Higher and Degree apprenticeship FAQ's

Apprentices are employed throughout the programme which combines work with university study, either in blocks of time, day release, a blend of face-to-face and online study or full-time study with placements, depending on the programme and the employer. Each programme is delivered in a slightly different format, so it is best to check the course page of your chosen apprenticeship.

As an employer, a degree apprenticeship programme provides an opportunity to recruit, develop and retain outstanding individuals with vital skills as the business evolves.

For apprentices, it is a practical way of putting theory into practice, gaining a wealth of experience, and achieving a formal qualification without incurring the cost of fees.

Apprenticeship standards are created by employer groups, referred to as ‘trailblazers’, and describe the occupational profile linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are required to achieve full competence in a particular occupation. These are associated with a specific degree apprenticeship level. Apprenticeship standards can either be integrated, where the End Point Assessment is managed by the training provider, or non-integrated, where a registered independent End Point Assessment organisation is appointed to undertake the final occupational competence assessment as part of an apprenticeship.

University fees are paid for by your employer / the government for a degree apprenticeship, not by the Apprentice.

Levy paying companies can fund apprenticeship training through their Apprenticeship Levy account. Non-levy paying companies can also receive apprenticeship funding. For more information, please visit the government website.

The Apprenticeship Levy came into effect in April 2017. The Levy applies to employers in England who have annual payroll bill above £3 million. Where applicable, the Levy is charged at a rate of 0.5% of their annual pay bill. Employers can use funds from the Apprenticeship Levy to pay for apprenticeship training. Non-levy paying companies can also receive apprenticeship funding. For more information, please visit the government website.

Degree apprentices can either be new or existing employees and must:

• Be at least 16 years old (there is no upper age limit)
• Meet the academic entry requirements for the course (please check relevant requirements here)
• Have the right to work in England
• Over the duration of the apprenticeship, spend at least 50% of your working hours in England
• Be contracted to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and be paid at least their age-related Apprentice National Minimum Wage.

Apprenticeships must have a minimum duration of 12 months and the apprentice must meet their contractual off-the-job training hours. There is no maximum duration, however most degree apprenticeships last between 3 and 6 years.

At the start of your apprenticeship, you will receive details of the total number of off-the-job hours you are required to meet by the end of your apprenticeship training. This calculation will be monitored throughout your apprenticeship through your progress reviews and through your activity log in your evidence portfolio. The commitment you and your employer must make is to dedicate around 6 hours a week to studying towards your apprenticeship. The academic content delivered to you counts towards this, along with a range of other activities to evidence how you have met the knowledge, skills, and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard.

For more information, see the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s guidance.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, for further information, please visit the Government’s guidance page.

Evidence may include:

• Teaching of theory, e.g. lectures
• Manufacturer training, e.g. new equipment or technologies
• Shadowing or being mentored
• Simulated exercises and role play
• Learning support provided by the employer or University
• Practical training
• Attendance at competitions
• Some online learning, e.g. webinars or blended learning
• Visiting other departments within your place of work
• Industry visits or visiting other companies or suppliers

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, for further information, please visit the Government’s guidance page.

The following is not included:

• Level 2 English and Maths training
• Progress reviews or on-programme assessments that are required in the Apprenticeship Standards
• Training that takes place outside of your paid working hours and time is not given back in lieu; and apprenticeship inductions, unless there is an educational element that provides some basics of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that are core to the Apprenticeship Standard.

For apprentices, there are a number of key benefits to studying a degree apprenticeship:

1. Apprentices are paid a full time salary for the duration of their apprenticeship
2. Apprentices have no tuition fees to pay – these are paid by the employer through the Apprenticeship Levy
3. Apprentices are given time off work for study
4. Apprentices graduate with a full degree at the end of a degree apprenticeship
5. Apprentices receive a graduate-level job at the end of their studies

Employers can benefit from developing apprenticeships as part of their workforce plans in a number of ways:

1. Address skills gaps
2. Upskill and retain existing talent
3. Recruit new talent into the business

For further information on the Apprenticeship Levy, see the Government website.

Apprentices studying at the University of Birmingham have access to a range of careers support during, and after, their apprenticeship. Find out more about our careers support, CPD activities and Digital resource hub.

Whilst there is a minimum age to enrol as an apprentice, there is no maximum age. Regardless of your age and stage of your career, a degree apprenticeship could be a great way to build on your knowledge and skills or a way to retrain in a brand-new field. Our apprentices range from 18 to 66 so it is never too late to continue learning.

Graduates are eligible for Level 6 degree apprenticeship funding, however the apprenticeship must be significantly different to the degree you already hold, to ensure you are learning new skills and gaining new knowledge and behaviours. If you are interested in studying on a Level 7 programme, you will need a first-class degree or, in some cases, a significant amount of work experience in the industry.

Combining work and study can be challenging. You might experience a significant change in your work-life balance, so it is important to consider whether you have the time to commit to studying whilst working full time. On the other hand, this provides an excellent way to further develop your time management skills. We recommend that you seek advice from your employer before applying.

In order to complete an apprenticeship in England, an apprentice must evidence that they have achieved a minimum of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent at grade C or above) by the time they have completed the apprenticeship.

If an apprentice has not achieved this already, or cannot provide evidence, they must undertake additional training and achieve a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in English and/or Maths before they enter the Gateway period. This training and assessment will be managed in conjunction with one of the University’s local College partners.

You can find the Apprenticeship funding rules on the Government’s Apprenticeship funding rules page.

As an institution we use the platform PebblePad to monitor and evidence all apprenticeships and progress reviews. Each apprentice and their employer gains access at the start of their apprenticeship programme. For more information, please visit our Using PebblePad guidance pages.

The three-way relationship between the employer, University and apprentice is critical to the success of an apprenticeship. Regular and open ongoing dialogue of communication between all three parties will ensure that the apprentice is making good progress and meeting the needs of the apprenticeship.

Progress review meetings take place four times a year and should be face to face, where possible. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure you receive the right support both at work and at the University.

If you are not able to attend a university activity, you will need to let your tutor and School Office know. All reasonable endeavours should be made to catch up with any missed learning, as these hours count towards off-the-job training. Your employer will be notified of any unauthorised absences or lateness.  Where you will be absent for more than four weeks, you will need to take a break in learning.

You should notify your employer as soon as possible if you wish to pause your learning or withdraw from the apprenticeship altogether. You may also wish to discuss a break in learning with your Personal Tutor or Welfare Officer before submitting the request.

Your School will share a Leave of Absence or Voluntary Withdrawal form with you for you to complete.

You can use any of your ‘Keeping in Touch’ days to undertake apprenticeship training and/or assessment, including End Point Assessment. However, please note that you will lose your entitlement to statutory maternity/ adoption pay and may bring your leave to an end if you undertake more than ten days’ work during that time. You should speak with your employer if you are considering this.

If you choose to leave your current job, you should follow the standard procedures within your workplace. You should discuss this with both your employer and the University to understand what impact the apprenticeship may have on your notice period, if any. You will need to complete a Voluntary Withdrawal form which will be signed-off by your employer and the University.

If you leave the organisation which is funding your apprenticeship and begin employment at a new organisation which is happy to continue to pay for your apprenticeship, you can continue the programme at the point you left your previous company. In order for this to happen, you should notify your College Apprenticeships Partner as soon as possible once you are aware that you will be changing employers so that they can begin the contracting process with the new employer and ensure that everything is in place before you leave your previous organisation.

If you are considering taking a break from your apprenticeship study, you will need to discuss this matter with your tutor/supervisor or wellbeing officer in your school and complete an Apprenticeship Leave of Absence form. Please note Apprentices must obtain written confirmation from their employer they agree to this LOA and confirmation on Return from LOA. For more information please visit our, Leave of absence pages.