Who can apply?
Anyone in Wales who meets the university entry requirements for the degree apprenticeship. This is usually someone with qualifications at Level 3 - equivalent to NVQ Level 3 or 2 A-level passes - on the credit and qualifications framework (CQFW), and/or relevant industry experience. The employer and university or college offering the degree apprenticeship might set specific subjects and grades.
To start an apprenticeship in Wales, you need to be:
- aged 16 or over – there is no upper age limit
- working in Wales for 51% or more of your time
- recruited to or in a job role appropriate to the apprenticeship
Working together with your employer and a university in Wales, you will plan the degree apprenticeship, be that in Welsh or English, allowing a tailor-made approach to equip you with the skills you need now and in the future, for your job.
Your employer and university will agree with you the qualification, assessment and programme processes.
What are the costs?
There are 2 costs associated with a degree apprenticeship – your wage and the tuition fee costs of higher education study. Your employer will pay the first cost. You don’t pay the second.
The Welsh Government fully funds the cost of tuition fees.
Benefits of a degree apprenticeship
Developing your higher-level skills with industry-led degree apprenticeships can support you to succeed and innovate in your role.
Your degree apprenticeship can:
- Help you earn while you learn, as you will be employed and paid a salary throughout the course duration.
- Lead to a degree level qualification that can also include professional qualifications relevant to industry.
- Enable you to benefit from ongoing and personalised support from work colleagues and teaching staff experienced in their field.
- Provide the opportunity to apply learning directly to real world live projects.
- Support you to acquire the expertise, knowledge and skills that you need to succeed in your work.
- Offer an attractive ladder of opportunity to support your career progression.
- Make you more employable to future companies who will value your knowledge and experience.
- Be designed flexibly around your needs.
Help and support
If you are new to apprenticeships, you can access further help and support by speaking directly to your local university.
Read a complete list of universities and degree apprenticeships on the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales website.
Search for a degree apprenticeship vacancy
Your local university will be able to provide you with information about current vacancies. In some cases, depending on the type of position, you can also apply directly to the employer, or search for an apprenticeship on Welsh Government’s apprenticeship vacancy service.
Unlike most university courses, there is no specific time when applicants are accepted on to a degree apprenticeship, so make sure you keep up the search as vacancies can become available at any time.
