Apprenticeship (Digital and Tech Solutions) vs Finance/Economics

Hi,
I currently have received an offer to do a degree apprenticeship with Barclays, a very prestigious institution. Although super happy with it, I am quite conflicted as I have an interest in studying a more academically rigourous finance/econ based degree -- even though the role at work will be in Banking Operations despite the degree awarded being tech based (BSc Digital and Technology Solutions from Manchester Met). While my aspirations are wanting to enter into front office investment banking (asset management/sales trading), I also would appreciate the academia door to stay open as I find the subject incredibly interesting as a study. I also appreciate that most people in that field will eventually leave after 4-5 years or so due to the fact that they are simply not that happy in the job. That being said, would a niche d+ts degree be helpful if that were to happen to me and I wanted to switch fields?

Are the prospects for D+TS good for pursuing a masters degree in econ/finance at a high ranking uni later on feasible? I personally doubt that the quantitative material involved in d+ts will be rigourous enough to prepare me to get into a masters course at LSE or Oxbridge.

My alternative -- UCAS options which I'm seriously considering are to study Finance/Economics BSc at Durham(still waiting on an offer), or Royal Holloway University (not nearly as prestigious but i like the campus and department very much). at least this way I'll be more able to further build skills and enter the job market in a more traditional route. Then again at the price of heavy student debt that'll take a decade to pay off in the best case scenario :biggrin:

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What do you think? Please let me know as some new perspectives would be much appreciated!

Reply 1

Ethereal001

16

Original post by Joejaz

Hi,
I currently have received an offer to do a degree apprenticeship with Barclays, a very prestigious institution. Although super happy with it, I am quite conflicted as I have an interest in studying a more academically rigourous finance/econ based degree -- even though the role at work will be in Banking Operations despite the degree awarded being tech based (BSc Digital and Technology Solutions from Manchester Met). While my aspirations are wanting to enter into front office investment banking (asset management/sales trading), I also would appreciate the academia door to stay open as I find the subject incredibly interesting as a study. I also appreciate that most people in that field will eventually leave after 4-5 years or so due to the fact that they are simply not that happy in the job. That being said, would a niche d+ts degree be helpful if that were to happen to me and I wanted to switch fields?

Are the prospects for D+TS good for pursuing a masters degree in econ/finance at a high ranking uni later on feasible? I personally doubt that the quantitative material involved in d+ts will be rigourous enough to prepare me to get into a masters course at LSE or Oxbridge.

My alternative -- UCAS options which I'm seriously considering are to study Finance/Economics BSc at Durham(still waiting on an offer), or Royal Holloway University (not nearly as prestigious but i like the campus and department very much). at least this way I'll be more able to further build skills and enter the job market in a more traditional route. Then again at the price of heavy student debt that'll take a decade to pay off in the best case scenario :biggrin:

.

What do you think? Please let me know as some new perspectives would be much appreciated!

Hi i understand your confusion so let me offer some advice as someone doing an apprenticeship in D+T. At the end of the day, a degree is still a degree. Employers will just skim through your degree title and look at your experience- something university won't offer. At Barclays, you can have the leniency of exploring different departments as well as the experience of working at a prestigious bank under your belt if you chose to move companies after your apprenticeship. In 2024, University just isnt the correct route anymore so don't go with the majority, post-graduation job pool is very very low and even more competitive than apprenticeship job pool. The fact you got an apprenticeship offer at Barclays is too good of an opportunity to decline. You can always do a Master's at a prestigious university afterwards. I know someone at Vodafone who did the D+T solutions SWE pathway DA and now they're doing their master's at Oxford so it's possible. Good luck with choosing and let me know what you end up picking :smile:

Reply 2

Joejaz

OP

4

Thanks for the kind words ethereal, sounds amazing youve helped a lot!

Might I ask what course at Oxford he's in? My main concern is switching subjects from technology to economics since there's quite a bit of difference in taught content.

Reply 3

Ethereal001

16

Original post by Joejaz

Thanks for the kind words ethereal, sounds amazing youve helped a lot!

Might I ask what course at Oxford he's in? My main concern is switching subjects from technology to economics since there's quite a bit of difference in taught content.

not sure but check out oxford requirements for your chosen masters course and see if a degree in D+T solutions will match up to it

Apprenticeship (Digital and Tech Solutions) vs Finance/Economics

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