BSc Digital and Technology Degree Apprenticeship or BSc Computer Science

I would choose the degree apprenticeship, it's debt free, earning a salary, you get valuable work experience whilst obtaining a degree. After uni you will still most likely be working 9 to 5 regardless.

I don't know about your degree apprenticeship programme, but for mine I would be working 4 days a week and 1 day a week is reserved for studying. Also although you may miss out on student life, it's not like there's one space for the apprenticeship, there would be round 30 to even 50 spaces for the apprenticeship meaning you can organise socials with others etc.

If you go to university, you're obviously not even guranteed a job and may end up being unemployed straight after uni like most graduates, the job market is unpredictable, and you would obviously be in debt. So it's kind of a no brainer.

Ironically, I was also in the same exact position as you about a week ago! I had to decide whether I should choose to attend a top 20 university or degree apprenticeship (same course as you) at a top 10 management consultancy firm in London.

Sorry if it tl;dr and Good luck with your assessment centres!

Hi there, is your course that you have applied for more business based, or more IT and Computer Science based? as the theory and programming of computer science are something that I really like the sound of, but a lot of the specs that I have read for 'Digital and Technology' don't seem to be very specific.

Thanks for your reply

Hi,
I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing next year the only difference is I am studying A levels in CS, Maths, and Physics. But I was wondering what are the major differences between the Digital and Technology Solutions degree vs the CS degree. Like is the CS more general while the DTS more specific to certain areas or what?

Digital and Technology Solutions is an apprenticeship scheme - i.e. it's a full-time job with part-time degree study for 1 day per week. Computer Science is a standard full-time 3 or 4 year degree which you study at a university.

how long dos the apprentice scheme last for. because surely if your going to uni for one day a week you will finish your degree way after someone who is studying a cs degree and that takes 3 to 4 years itself. i am a bit confused because the apprenticeship i have seen lasts 4 years roughly

You won't be taking the same lectures/lessons as people on a CS degree - the purpose of the apprenticeship is to work in a junior/trainee position, learning the majority of the skills you need as part of the job.

Also you'd need to complete your projects, assignments and coursework in your own time (i.e. evenings and weekends, just as you'd expect in any course).

But the timetables are completely different to a degree - there aren't any holidays; you'll be working and studying all year around.

how long dos the apprentice scheme last for. because surely if your going to uni for one day a week you will finish your degree way after someone who is studying a cs degree and that takes 3 to 4 years itself. i am a bit confused because the apprenticeship i have seen lasts 4 years roughly

This is partially incorrect. Some modules you will be with the apprentice cohort and others will be with Full-Time students. 2/5 modules that I studied this year were with full-time students who study Computing, Business.
Yes, but your employer will give you study leave time. You could take half a day off or the whole day.
True, the timetables are somewhat different to a degree. You do get term breaks (October break was the only time we had to still attend university), but during those term breaks, you'll still be working, if you wish... (You can use the holiday entitlement that your employer has given to you).
My degree apprentice scheme lasts for 3 years. But others run for 4 or even 5 years.
You get block release - meaning you have to attend university every day for a certain amount of time. For my apprenticeship, I had a 2-week block release in October and a 2-week block release in June/July. Block release enables you to learn all the module content within that period of time.
When I had my 2-week block release in October, we were given an assignment due in December and to undergo two examinations in January. Again, with my June block release, I had my examination at the end of the 2-weeks (It was yesterday actually) and the assignment is due at the end of July.
Block release is under the discretion of the University/Employer, they will both agree on when block releases will occur and for how long. Some could ask apprentices to attend the whole of term 1 and then 1 day a week after that etc. I know Barclays apprentices who have the same degree provider as myself + they have to attend University on the weekends and Mondays.
It may be "only" 1 day a week, but on that day you could find yourself studying 2 modules a week like myself. My hours at the university are slightly longer than my work. University is 9 to 6 with 1 hour lunch time 1:00 to 2:00 + The odd 5 to 10 min breaks during lectures, we do not have breaks between lectures.

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice on whether I should go to university - to study Computer Science with a year in industry, or study a digital and technology apprenticeship.
I'm currently at college studying Computer Science, Maths and BTEC ICT Level 3 Diploma. I'm looking to remain on a computer science related degree/role and eventually become a software developer, or something along those lines, I am not exactly sure at the moment.
So, I have sent out my UCAS application and as I said, I'm looking to study Computer Science, but I have also recently had multiple applications for Digital and Technology Apprenticeships, from three companies: SSE. Unilever and Santander. For two of them I have been going to Assessment Centres shortly.
However, I'm not overly excited about the business side of the Apprenticeships, and I've heard that they feel a lot light a 9 to 5 job, and studying a degree at the same time. But the work experience is very attractive to me, along with no dept. I do like the idea of the student life however.
I have had a lot of fighting with myself and I am not sure where I stand at the moment.
Any advice or experience is greatly appreciated, Thanks