Apprenticeships have changed significantly over the last decade. What was once seen mainly as a route into trades and manual work is now a genuinely competitive pathway into law, engineering, accounting, technology, healthcare, finance and dozens of other fields. Some of the UK's largest employers, including PwC, Rolls-Royce, the NHS and Google, run apprenticeship programmes that receive more applications than their graduate schemes.
Despite this, many students and parents still have an outdated picture of what an apprenticeship involves. This guide covers everything: how they work, the different levels available, what you get paid, who offers them, how to apply and how to work out whether an apprenticeship is the right next step for you.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job with structured training built in. You work for an employer, typically four days a week, and spend the remaining time in off-the-job training which might be at a college, a university or delivered by a training provider. At the end, you achieve a recognised qualification. The whole thing is funded by the government and your employer, which means you earn a wage and gain a qualification without taking on the debt that comes with a traditional full-time course.
Apprenticeships must last at least twelve months. Most take between one and four years depending on the level and the specific programme. During your apprenticeship, you are a real employee with a real employment contract. You are entitled to holiday pay, sick pay and all standard employment rights.
The four levels of apprenticeship
Intermediate Apprenticeship
Equivalent in level to five GCSEs at grade A to C (or 4 to 9). Entry requirements are typically some GCSEs including English and Maths. Usually takes twelve to eighteen months. Common in sectors like retail, hospitality, construction and business administration.
Advanced Apprenticeship
Equivalent in level to two A-Levels. Entry requirements typically include five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths. Usually takes one to two years. Available in a wide range of sectors including engineering, IT, business, healthcare and digital marketing. This is the level most commonly pursued after GCSEs as an alternative to sixth form.
Higher Apprenticeship
Equivalent in level to a foundation degree or HNC/HND. Typically entered after A-Levels or an advanced apprenticeship. Available in fields such as accounting, project management, engineering and digital technology. Usually takes two to three years. Leads to a qualification equivalent to the first two years of a university degree.
Degree Apprenticeship
The most significant development in apprenticeships over the past decade. Combines full-time employment with studying for a full bachelor's or master's degree. Your employer pays your university tuition fees in full, so you graduate debt-free. You earn a salary throughout. Available in engineering, law, nursing, accounting, digital technology, architecture and many other fields. Usually takes three to six years. Genuinely competitive at top employers.
What do apprentices get paid?
All apprentices are legally entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices if they are under 19 or in the first year of their programme. Once they are 19 or older and have completed their first year, the standard National Minimum Wage for their age applies.
In practice, the minimum is a floor, not a ceiling. Many employers, particularly in finance, technology and engineering, pay apprentices significantly more than the legal minimum from day one. Higher and degree apprenticeship salaries at large organisations can be comparable to graduate starting salaries in some sectors. The UCAS website and the government's apprenticeship finder tool both show the salary range for specific programmes.
A degree apprenticeship at a leading employer offers the same university qualification as going to university directly, plus three to six years of relevant work experience, zero tuition fee debt and a salary throughout. It is not a consolation prize for students who did not get into university. The most sought-after degree apprenticeship programmes at firms like Deloitte, PwC, Dyson and the NHS receive thousands of applications for a small number of places.
Who offers apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are available across almost every sector of the economy. Employers range from small local businesses to the largest organisations in the country. Some of the fields with strong apprenticeship provision include engineering and manufacturing, digital technology and cyber security, finance and accounting, law, healthcare and nursing, architecture and construction, business and management, and media and marketing.
Large employers with well-known apprenticeship programmes include Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, BT, Google, the BBC, the NHS, the Civil Service, Goldman Sachs and many more. Smaller employers also offer excellent programmes, often with more direct experience and responsibility from the outset.
Apprenticeship vs university: how to think about it
Earn while you learn from day one. Gain real work experience alongside your qualification. No tuition fee debt for higher and degree apprenticeships. Structured career progression within an employer. Less flexibility in what you study than at university. Competition for top programmes can be intense.
Broader academic experience and more subject flexibility. Three or four years to develop knowledge before working full-time. Student loan debt for most students. Wider social experience and independence. Better recognised entry route for some careers such as Medicine. More time before committing to a specific employer or sector.
Neither route is objectively better. The right one depends on how you learn best, what sector you are heading into, whether you have a clear idea of what you want to do and how you feel about taking on debt versus earning straight away. Many students who would thrive at university would equally thrive in a well-chosen apprenticeship, and vice versa. The decision is worth making deliberately rather than by default.
Who is an apprenticeship most likely to suit?
Apprenticeships tend to work well for students who learn better in practical, real-world settings than in purely academic ones. They suit people who have a reasonably clear sense of the sector they want to work in, who are motivated by earning and building professional experience alongside their training, and who would find the financial reality of student debt a significant concern.
They can be particularly attractive for students who are drawn to careers in technology, engineering, finance, healthcare or business, where employers have invested heavily in developing strong apprenticeship pathways that lead directly into permanent roles.
They are less likely to be the right fit for students who want a broad academic experience before deciding on a career direction, or for those heading into fields where a specific university degree remains the standard entry route, such as Medicine, Law at the Bar or academia.
How to find and apply for apprenticeships
The government's official apprenticeship finder at findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk lists thousands of current vacancies across England, searchable by location, sector and level. This is the most comprehensive source and is free to use. Many large employers also advertise directly on their own websites and through UCAS.
Applications for higher and degree apprenticeships at competitive employers often open significantly earlier than you might expect, sometimes twelve to eighteen months before the start date. If you are in Year 12 and interested in a degree apprenticeship starting the September after your A-Levels, you may need to be applying in the autumn or winter of Year 12. Check deadlines carefully and do not assume you can leave it until after your results.
The application process for competitive apprenticeships typically involves an online application form, online assessments such as numerical and verbal reasoning tests, a video or telephone interview, an assessment centre and a final interview. Many of the same skills that help with university applications, such as a clear articulation of why you want this specific role and evidence of relevant qualities and experiences, are just as important here.
What makes a strong apprenticeship application?
Employers assessing apprenticeship applications are looking for evidence that you understand what the role involves, that you have some relevant experience or genuine interest in the sector, that you can work in a professional environment and that you have the personal qualities the role requires. This is similar to what universities want from a Personal Statement, but with a stronger emphasis on workplace readiness.
Work experience, even something informal, is valuable. If you are applying for an engineering apprenticeship, any experience of making things, coding, problem-solving in a practical context or involvement in a STEM club strengthens your application. If you are applying for a finance apprenticeship, familiarity with how financial markets or businesses work, reading around the subject or any relevant volunteering all help.
Prepare thoroughly for any aptitude tests. Employers use these to screen large numbers of applicants efficiently and a weak test score can end an otherwise strong application before it reaches the interview stage. There are many free practice resources available online for numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning tests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do an apprenticeship after A-Levels?
Yes. Higher and degree apprenticeships are specifically designed for students with A-Levels or equivalent qualifications. Many of the most competitive programmes at major employers are aimed at exactly this group.
Do I have to pay for an apprenticeship?
No. Apprenticeships are funded by the government and your employer. You do not pay tuition fees. For degree apprenticeships, your employer covers your full university costs.
Can I leave an apprenticeship if it is not right for me?
Yes. An apprenticeship is an employment contract and you can give notice in the same way as any employee. Leaving an apprenticeship early means you would not receive the qualification, but it does not close off other options. Speak to your employer and training provider if you are finding things difficult before deciding to leave.
Are apprenticeships only available in England?
Apprenticeships exist across the UK but the system works slightly differently in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This guide focuses on the English system. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check the relevant national guidance for your country.
What if I want to go to university later after an apprenticeship?
Completing an apprenticeship does not close the door to university. Many apprentices go on to further study, including degree-level qualifications, later in their careers. Some higher apprenticeships also carry UCAS points that can support future university applications.
