Advanced, Higher or Degree Apprenticeships

What are these apprenticeships?

An apprenticeship is a real job with training. You are employed by a company, get paid a salary and are entitled to paid holidays. You learn from people already in the workplace, and you study part-time for qualifications that are relevant to your job.

If you are doing A Levels or other Level 3 qualifications, like a BTEC or a T Level, an apprenticeship can be a good route when you finish – especially if you want training for a specific job sector and want to be earning at the same time.

Level 3 to 7from A Level standard up to a master’s degree
No tuition feesyour employer and the government pay for your training
80% / 20%working in your job / study time
1 to 6 yearsdepending on the level

The three levels

Advanced Apprenticeship

Level 3 – equivalent to A Levels

If you do not have job-specific experience you might start here, even if you already have A Levels – although you might be able to complete it more quickly.

Higher Apprenticeship

Level 4 and above

Equivalent to an HNC, a Foundation Degree or a degree, depending on the level. Takes between one and five years. You are more likely to study at a college or training provider.

Degree Apprenticeship

Level 6 or 7

You gain a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree as part of the apprenticeship. Takes between three and six years. You study part-time with a university – on day release, in blocks or online.

What sort of jobs?

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are now available in every industry sector. Some examples are:

Cyber Security Analyst
Police Constable
Nurse Associate
Chartered Manager
Civil Engineer
Social Worker

Professional qualifications, for example in law or accountancy, can also be included.

What are the benefits?

No tuition fees
Earn while you learn
Develop real skills through doing the actual job
Get time to study for a nationally recognised qualification
Get paid holidays and other employee benefits
Build skills like teamwork and time management

How much will I earn?

In the first year of an apprenticeship the National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £8 per hour (2026 rate). If you are 19 or over and have completed your first year, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for your age. Many employers pay more than this, so check each vacancy.

How is it assessed?

At the end of your training you take an end point assessment to show the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have learned. You will have a mentor from your college or training provider to support you until you are ready.

Things to think about

Vacancies are advertised throughout the year and the closing dates vary. So if you are undecided between an apprenticeship and university, it is probably best to apply for university as well as look for apprenticeship vacancies. If you get an apprenticeship you can always decline your university offer.
Check an apprenticeship is available in the sector you want. Not all sectors offer Higher Apprenticeships, and you still need to find a vacancy.
For some jobs there is no apprenticeship pathway and a university degree is the only way in – for example vet or doctor. Check the job profiles in Explore Jobs.
They can be highly competitive and hard to find, so always have a Plan B.
You might need to travel or move, as some are only available in specific areas or through particular universities.
You may need to start at a lower level to build up your technical knowledge of the work.

Things to weigh up

An apprenticeship and a full-time university course are different experiences. Think about what matters to you:

An apprenticeship trains you for a specific job role, so you need to be happy that it is the job you want to do.
You will be an employee, with more responsibility and shorter holidays than a full-time student.
You will not have the full-time university student experience, but you will be earning and building work experience.
You may be working with people who are a lot older than you.

Find an apprenticeship and apply

How to apply: You apply to the employer, just like applying for a job. Search for vacancies on the government’s “Find an apprenticeship” service, on UCAS and on employers’ own websites. Each vacancy has its own closing date. You can apply for apprenticeships and university courses at the same time.

Tips for applying

Check your application carefully. Spelling mistakes and poor punctuation make you stand out for the wrong reasons.
Sell yourself. Say why you are interested in the role and what skills you have. Your Skills Profile will give you evidence of your skills.
Match your skills to the vacancy. Look in detail at what the employer is looking for.
Include all your contact details, use a sensible email address, and answer your phone and messages.
Think about your social media. Employers can look at what you post publicly, so check your privacy settings.

Not sure? Talk to a careers adviser, or get advice from people who know you well, like parents, carers and teachers.

What you will learn on this page: