How to apply for an apprenticeship

1. Make an application to your course

If you are applying for an undergraduate (Level 6) programme, you will apply through UCAS.

Applications for postgradate (Level 7) programmes are made via the University’s SITS application system. Once you have discussed your interest with your employer, and they have agreed for you to undertake an apprenticeship at University of Birmingham, they will send you the link to apply alongside any key information. Please note: your employer must have an updated Employer Apprenticeship Agreement contract before they can share an application link.

How to apply to our taught courses

How to apply for an undergraduate course

2. Complete the Additional Information Form (AIF)

Once you have received a conditional offer, you will be asked to complete an AIF. There are additional data collection requirements for an apprenticeship which are covered in this form. This is split into three sections:

You are required to evidence a minimum of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE equivalent) by the time you have completed an apprenticeship. Where you have not achieved this or cannot provide evidence then you must achieve this before the Gateway meeting.

If you are able to locate your GCSE or equivalent English and Maths certificates, the AIF provides an opportunity to upload scanned copies. If you cannot locate your certificates but have undertaken training previously, you should get in touch with the institution through which you sat the examinations or the Exam Board if you know it.

A list of Exam Boards can be found here and check here if you want to know which Board to contact for a replacement certificate. Level 2 Maths and English equivalencies can be found here.

Additional Functional Skills training can be provided to any apprentice who does not have evidence of these prior qualifications or who has not previously achieved them. At present, the Functional Skills training is delivered by Solihull College and further details of this training will be provided once it is confirmed that the training is required. This learning is not included your off-the-job training calculation.
As part of the apprenticeship application process, every applicant is required to review the programme they wish to study and the relevant Apprenticeship Standard to determine whether they have any prior learning or experience which should be taken into account.

You should take your time when reviewing the programme and Apprenticeship Standard and notify the University through the AIF of instances where you feel that prior learning has taken place

For experiential learning you will be expected to provide evidence of learning that maps to specific module outcomes or Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours listed in the Apprenticeship Standard.

Any prior learning submitted will be assessed by an academic member of staff at the University and the programme cost and duration may be reduced as a result.

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3. Registration

Once you have accepted your place onto a programme, you will receive a registration email. This email is automatically generated on acceptance of your unconditional offer and will be sent to the email address you used during your application. If you have not received the email, please check your spam/junk folders as these emails can sometimes be blocked, particularly if you are using your work email address. You will be asked to upload a passport style photo as part of online registration which will be used on your student ID card. You will need to complete registration before you attend your induction to ensure that you are able to access University materials.

4. Complete an Initial Needs Assessment

In advance of your induction, you will be sent an Initial Needs Assessment to review, complete, and raise any queries you have. A meeting between you, an academic member of staff, and your employer will then take place to review your completed form and discuss any queries or concerns. This form will then be used to assess your initial competence against the Apprenticeship Standard and will be revisited periodically during your apprenticeship.

The Initial Needs Assessment also acts as a mapping tool so that you can clearly see where the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard are addressed in modules studied on the programme.

An Initial Needs Assessment meeting will also need to take place before you start on your apprenticeship programme. This meeting must be attended by you, your employer and an academic member of staff.

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5. Sign a training plan agreement

All parties (apprentice, employer, and University) will sign a Training Plan Agreement, which will set out how the apprenticeship will be successfully achieved. The University will coordinate signatures from all three parties and a copy will be emailed to you and your employer. Any changes to the programme or contracted hours should be documented in the Training Plan Agreement and re-signed by all parties. You will need to upload your Training Plan Agreement onto PebblePad so that it is stored on a platform accessible to all parties.

6. Sign an Apprenticeship Agreement

Every apprentice must sign an Apprenticeship Agreement with their employer to confirm that both parties are content with the arrangements. The University will need a signed copy of this agreement on file for audit purposes.

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