Degree apprenticeships Wales
A Degree Apprenticeship in Wales gives people in Wales who have completed a Higher Apprenticeship, have A-Levels or a Level 5 qualification the chance to combine full-time work with studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at university or college.
What is a Wales Degree Apprenticeship?
A Degree Apprenticeship in Wales is the same as a degree level apprenticeship in England, and similar to a Graduate Apprenticeship in Scotland, and leads to a Level 6/7 qualification.
Degree Apprenticeships are qualifications developed by employers in conjunction with universities and colleges. They are designed to fill skills gaps in the workforce, initially in Digital, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, and as an alternative to traditional degree programmes. The qualification apprentices achieve is equivalent to Level 6 (bachelor’s degree) and Level 7 (master’s degree). Degree apprenticeships are most commonly made available to people already working for employers or by applying to a specific employer.
Some apprenticeships will be available in Welsh – the university or college will be able to provide details if you require Welsh or bilingual training, or need to have Welsh speaking or writing skills.
What do I need to apply for a Wales Degree Apprenticeship?
The usual entry requirements for entry onto Degree Apprenticeships in Wales are five GCSE passes at grades 9-4 and Level 3 qualifications such as A-Levels, NVQs or a BTEC National. Some apprenticeship providers may insist on your A-Level passes being in specific subjects and certain grade ranges.
How old do I have to be?
Most applicants will be over the age of 18 as Degree Apprenticeships in Wales require Level 3 qualifications. You must live in Wales, have the right to live and work in the UK and not already be in full-time education.
How many Wales Degree Apprenticeships are available?
Degree Apprenticeships are relatively new programmes of work-based learning in Wales, and initially the Welsh government and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales prioritised funding in the areas of Digital, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. These include courses in Mechanical Engineering, Semiconductor Technologies and Applied Data Science amongst others.
The scope of new Degree Apprenticeships is being widened. For example, there are now opportunities in Operational Policing at the University of South Wales.
How will a Welsh Degree Apprenticeship develop my career?
Degree Apprenticeships are the highest level of apprenticeship qualification you can achieve in Wales. After completing it you will not only have a degree, but a wealth of work experience, and will have been able to earn a salary at the same time. This could put you ahead of some people the same age as you who might be entering the world of work for the first time.
Working and studying towards a Degree apprenticeship improves your skills, expertise and knowledge in your chosen field, and the connections you will have made with employers during your apprenticeship will prove invaluable.
How do I apply for a Degree Apprenticeship in Wales?
As yet there is not a searchable database for Degree Apprenticeship opportunities in Wales, but we recommend you contact the institutions in Wales that provide Degree Apprenticeship courses. These can be found on the Careers Wales website.