Alliance universities are some of the foremost providers of degree apprenticeships, with apprentices studying everything from Nursing, to Quantity Surveying, to Automotive Engineering all the way to Digital Design.
This National Apprenticeships Week we’re showcasing some inspiring degree apprentices from across our membership, highlighting how their courses have shaped their learning and future careers.
Abigail, University of Derby
Abigail Harris has always wanted to be a nurse, and because of her passion for patient care, she was able to start her MSc Nursing (Adult) Apprenticeship. Abigail is now working as a rapid response nurse with the Derbyshire Community Health Services.
After completing her first degree in BSc Health Sciences through the Open University, Abigail started her job at Derbyshire Community Health Services. She knew she wanted to be a nurse but felt she didn’t have the support available to study full-time.
Confidence is essential
Throughout her apprenticeship, Abigail undertook a number of placements in a variety of healthcare settings, from acute wards to community and urgent treatment. And although Abigail has already had previous experience in health care, she still found the placements to be eye-opening to what the ‘real world’ looks like.
“The most important trait to have is definitely resilience – I cannot stress enough how having the confidence and knowing what I can actually do affects my daily job. The sudden transition from being a student with little-to-no responsibility, to having full responsibility for a number of people as a nurse is very scary, but I would say that the degree prepared us for it as best as it could, which made the transition a lot smoother and a lot less stressful. Especially in the last part of my studies, all the academics are really looking deeper into preparing us for the accountability that is to come.”
From an apprenticeship into the real world
After graduating in 2022, Abigail was able to transition into a role smoothly, she gained many useful skills for her future in nursing.
“I was lucky because I was able to do a placement here, it was my second-to-last placement, and I was offered a job right after graduation. Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I had a meeting with the Trust, where we finalised my transfer from the apprenticeship straight into a role. It took away the massive pressure that graduates are put through, where not only that you have to focus on finishing your degree, but also stress about your future, applying for jobs, interviews and such.”
Rebecca, University of Greenwich
When we spoke to Scientific Officer Rebecca Flint, she was very clear about the many benefits of choosing a degree apprenticeship at the University of Greenwich.
“I would encourage anyone to apply for the right degree apprenticeship for them,” Rebecca says. “It’s the best thing I have ever done. Choosing a degree apprenticeship here allowed me to have the best of both worlds, by continuing my education while also working.”
“In fact,” Rebecca says, “As a degree apprentice, I had great support from my colleagues, and I was able to immediately apply my theoretical knowledge in a real-life working setting. It’s a great mix.”
Unsure what to do after A-levels
At first, Rebecca was unsure which career to pursue after finishing her A-levels. “I wanted more work experience and further education, but I didn’t necessarily want to live on a university campus,” she says.
“My brother had done a degree apprenticeship, and he’d had an incredibly positive experience. So, when I saw this course advertised online, I knew it was worth exploring.”
A five-year head start on other students
“My degree apprenticeship took five years, which means that, along with my academic knowledge, I already have five years of practical industry experience, Rebecca says. “This gives you a huge advantage over students who take traditional full-time academic courses.”
Excellent support from her employer
Rebecca was eager to highlight the excellent support that her employer, Kent Scientific Services (KSS), gave her throughout her programme. “My managers and senior colleagues all drew on their extensive industry experience to help me,” she says. “This was invaluable in many situations, including when I was learning the legislation behind the standard operating procedures in our industry.”
“My fellow degree apprentices at KSS were brilliant too,” Rebecca says. “They understood the challenges I was facing and shared many tips and tricks to make my studying easier.”
Diane, Coventry University
Diane told us how she found her Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship at Coventry University:
“The course is far wider than I expected and the skills and methodologies are transferrable to any industry.”
“I thought I was quite knowledgeable in the ways of the world, but this course has really opened my eyes and widened my lens. It has shown me how little I knew about the culture, working conditions, rules of engaging business from country to country, but in a really interesting way that makes you want to learn so much more.”
“The structure itself is very good and the first two modules give you an immediate insight to other cultures/countries and how various events can have a real bearing on decisions you will need to make in your role as Project Manager. “
“You are taught how to circumnavigate different scenarios, how to engage with stakeholders for a positive outcome. You study real life events and are challenged to explain where you thought things went wrong and how you would have approached the problem.”
“The support from the course team has been invaluable and the feedback you receive from your assignments, helps you understand where you excelled and where you could have added more meat to the bones and this helps you with your future assignments. It is a good example of looking outside the box and really opens up your mind.”
“I would say to anyone thinking about doing this course, this is probably the most useful course you will ever need to be able to move in any industry you wish and not necessarily as a Project Manager, it could be a role in a Project Management Office, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Scheduling etc. The course is 100% worth the effort. “
Sam, Leeds Beckett University
I had very little experience in Civil Engineering when I started working for JBA Consulting in 2016. Because of this, they fully supported my goal to study part-time alongside full-time employment.
During my first 4 years at JBA, I completed the Level 3, HNC and HND qualifications. These allowed me to join the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship at Leeds Beckett University in 2020.
I have really enjoyed studying for a degree apprenticeship at LBU and have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to achieve a BSc qualification whilst gaining relevant industry work experience and earning at the same time. The process has also helped to advance my role at work, where I have progressed from CAD Technician to Senior Civil Engineer.
What support have you had from your employer and the university?
Throughout my degree apprenticeship, my employer has been very supportive. They have given me numerous opportunities in the workplace to achieve the professional attributes required for the End Point Assessment (EPA). At the start of my course, I was appointed a Supervising Civil Engineer (SCE) and Delegate Engineer (DE) to provide mentoring, particularly through the professional accreditation component of the process.
The lecturers and apprenticeship team at LBU were great, helping me keep up with the requirements needed to achieve my degree qualification and work towards professional accreditation.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying a degree apprenticeship?
Completing your education and professional development at the same time is a huge time commitment. Ensure you fully understand the requirements of the course and discuss this with your employer to make sure they do too!
Having an end goal in mind but understanding how to achieve it is key. With the help of your employer and university, breaking the education and professional accreditation attributes into manageable steps can help you stay focused throughout.
Alice, Middlesex University
Alice is studying for a degree apprenticeship in BA Digital Design which has seen her expand her responsibilities and line manage junior team members in her graphic design role at her company, Exertis.
Alice, from Hutton in Essex, said:
“I started the course as a graphic designer and it has given me the confidence to manage others and take on more responsibility. Everything I have learned on the course has supported me in this.”
Having worked in graphic design for 20 years and never been to university, Alice’s employer recommended the degree apprenticeship at Middlesex University to learn valuable up-to-date digital skills which are in demand by employers.
Alice has online classes alongside coursework and assignments which complement her day-to-day role. She is learning how to put together detailed design briefs from initial concept stage to final campaigns, pitch for business, manage multiple tasks, deadlines and clients, develop knowledge of digital design tools and methods, measure the success of campaigns, and manage junior team members.
She said:
“It has been valuable to update my digital skills, such as learning how to use artificial intelligence (AI) in my role. The digital world is developing so quickly and it will advance my career to be able to design larger campaigns with a greater focus on digital content.
“My tutor at Middlesex University has been brilliant, really supportive, and so much of what I’ve learned I’ve been able to apply directly to my day-to-day job to progress further.
“If you get an opportunity to do a degree apprenticeship, seize it. I have already experienced countless benefits and insights which will be invaluable to my future. Onwards and upwards – I am loving this journey!”
Alice Himfen, BA Digital Design Apprentice
Abi and Elan, University of South Wales
Two west Wales women are blazing the trail for a new generation of professionals as part of the first course of its kind for Wales in the past 20 years.
Abi Blackburn, 20, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and Elan Thomas, also 20, from Meidrim, Carmarthenshire, are part of the first cohort of students to study for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited Real Estate Degree Apprenticeship, which was launched last autumn at the University of South Wales (USW).
For Abi and Elan, being part of the course is helping them to build a bridge between their rural roots and professional ambitions, efforts which are supported by their employer, west Wales-based Rees Richards and Partners, which specialises in chartered surveying, property valuation and sales, along with estate management.
After completing A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate, Abi took up a job in retail before securing a role at Rees Richards and Partners in 2023, focusing on the property side of the business, handling viewings, tenant relations, and property preparation.
It was a role Abi says gave her the chance to follow her ambitions.
“There were a lot of opportunities to build a career in this role, which is something I was really inspired by,” she said.
Elan took a more varied route to her degree apprenticeship. Having grown up on a dairy farm and being part of the west Wales agricultural community, she initially started a degree, but then paused her study to work on farms in New Zealand and go travelling.
After returning to the UK, she decided to pursue a more hands-on, career-oriented pathway, taking up a role in rural surveying with Rees Richards and Partners.
“I didn’t really enjoy university life when I was doing a full-time degree, sitting in a classroom for five days a week wasn’t for me,” Elan said.
“After returning from New Zealand I thought I wouldn’t have a chance to do surveying because I’d dropped out of my degree. But my dad encouraged me to look for a job outside the farm and saw the advert for the surveyor role at Rees Richards, which included the degree apprenticeship, so I was delighted that I could carry on studying on a course that was connected to the job I would be doing.”
For both women, the course allows them to contribute to their local community, and be a key member of the younger generation that is committed to the sustainability and growth of rural industries.
“I always wanted to do a degree but wasn’t 100% keen on moving away from home, and I didn’t realise until I started my job with Rees Richards and Partners that I could do the degree apprenticeship,” Abi said.
“But I think I made the right decision, as this has given me a unique opportunity to progress in my career while learning valuable skills I can apply directly to my work.”
Elan added: “Having the chance to stay in my community, work in a role that aligns with my agricultural background, and learn on the job, makes this apprenticeship pathway ideal for me.
“It’s also great that there are people in the business who are experienced in a variety of roles relevant to our study and can also help us while we are in the work environment.”
