What are the different types of apprenticeships?

There are many types of apprenticeship. Degree apprenticeships, on completion, result in the awarding of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Name Level Educational equivalent Intermediate 2 5 GCSE passes Advanced 3 2 A-level passes Higher 4, 5, 6 and 7 Higher National Certificate (HNC) and above. These include a number of apprenticeships at levels 6 and 7 that do not result in the awarding of a degree. Degree 6 and 7 Bachelor's or master's degree

How does a Degree Apprenticeship work?

A Degree Apprenticeship allows your employee to gain a degree, while still working. They will spend four days a week at work and one day a week studying (on-campus or online). They will complete the lessons and assessments they need for a degree during this time.

What is a Degree Apprenticeship and who are the apprentices?

A Degree Apprenticeship combines work with higher-level learning. The apprentice works for an employer, but spends at least 6 hours per week studying. Degree Apprentices are aged 18 or over, they can be new or current employees.

What if I need to make a complaint?

You can find our complaints procedure and policy for employers of apprentices on our complaints procedure webpage.

Hire an apprentice

Our Degree Apprenticeships are tailored to meet industry needs. Courses are taught by experts and informed by the latest knowledge. We focus on building real-world skills, which apprentices can apply to your business.

Apprentices will spend four days a week at your business and one day a week on-campus. You can hire an apprentice or upskill an existing employee.

Explore our courses

Want to hire an apprentice?

A candidate being interviewed at our Spark event.

We can help

Our Apprenticeship Matching Service will help you with hiring the perfect apprentice for your role. We'll provide you with support throughout the full recruitment process.

You can also attend our SPARK event to meet and interview potential candidates. We have a huge bank of talent available.

Employer's guide to apprenticeships

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Why choose us?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships. We have worked with thousands of employers from a range of industries. This includes BAE, Network Rail, Royal Mail and the NHS.

We provide extensive support to employers. Our team will be on hand throughout, from helping you hire an apprentice, to the onboarding process.

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Hiring an apprentice has made a huge difference to the dynamic and attitude. It is fantastic to have another person, with a completely different way of thinking, to challenge the traditional way of doing things.

Richard Singleton

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Subcontracting partners

We use subcontractors in certain subject areas. This allows us to provide the best service possible, by partnering with specialist providers.

The University will also subcontract the delivery of English and Maths functional skills where an individual does not already hold or cannot demonstrate that they hold the qualifications in these subjects required by the ESFA funding rules.

Selection and procurement of subcontractors will be carried out in accordance with the University's Procurement Code. Where any element of the programme, including English and Maths, is subcontracted to the employer or another provider, they must be either a Main or Supporting Provider on ESFA’s register of Apprentice Training Providers or a registered Employer Provider.

The use of delivery subcontractors is agreed with employers prior to the commencement of the apprenticeship programme.

As the main provider of an apprenticeship, the University will provide governance and quality assurance for all delivery under the apprenticeship, including delivery by subcontractors. The approval and oversight of any apprenticeship subcontractors is managed via the University's existing quality management processes. All subcontractors have a contractual relationship with the University and are required to undergo rigorous quality assurance processes and remain compliant with the ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules. The contract between the University and the subcontractor provides transparency as to the costs of the subcontracted delivery and is available for review by the ESFA as required.

The University does not charge a management fee when subcontracting apprenticeship training provision.

The University declares subcontractor arrangements to the ESFA as required and where subcontracting activity exceeds £100,000 annually, the University will obtain an independent auditors’ report.

The University’s current subcontracting partners are:

Training 2000 Limited - for delivery of functional skills
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria - for delivery of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
The Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary - for delivery of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

Funding and the Apprenticeship Levy

Find out more about the funding available and Apprenticeship Levy.

Frequently asked questions

There are many types of apprenticeship. Degree apprenticeships, on completion, result in the awarding of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

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Name	Level	Educational equivalent
Intermediate	2	5 GCSE passes
Advanced	3	2 A-level passes
Higher	4, 5, 6 and 7	Higher National Certificate (HNC) and above. These include a number of apprenticeships at levels 6 and 7 that do not result in the awarding of a degree.
Degree	6 and 7	Bachelor's or master's degree

A Higher Apprenticeship is a qualification at Level 4 or 5, while a Degree Apprenticeship is a full bachelor’s degree at Level 6. Our Degree Apprenticeships take between three and six years to complete (depending on the level of study). We align each course with nationally recognised Apprenticeship Standards. These outline the skills and proficiencies learners will gain. As well as the career path they'll be qualified to follow after completion.

Our portfolio of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships is growing all the time. Together with Training 2000 we now offer a comprehensive range of apprenticeships. From Level 2 right through to Level 7, with clear pathways between qualifications.

Whatever level your employees are at, and whatever your business needs are, we’re the place to go for high-quality training. Our programmes will help your employees and your organisation to grow and develop.

Our standard start dates for Degree Apprenticeship programmes are January, March, May, September and November. Our standard lead time required from initial discussions with your organisation to your employees starting an apprenticeship with us is usually three months before the course start date.

We can assist in the delivery of English and Maths functional skills where an individual does not already hold the qualifications in these subjects required by the ESFA funding rules.

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Apprenticeships for employers

Explore our courses

Want to hire an apprentice?

We can help

Benefits of hiring an apprentice

Why choose us?

Apprenticeship stories

Subcontracting partners

Funding and the Apprenticeship Levy

Frequently asked questions

Find out more

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree Apprenticeship A-Z

Apprenticeships for employers

Explore our courses

Want to hire an apprentice?

We can help

Benefits of hiring an apprentice

New ideas

Fill skill gaps

Invest in your workforce

Futureproof your business

Financial support

Training 2000

Why choose us?

Apprenticeship stories

Subcontracting partners

Funding and the Apprenticeship Levy

Frequently asked questions

What are the different types of apprenticeships?

What is the difference between a Higher and Degree Apprenticeship?

How does a Degree Apprenticeship work?

What is a Degree Apprenticeship and who are the apprentices?

What if my employee lacks the required qualifications in mathematics or English to apply?

What if I need to make a complaint?

Find out more

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree Apprenticeship A-Z