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Demystifying Degree Apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships can offer the best of both worlds for employers and employees alike – combining university study and practical workplace learning.

Despite the huge success of degree apprenticeships, many businesses don’t know enough about how they work. What’s involved? What are the benefits to the business and the individual? And how much does it cost? 

Northumbria University is keen to demystify all of this, and to partner with businesses looking to provide a tailored, practical and affordable solution to their people development…

An overview

An alternative to full time university study, these Level 6 and Level 7 programmes are equivalent to an undergraduate or master’s degree. They involve part-time study alongside work and take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level.

Degree apprentices themselves can range from new starters through to senior managers, looking to gain both core, transferable skills – such as project management, problem solving and leadership – as well as subject or sector-specific technical skills. 

Suitable for organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to multinational corporations, degree apprenticeships provide practical and relevant skills and knowledge that can be applied immediately in the workplace. 

The key benefits for businesses

As part-time study runs alongside continued work, the organisation retains the person – and their knowledge, expertise and resource – within the business, whilst they acquire their degree apprenticeship or higher apprenticeship qualification. The learning provided is based directly on work-related situations, so apprentices contribute to an organisation’s performance, even when they’re at university. 

Degree apprenticeships support and enable career progression, in turn improving staff retention rates and avoiding unnecessary recruitment. By supporting individuals to develop in this way over several years, people remain motivated and committed for the long-term. 

Perhaps most importantly, degree apprenticeships deliver well-trained, highly skilled employees who can add significant value, both directly and through their ability to coach, mentor and train others.

The costs

Degree apprenticeships are surprisingly affordable – fully funded by the apprenticeship levy, if you have an annual salary bill of £3m+. If your annual pay bill is less than £3m, the costs are still heavily subsidised (up to 95%) by Government. It’s therefore an inexpensive way to attract and retain talented people, develop your workforce, fill skills gaps and improve productivity and performance.

Degree apprenticeships at Northumbria University

Northumbria University is a leading provider and was one of the first UK universities to offer government-supported degree apprenticeships. The University currently delivers over 20 different degree apprenticeships across diverse sectors – from architecture, construction and engineering to digital, tech and creative – with a range of new programmes regularly added to the portfolio. 

Through strong relationships with industry, Northumbria can develop completely bespoke and tailored degree apprenticeship programmes, to directly meet the needs of a business, sector or workforce. 

For more information or to get in touch with the team click here

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Northumbria University .