How will a gap year affect my chances of a degree apprenticeship?

1

I am in year 13 and I want to do a degree apprenticeship instead of going to uni. Unfortunately due to late information, difficulty finding work experience and just not feeling like my CV is where I want it to be, I feel as though that if I apply this year my chances of getting one are slim. My plan was to apply to them anyway and hope for the best but if I don't get any then I would just take a gap year and use the time to improve my CV. Degree apprenticeships seem to be open year round and there are of course times in the year that a lot of them open at once so I figured that the gap year might not even be a whole year. My only issue is that one of my teachers said that a gap year would make me look less desirable to employers and that if I take it then I am hurting my chances of getting a degree apprenticeship. Obviously I can't just ignore what he has said because I don't really have much experience with degree apprenticeships so there is chance he is right. I just wanted to know if what he said is completely true and if so what should I do if I am not prepared for applications this year?

Reply 1

sophieee789

14

cant give you much information but, ask the employers, find their emails or go to a careers event they host. probably best to do something if you take a gap yeat though, just so if you get to the interview you have something to talk about. you could also message some people who are doing degree apprenticeships on linkedin and ask them questions, you may just get a reply :smile:

Reply 2

Mara1680

18

Original post

by TopeF

I am in year 13 and I want to do a degree apprenticeship instead of going to uni. Unfortunately due to late information, difficulty finding work experience and just not feeling like my CV is where I want it to be, I feel as though that if I apply this year my chances of getting one are slim. My plan was to apply to them anyway and hope for the best but if I don't get any then I would just take a gap year and use the time to improve my CV. Degree apprenticeships seem to be open year round and there are of course times in the year that a lot of them open at once so I figured that the gap year might not even be a whole year. My only issue is that one of my teachers said that a gap year would make me look less desirable to employers and that if I take it then I am hurting my chances of getting a degree apprenticeship. Obviously I can't just ignore what he has said because I don't really have much experience with degree apprenticeships so there is chance he is right. I just wanted to know if what he said is completely true and if so what should I do if I am not prepared for applications this year?

It's not about gay year or no gap year - it's about what you do with that time.

If you go into an interview in a years time and they ask you what have you been up to for the last 12 months since you're not in full time education or employment and you tell the interviewer you were just watching tiktoks and staring at your ceiling then you bet it will hurt your chances. If you instead invest that time into something productive (and I am using this as a vague term, because this can be anything from travelling, working a job, volunteering, to DIY projects, whatever) - generally as long as you can prove that you spent that time developing yourself in some way, shape or form, the gap year will not diminish your chances, it may actually improve them.

Reply 3

saronth

2

although taking a gap year may sound scary, degree apprenticeships and universities like to see what you’ve done in the gap year, provided there’s a bit of relevance. also a lot of degree apprentices, especially those who apply for competitive ones, do take gap years to apply for more apprenticeships and have stronger applications. I would say if you do take the gap year, try your best to find some sort of work experience and work on your applications. as a back up i would apply for university

Reply 4

Ilborschhh

10

I wouldn't listen to your teacher. I know a few mates of mine who are on a gap year and have already got offers from EY, KPMG and Deloitte. As long as you don't play Xbox for the whole year but do a lot of courses, work experiences, volunteering etc. your chances will be even higher, because you would have really got CV and a lot of experience to talk about during interviews. Good luck brother!

Reply 5

Riwa

4

Original post

by TopeF

I am in year 13 and I want to do a degree apprenticeship instead of going to uni. Unfortunately due to late information, difficulty finding work experience and just not feeling like my CV is where I want it to be, I feel as though that if I apply this year my chances of getting one are slim. My plan was to apply to them anyway and hope for the best but if I don't get any then I would just take a gap year and use the time to improve my CV. Degree apprenticeships seem to be open year round and there are of course times in the year that a lot of them open at once so I figured that the gap year might not even be a whole year. My only issue is that one of my teachers said that a gap year would make me look less desirable to employers and that if I take it then I am hurting my chances of getting a degree apprenticeship. Obviously I can't just ignore what he has said because I don't really have much experience with degree apprenticeships so there is chance he is right. I just wanted to know if what he said is completely true and if so what should I do if I am not prepared for applications this year?

Don't worry at all, I've received 2 L7 offers and I'm literally resitting my a levels. My only wex was my part time job; it was fine because i was able to apply all my skills to audit. I'd say try getting a job and attending events, just any opportunity to work in the area you'd like to go into. Try applying now and reflect on how far you get so you can learn from them.

Reply 6

bluegray

14

Original post

by TopeF

I am in year 13 and I want to do a degree apprenticeship instead of going to uni. Unfortunately due to late information, difficulty finding work experience and just not feeling like my CV is where I want it to be, I feel as though that if I apply this year my chances of getting one are slim. My plan was to apply to them anyway and hope for the best but if I don't get any then I would just take a gap year and use the time to improve my CV. Degree apprenticeships seem to be open year round and there are of course times in the year that a lot of them open at once so I figured that the gap year might not even be a whole year. My only issue is that one of my teachers said that a gap year would make me look less desirable to employers and that if I take it then I am hurting my chances of getting a degree apprenticeship. Obviously I can't just ignore what he has said because I don't really have much experience with degree apprenticeships so there is chance he is right. I just wanted to know if what he said is completely true and if so what should I do if I am not prepared for applications this year?

loads of people start degree apprenticeships at different points, there's some people in my year in their 20s to 30s. I mean I can't say exactly because i'm not an employer but i doubt it would effect your chances especially if you're using it to improve your cv and such

How will a gap year affect my chances of a degree apprenticeship?

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