Degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships are a way for employers to support their staff to study for a university qualification. Apprentices spend part of their time at the university and the rest at their place of work, benefitting from on-the-job training enhanced by their university education.

Employers

Useful information for employers looking for apprenticeships for your staff

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Apprentices

Useful information for apprentices looking for an apprenticeship.

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Degree apprenticeships

Take a look at the degree apprenticeships available at Huddersfield

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How to apply

Get advice and guidance on how to apply

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How much will it cost?

Find out how the Apprenticeship Levy supports the payment of apprenticeship learning

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Get in touch

Get help and advice about degree apprenticeships

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The University of Huddersfield is a current delivery partner of the Kirklees Apprenticeships for All project. This project is managed and delivered by Kirklees Council and part funded by the European Social Fund. The project aims to attract, support and grow apprenticeships across the Kirklees Metropolitan District. The project is receiving up to £1,750,000 of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information on the Kirklees Apprenticeships for All project, please visit their website.

Employers

Degree Apprenticeships add value and return on investment for employers as learners implement their learning and skills within the organisation. In addition, apprenticeships allow your organisation to:

Address high-level skills gaps and specific business needs
Develop future leaders for your business
Increase motivation, productivity and performance of existing employees
Recruit, support and retain high-calibre talent

What are degree apprenticeships?

Degree apprenticeships combine work with higher level learning . Apprentices spend most of their time at work, employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week while also attending University. You have to allow them to spend at least 20% of time in ‘off-the-job’ study or training.

At the University of Huddersfield, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships include qualifications from Level 5 (equivalent to a Foundation Degree) through to Level 7 (equivalent to a Master’s degree).

How does it work?

The course content will be similar to that of full-time study and apprentices will be part of a cohort group that benefit from each other’s experience and support. Apprenticess gain the knowledge and skills you would expect from a high quality degree while work based learning methods will help the apprentice maximise the impact on your organisation. Assessments may include reports, presentations and company projects to ensure academic study is integrated with on-the-job training. Off-the-job training will be agreed with the apprentice, the employer and the University and how to plan and support development during and after study.

When does an apprentice attend University?

Apprenticeships are primarily work based qualifications so training and assessment is in partnership with the employer. Any off-the-job training such as attending University must be undertaken in the apprentice’s paid employment hours. Attendance at University will be required for the academic award and will usually take place through day release or in some cases attendance blocks. This will vary according to specific courses.

How are apprenticeships assessed?

At the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices will complete an end point assessment (EPA). For some degree apprenticeships this will be part of the degree (integrated EPA) and others it will be a separate assessment following completion of the degree (non-integrated EPA). The assessment will be agreed between the University and the employer.

How long will it take?

The minimum length of an apprenticeship is one year but higher and degree level apprenticeships typically take between two and five years to complete.

What support is available?

All apprentices have access to the range of support services at University of Huddersfield. This includes areas such as academic skills support, Students’ Union, Computing and Library Services and Wellbeing and Disability Services.

Hiring an apprentice

An apprentice must work with experienced staff, must learn job specific skills and must study during their working week. There are several steps to taking on an apprentice.

Get in touch

We have specialist staff who can provide advice and guidance to employers about all aspects of the apprenticeship process. For more information please email apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships combine work with higher level learning and are designed to help you gain a university level qualification while still performing your role. Apprentices spend most of their time at work, employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week while also attending University, so you get to work, earn, learn and progress at the same time. Your employer has to commit to providing you with at least 20% of time in ‘off-the-job’ study or training.

At the University of Huddersfield, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships include qualifications from Level 5 (equivalent to a Foundation Degree) through to Level 7 (equivalent to a Master’s degree).

How does it work?

The course content will be similar to that of full-time study and you will be part of a cohort group that benefit from each other’s experience and support. Apprenticeships will be taught a little differently, as well as being offered the knowledge and skills you’d expect from a high quality degree, using work based learning methods will help you maximise the impact from your study and work place. Assessments may include reports, presentations and company projects to ensure you integrate your academic study with on-the-job training. Your employer will be required to allow you to undertake ‘off-the-job training’ for 20% of your time. This will be agreed with yourself, the employer and the university and how to plan and support your development during and after your study.

When will you attend University?

Apprenticeships are primarily work based qualifications so training and assessment is in partnership with your employer. Attendance at University will be required for the academic award and will usually take place through day release or in some cases attendance blocks. This will vary according to specific courses.

How will you be assessed?

At the end of your apprenticeship you will complete an End Point Assessment, although for some degree apprenticeships this will be the same as for your degree. The assessment will be agreed between the University and your employer.

How long will it take?

The minimum length of an apprenticeship is one year but higher and degree level apprenticeships typically take between 2 and 5 years to complete.

What support is available?

Get in touch

We have specialist staff who can provide advice and guidance to those interested in study towards an apprenticeship. For more information, please email apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

How much will it cost?

Apprentices do not pay tuition fees. Employers use their Apprenticeship Levy to cover costs.

The Levy Explained

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017 to proactively increase the quantity and improve the quality of apprenticeships across the country. Employers in England can invest this money along with additional government funding in apprenticeships according to specific rules. The tax applies to all UK employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million who pay 0.5% of their pay bill towards the Levy.

How does the Levy work?

Eligible employers report and pay the levy to HMRC through the PAYE process and then use their individual apprenticeship service account to access funding, choose approved training providers and manage payments. The Government applies a top-up of 10% to the funds that enter the account each month. Funds will expire 24 months after they enter the account unless they are spent on apprenticeships.

For employers who don’t pay the Levy, support is still available. They pay 10% of the apprenticeship training costs and the Government will pay the rest (90%), up to a funding band maximum. This is known as ‘co-investment’.

Read detailed information about how the Levy works [link to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work/apprenticeship-levy-how-it-will-work]

What can you use the Levy for?

Apprenticeship training and End Point Assessment with a training provider on the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers. Training must last a minimum of one year and 20% of the apprentice’s time must be spend on ‘off-the-job training’. You can only use funds in the account to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment for apprentices that work at least 50% of the time in England, and only up to the funding bandmaximum for that apprenticeship.

What can the Levy not be used for?

Wages, statutory licences to practise, travel and subsidiary costs, work placement programmes and the cost of setting up an apprenticeship programme.

Get in touch

Supporting a degree apprenticeship can be a significant commitment, for the employer and the learner, but it is also an opportunity, and knowing exactly how to make the most of the funding will play a major role in how successful it is for your company.

We have specialist staff who can provide advice and guidance on the Levy and other financial aspects. For more information, please email apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

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Employers

Apprentices

Degree apprenticeships

How to apply

How much will it cost?

Get in touch