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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide Over 3,500 degree apprenticeships available for students leaving school or sixth form college in the summer of 2026 .
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Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide Contents
Welcome to The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships .. . . . ..... 4 What is a degree apprenticeship? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... 8 Applying for degree apprenticeships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. 16 The ‘earn as you learn’ route to a debt-free university degree . . . . ..... 6
Degree apprenticeships can be life-changing . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 20
Accounting
Business & Management
Banking & Finance
27
39
45
Engineering
Law
Technology
51
59
67
Employer Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................. 73 A&O Shearman
Sellafield Slaughter and May TfL Unilever White & Case
KPMG Lidl Mondelēz
Forvis Mazars Grant Thornton IBM JPMorganChase Kier
Barclays Capgemini Deloitte Dyson E.ON EY
AECOM Arcadis
PwC RSM
AtkinsRealis BAE Systems BAM
A-Z of Degree Apprenticeship Employers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... 129
The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships is published annually by High Fliers Publications The Gridiron Building, 1 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG 020 7428 9000 DegreeApprenticeships.Guide Editor Martin Birchall Publisher Zoe Gordon Production & 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 ’m really pleased to introduce you to The Sixth Formers’ Guide to Degree Apprenticeships , the essential guide for sixth form students, parents and careers advisers at schools and colleges. Every young person in the UK deserves to have professionals, tech companies are equipping young people with advanced digital skills, and the construction sector is developing a workforce with sustainability at its core. Employers get the vital skills they need, and you get to start your career with
the confidence that comes from learning and earning. That’s why we’ve made degree apprenticeships a key part of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) – our plan to give young people a clear route into good jobs in our fastest-growing sectors. While the MBacc is rooted in Greater Manchester, the principle applies everywhere: every young person should have a pathway that links their education to the careers of the future. The Sixth Former’s Guide to Degree Apprenticeships shows
a clear line of sight to a good job. For some, that will mean university. For others, it will mean technical routes, or a blend of both. Degree apprenticeships bring these options together, giving you the chance to study for a degree or professional qualification while gaining real-world experience at the same time. They’re one of the best ways to get job-ready: you gain the skills employers need, a recognised qualification, and a salary from day one. At a time when sectors like digital, engineering, health and social care and the
Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester
what degree apprenticeships offer, from real stories and employer examples, to tips on how to apply. If you’re reading this, unsure of what to do next, I’d urge you to keep an open mind and explore all that’s on offer. Degree apprenticeships can be a first-class route into a great career.
green economy are in high demand for new talent, degree apprenticeships give you the opportunity to stand out. In Greater Manchester we’re already seeing the difference that degree apprenticeships can make. The NHS is training the next generation of health
4 Degree Apprenticeships
“
Launched a decade ago, they are work-based programmes, typically lasting three to five years, provided by employers in many of the most popular business sectors & industries – such as accountancy, law, engineering, technology and healthcare. They can unlock a different route to graduate-level employment. They are open to all sixth-form students across the country. Entry requirements vary depending on the employer and the programmes on offer, just as they do for university degrees. Everyone’s next step is their own to take. You have both academic options and a wide range of vocational ones, including Higher Technical Qualifications and different levels of apprenticeships, which could be right for you. Whether academic, vocational, or work-based, choose the path that lets you take your best next step. ” 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 industry 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. If you learn best by doing, want to start earning straight away, or have a clear career interest, an apprenticeship could be the right fit for you. All apprentices earn at least the apprentice minimum wage, although many employers pay more. You’re not just a student— you’re an employee with a proper contract, holiday entitlement, and other employee rights and benefits. With the huge range of different occupations and professions available, there is sure to be an apprenticeship for you. ”
Degree apprenticeships are an increasingly sought-after option for sixth-formers considering their next steps. If you don’t think a traditional university degree is right for you, degree apprenticeships can be a life-changing opportunity. In recent years, I have seen awareness and interest in vocational pathways such as degree apprenticeships grow. Insight from over 330,000 young people last year found that awareness of apprenticeships is now almost on a par with that of academic pathways. University may feel like the expected next move, but expectation should never narrow your horizon. Some of you may want to continue studying full-time for another three or four years. Others might worry that while they want to do an apprenticeship or vocational pathway, not having a university degree could hold their apprenticeships available across a range of industries and sectors. Degree apprenticeships allow you to ‘earn as you learn’ and achieve a degree from some of our best universities. With a degree apprenticeship, you’ll earn the same qualification as a full-time university student—but you will gain years of industry experience. You’ll be working on real projects, earning a salary, and gaining financial independence from the start. Degree apprentices “ If you’re doing well with your A-level studies, university might seem like the default choice. But apprenticeships offer an exciting alternative that lets you earn money, gain real-world experience, and work towards a qualification. And degree level apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity to combine degree-level study with being in a job and earning from day one. There’s a wide range of professional careers you can begin through an apprenticeship, with over 100 undergraduate-level
Kate Ridley -Pepper Director of Work-Based Skills
Department for Work & Pensions
put their training into practice straight away in the workplace and build vital experience on their CVs. In some careers, it is not always possible to secure a degree-level apprenticeship straight after school—they can be extremely
John Yarham Chief Executive Officer The Careers & Enterprise Company
career back in the future. That’s where degree apprenticeships can come in.
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
1 6 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 1 7
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
1 8 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 1 9
Degree Apprenticeships The Sixth Formers’ Guide
Doing a degree apprenticeship can be life-changing Faheem Khan, Founder & Chief Executive of Future Leaders UK, is a passionate advocate for how degree apprenticeships offer a gateway to success for all students, irrespective of background. D egree apprenticeships are reshaping opportunities for young people. They provide a route to earn, learn, and gain real experience – opening doors that and a future built on confidence rather than debt. At Future Leaders UK we work with young people who have the talent and drive to succeed, but not always the networks, knowledge or belief to see how far they can go. Many tell us that university feels out of reach because of cost, pressure to earn, or a lack of guidance on navigating the journey after school. Degree apprenticeships are changing that picture, many students from disadvantaged backgrounds once thought were closed. For thousands of school and college-leavers this pathway is more than a qualification – it is a lifeline to aspiration, stability,
20 Degree Apprenticeships
ethnic minority backgrounds, almost half have received free school meals – which is nearly twice the national average – and two-thirds are female. They are bright, capable, and ambitious. Our role is to give them the guidance to navigate competitive applications and the belief that they belong in the careers, professions and occupations they are entering. Ananna Islam completed the Future Leaders UK programme in 2024 and is now in her second year of an engineering degree apprenticeship at WSP. “Taking part in Future Leaders played a huge role
giving young people the chance to secure a degree, build a career, and earn a salary from day one. Our programme has grown from just fifty students in East London in 2019 to more than 15,000 young people supported each year nationwide. We prepare them for the world of work through personal development, employability training, and direct employer exposure. A year-long programme of workshops, mentoring, and insight days help students develop professional skills, understand different roles, and build the confidence to step into professional environments with pride.
in helping me secure my degree apprenticeship,” she explains. “The confidence‑building workshops taught me how to present myself professionally and communicate my strengths effectively. The apprentice panel and interview preparation sessions gave me a clear
Future Leaders UK has grown into a national movement with physical hubs in London, the West Midlands, Bristol, Sheffield, and Manchester, and we support young people across the UK through our online programme. We are proud to collaborate with employers across a range
I’m doing real work, applying my new skills and I’m thriving both professionally and socially.
understanding of what employers look for and helped me feel fully prepared for my assessment day.” Islam chose the degree apprenticeship at WSP because it offered a good balance between studying and gaining hands-on engineering experience in industry. “Being able to apply what I learn at university directly to real projects has accelerated my development,” she says. “And networking with other professionals and earning a salary while working toward my degree has made it even more rewarding.”
of industries, including Amazon, HSBC, KPMG, BT Group, Leonardo, CBRE, Bechtel and the Civil Service – and our impact has been recognised nationally with the British Diversity Award, the UK Parliament Award, and by the Department for Education. For the young people we support, degree apprenticeships do more than open doors to careers. They change how a young person sees themselves. Many come from communities where professional environments feel unfamiliar. Four-fifths of the young people we support identify as being from
Degree Apprenticeships 21
motivated talent who are committed to developing with the organisation. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, digital skills, and a strong desire to make an impact. With the right support, they grow into confident professionals who strengthen teams and stay for the long term. My work on the Future Leaders UK programme is very personal to me. I immigrated from Pakistan at the age of 11, from a working-class background, and I know what it feels like to walk into rooms where no one looks or sounds like you. Early on I learned how inequality shapes confidence and choice. After 18 years of working as a teacher, I founded Future Leaders UK because I never wanted young people to shrink themselves in spaces where they deserve to stand tall. I wanted to build a pathway that shows them they belong, their voice matters, and their background is a source of strength. Talent is everywhere, and it is our job to ensure that opportunity is as well. By widening access to degree apprenticeships, we can turn potential into progress for thousands more young people – and build a future where life-changing success is shared by all.
Jacob Slater is another recent Future Leaders UK participant and is embarking on a degree apprenticeship in commercial banking at HSBC. “I strongly believe that I would not have been enrolled in my degree apprenticeship without the support of Future Leaders,” he says. “The programme gave me the confidence and self‑belief to apply to such competitive, prestigious apprenticeships. Choosing the apprenticeship over university wasn’t an easy decision, but it gave me certainty about my future employment in a way university couldn’t guarantee.” At Amazon, Roshan Arora has just started a data analyst degree apprenticeship, having finished the Future Leaders UK programme earlier in 2025. “My experiences at Future Leaders really helped me get a sneak peek into the professional world,” he explains. “It taught me what it would be like working in a corporate setting, helped me build connections and develop confidence. In the end, I chose a degree apprenticeship over university because learning while working really appealed to me. One month in, I’m doing real work, applying my new skills and I’m thriving both professionally and socially.” For employers like Amazon, HSBC and WSP, degree apprenticeships create a pipeline of diverse,
22 Degree Apprenticeships
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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, RSM, Stantec, Shell, TUI, Unilever, Zenopa
Degree Apprenticeships 27
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
28 Degree Apprenticeships
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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