPUS
High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ
BucksNewUni
University Campus Aylesbury Vale
BucksNewUni
Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QG
BucksNewUni
Uxbridge Campus
@BucksNewUni
BucksNewUniversity bucks.ac.uk
106 Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex, UB8 1NA Missenden Abbey London Road Great Missenden Buckinghamshire, HP16 0BD Telephone: 01296 744 202
For more information visit:
Fax: 01494 524 392 International: +44 1494 605 259
bucks.ac.uk/apprenticeships
This information is accurate at the time of going to press. © Buckinghamshire New University 2017
12/17
Email: apprenticeships@bucks.ac.uk