Thinking about taking an apprenticeship? Here’s what you need to know

Apprenticeships are a popular option for those moving on to the next stage of their education after school or college. 

You'll spend some time in the classroom earning a recognised qualification, but you'll be putting what you learn straight into practice – and getting paid to do it. 

In this article, we'll help you understand more about apprenticeships and point you towards more information on The Student Room, The Uni Guide and beyond.

Also, plenty of potential apprentices discuss their applications here on The Student Room. You can find a few popular threads about specific vacancies in the box below.

To find more applicant chats like these, head to our apprenticeships and alternatives to university forum.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you have to be at least 16 years old and not in full-time education. 

There are four types of apprenticeships and they can take between one and six years to complete, depending on the level and your previous experience.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels, from GCSE and A-level equivalents to being included as part of a university degree. 

“Start at an apprenticeship level that suits your existing qualifications,” says The Student Room member Chris2892. “I worked my way from Level 3 to Level 6 because I didn’t have A-levels.” 

Use the table below to find the type of apprenticeship best suited to your stage of learning.

If you don’t think you are ready for an apprenticeship yet, you could look for training programmes in your local area. 

Once you know which apprenticeship level you’ll apply for, you can search for vacancies on gov.uk and apply directly to the employer.

The employer will say what grades and qualities they’re looking for on the vacancy, but grades aren’t as important as they would be for applying to university. Instead, employers put more emphasis on your passion, transferable skills and willingness to learn. 

It might not be that easy to secure the role you’re after though – you never know how many people are applying for the same vacancy. “Apprenticeships are ridiculously competitive,” says Mara1680. “You could have hundreds of other candidates to beat.” 

As a result, it’s a good idea to apply for a variety of apprenticeships – you could even apply to university at the same time.

“I'd never risk applying only to one or two companies, even if I put full effort into it,” says Mara1680. “You can never be sure exactly what they're looking for and what kind of applicants you're up against.”

As there can be competition for places, it’s worth spending some time preparing for your interview – this could be your chance to stand out from the other applicants.

Start by researching the company – they’ll want to see you understand the industry – and then prepare some answers to common interview questions (like these ones on the National Careers Service website).

When you’re preparing for the interview, revisit the job description and think of how you can relate the required skills to your own experiences. 

“You need to make sure you show off all the skills from the job description, including teamwork, leadership, communication and willingness to learn,” says apprentinsideryt. “So give examples of when you’ve worked in a team, been a leader and solved problems.” 

The majority of your time as an apprentice will be spent working for your employer. While it can be tough to learn on the job, you’ll get plenty of help from your colleagues as you get to grips with everything.

“The work is extremely difficult and you’re always progressively pushed to improve, but with a huge support network,” says Chris2892. “The job is meaningful and has a lasting effect though – it feels satisfying to make a difference in the workplace.”

“You really need to embrace being at absolute zero and make a conscious effort to take on advice and constructive criticism with a positive attitude.”

Although you'll be working most of the time, you’ll still be studying as well – with the remaining 20% of your hours spent on classroom training.

The salary you get paid will vary depending on your age and what year of the apprenticeship you’re in. 

The lowest you’ll be paid is the apprenticeship minimum wage. This is currently £5.28 an hour, but it’s increasing to £6.40 on 1 April 2024 – a 21% rise.

You’ll be entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for your age once you’re at least 19 and have finished the first year of your apprenticeship. These are the current rates:

And here's what they'll look like from April:

But you could earn even more if you excel in your role. “My salary increases through my apprenticeship to reflect my increasing responsibility,” says nawal1540. 

Over 41,000 degree apprenticeships were started during 2023, which is over a 9% increase on the previous year.

It looks like combining a degree with practical experience is starting to become a more available alternative to university. 

But completing a degree with an apprenticeship can be hard work. “Degree apprenticeships are not easy and demand a lot of motivation and commitment,” says squirrology.

“You are working while studying, so you will likely be going to university once a week and working four days a week.”

If you have a question about apprenticeships, you can speak to current apprentices as well as other applicants on our apprenticeships and alternatives to university forum.