You Could Get A Degree For Free & Get Paid While You Study
Choosing a degree apprenticeship could help you earn and study at the same time.
If you’re thinking about what to do for higher education, you probably know that going to uni is the more traditional route.
However, uni isn’t always right for everyone, especially if you have other commitments or are worried about the financial aspect. For many, going into the world of work straight away can seem more appealing, but higher education can help you gain more job opportunities.
You could have even done an undergraduate degree and be unsure what the next step is and what a lot of people may not know is that degree apprenticeships are an option that could see you working and receiving a degree at the same time.
Loading …What is a degree apprenticeship?
A degree apprenticeship could be a great option for anyone who wants to work and get a degree at the same time. You can study for an undergraduate or master’s degree while you’re working and getting valuable industry experience.
One of the biggest perks is that you don’t have to pay any tuition fees, so unlike those who choose to do a regular undergraduate or master’s degree, you won’t finish your degree with any debt from student loans.
While student loan debt isn’t a huge thing to worry about in the UK as it will eventually get wiped, and most people pay it back in small installments—being completely debt and student loan-free is a very attractive prospect for a lot of people.
Another advantage is that while you’re doing a degree apprenticeship you’ll get paid an apprentice wage, so you will earn some money while you’re studying.
Once you’ve completed your degree apprenticeship you’ll receive an undergraduate or master’s degree just like anyone who went down the traditional uni route, but you’ll also have gained skills from working on the job and your training will all be covered by apprenticeship funding, so you won’t have to pay anything towards it and you’ll earn money.
Do I have to work and go to university?
For degree apprenticeships, you’ll be studying part-time but 80% of the time you’ll be doing practical work on the job and gain real-life experience. You could do a degree apprenticeship in loads of different subjects, from marketing to law to engineering, and they’re eligible to anyone over 18 who has completed their GCSEs—although the requirements will be different for different apprenticeships.
If you’re unsure about uni and prefer to spend your time doing something practical rather than sitting in a lecture hall this could be a great choice, especially if you enjoy living at home and don’t want to move away to a new city as you’ll most likely be able to do your degree apprenticeship without having to move away.
You’ll also have a valid degree, just like anyone who did go to uni but with the skills you learn on the job, you could stand out from the crowd when it comes to securing a graduate job.
For more information on degree apprenticeships and the courses you could apply for, check out the government website.
