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university apprenticeships or just an alternative option ????

Rather than going straight to uni, I have been considering taking a gap year to travel. After this is have no ****ing clue what to do with my life.
I am edging towards a business related career and i am expecting grades around AAB or AAA at alevel but i just dont think i want to do the normal route of going to university. I have heard about part time working and studying apprenticeship schemes that i can take 6 years to complete but you have a dress from a university at the end. I just cant find any information about this online and it would be really helpful if someone could give me some advice. There is also the option of just doing a complete apprenticeship without any involvement from university but tbh i need someone to just be blunt and tell me how academic these schemes are seen as by the big wide world - If someone was to get an apprenticeship at a large company for a year is that seen as on the same level as a university degree by an employer?
I just need someone to help me out here because i don't want to end up going to university just for the sake of going to university rather than it being what i want to do however i do also understand that i might just have to go to university and get a degree in order to get a good job
Well what do you want to know about degree apprenticeships?

The Basics of Degree Apprenticeships:

So "University Apprenticeships", as you say, are commonly known as "Degree Apprenticeships" where you go to University either once a week or sometimes 1 week a term, it depends on the employer, then the rest of the time you will be working full time, usually it would be your standard 9-5, however, again it could vary with your employer. In order to do degree apprenticeships you should have at least three A-levels (Which I see you do). During the beginning of the degree apprenticeship you should be earning between 14k-18k per annum if in London but outside of London tends to be lower. At the end of your degree if your lucky, you could be earning 28k (In the degree apprenticeship I've successfully applied for, in my third year I'll be earning 28k).

If you want more information on degree apprenticeships then I'd recommend visiting these websites:

https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Apprenticeships/DegreeApprenticeships.aspx

https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/degree-apprenticeships

Original post by KatOB
If someone was to get an apprenticeship at a large company for a year is that seen as on the same level as a university degree by an employer?

No definitely not, one year at a big firm doesn't mean much (It depends on what type of apprenticeship but they are usually 2 years to 6 year long), it isn't at the same level as a university degree as an employer. If you want to get a degree whilst doing an apprenticeship then just do a degree apprenticeship? With some degree apprenticeships you also have the opportunity to secure a permanent job at the end of it.

There are different types of apprenticeships:
Intermediate Apprenticeship: Equivalent to 5 GCSE Passes
Advanced Apprenticeship: Equivalent to 2 A Level Passes
Higher Apprenticeship: Equivalent to a Foundation degree/Level 4 qualification
Degree Apprenticeship: Equivalent to a BA/BSc degree

I would say Apprenticeships are great because:
> You are gaining valuable work experience that most University undergraduates wouldn't have.

> You are also earning a wage

> There would be no university debt and you will most likely be guaranteed job at the end of the apprenticeship.

> Additionally, the job market is competitive because everyone seems to be getting degrees and although, yes, a degree can get you a good job, but so can an apprenticeship depending on what type of firm you choose. The job market is also very unpredictable.

> You have a chance to build your professional career at an earlier stage.

You say you're looking for a Business related apprenticeships, so I'll list some top firms for you to check out and websites to look for apprenticeships, some you will have to wait till 2018 entry opens:
http://www.ey.com/uk/en/careers/students/schools-opportunities

https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/sector/business-admin

https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/jobs?q=Business+Apprenticeship&l=&from=searchOnSerp

From my experience, I have chosen to go down the degree apprenticeship route this September at a top 10 global management consultancy firm in London instead of attending a top 20 university purely because I would have three years of experience at a top firm and also obtaining a degree with no debt + Permanent employment at the end.
(edited 6 years ago)

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