Interest in degree apprenticeships increases as government announces university fee rise
Last week the government announced a rise in university tuition fees for students in England, rising to £9,535 up from £9,250. The decision was made to help provide universities with financial support in response to widespread struggles across the sector.
Now, data uncovered by RateMyApprenticeship shows that students may be turning to alternative education routes with a 79% increase in online searches for ‘degree apprenticeship’ since April 2024.
As costs continue to rise for students across the country, Oliver Sidwell, co-founder of RateMyApprenticeship, believes more students will opt for such schemes in a bid to curb costs and boost their employability:
“These programmes provide a more affordable and practical alternative to traditional university courses, enabling students to earn a salary while gaining hands-on work experience and achieving a degree, without accumulating large amounts of student debt. As financial pressures on students and families continue to grow, degree apprenticeships offer a compelling option for those seeking to combine education with immediate employment opportunities, all while gaining a recognised qualification.”
Degree apprenticeship candidates work towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, earning three to six years of professional experience.
With employability a growing concern for students and graduates, degree apprenticeships offer the chance to gain hands-on skills without finishing your programme in debt.
According to RateMyApprenticeship’s data, those who undertake a degree apprenticeship earn on average £26,019.02 annually In comparison, those who complete a more traditional undergraduate degree expect to earn £27,500 annually, according to the Graduate Outcomes survey.
While salaries may be comparable, students who complete a traditional undergraduate degree can also expect to graduate with around the same value in debt for their course fees alone.
So what more can be done to encourage students to explore degree apprenticeships?
Oliver adds, “We see careers advisors within schools and colleges as having a big role to play in signposting degree apprenticeships as a viable alternative for those students who may be concerned by the financial implications of going to University but have high ambitions for their careers. Career advisors often have a close relationship to these students so we really see the value in working with them to ensure each student in the country is as well informed as they can possibly be.”
For more information on degree apprenticeships visit the RateMyApprenticeship website.