Apprenticeship vs Cambridge

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.

I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression

and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.

but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.

what do you guys think?

Reply 1

Mohammed_2000

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

Do the apprenticeship over the Degree. Because Degree are Pointless.

Reply 2

Bookworm784

Is it a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship? Getting any degree by Apprenticeship has to be a first choice.

Reply 3

rmoyo

Original post

by Bookworm784

Is it a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship? Getting any degree by Apprenticeship has to be a first choice.

It’s a Level 6 with a degree in Digital and Technology solutions from UEL

Reply 4

z4k1r4h

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

Congrats for both offers thats a great achievement! Lowkey I would say go to Cambridge because as you said the Cambridge name can deffo open a lot of doors for you due to its amazing prestige, Im sure geog will give you a lot of transferable skills as well and you seem capable so im sure opportunities will find you, Uni is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the working world will always be there for you but let us know what you choose because they are both as great!

Reply 5

Tootwittoowoo

I’d go with the apprenticeship. Whilst a Cambridge degree carries some weight, a funded degree and early career journey in a top company is worth so much. There is nothing stopping you from applying for an Oxbridge masters in future. This door isn’t closed to you but taking the apprenticeship gives you another option without costing you anything.

Reply 6

lanky_giraffe

I’d go with Cambridge; make lots of friends, go to fancy balls and formals, and just enjoy life really.

Life’s not all about money and jobs. If you can get the apprenticeship I’m sure you’ll be able to get a job at them after Cambridge.

But it’s up to you. If you would prefer to stay out of debt and get some solid work experience that’s perfectly acceptable too.

Reply 7

Zhfiakdbsj

Original post

by uzannkicustard

im in a similar boat; deciding between accenture or imperial 😵*💫. theyre both very good choices to have though so no matter what u pick ull be good!!

Ngl if I were you I’d take imperial, Accenture would be lightwork to get a grad offer from with Imperial on your CV

Reply 8

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

The Cambridge option will give you many more career options. I understand the debt, but Accenture Tech apprenticeship doesn't have any strong reputation, and after 3 years will still leave you in a 'meh' professional role with 'meh' professional prospects. Not bad, but not stellar, unless you yourself are stellar in the role and a real rising star. Cambridge, if you use the opportunities effectively, will set you up for much more diverse options. Over the course of a career, going to Cam and starting 3 years later, but on a stronger career trajectory is more likely to be professionally and financially stronger.

These sorts of apprenticeships are new, and no-one knows how apprentices will be rated against degree holders in their mid-career roles, say 28-38 years old.

If your other options were mid-rated unis, then there would be a more difficult comparison to make. But apprenticeship v Cambridge is a different balance of potential, and there is a lot unknown about the apprenticeship.

Reply 9

Disperately

Degree apprenticeships do not have the same academic rigor as a standard degree. You would struggle to get into a good masters course, let alone oxbridge, after a L6 apprenticeship as someone else suggested.

Reply 10

Rchandraahhh

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

Deffo Cambridge, icl for certain sectors eg finance which u said, they don't care what u study all that much but they do care where u study, u might not have debt if u take the apprenticeship but ull have a less academically rigourous qualification and probably not even that much better progression, maybe if it was a different uni u had an offer from the apprenticeship would be worth it but stacked up to a Cambridge offer no way would i take the apprenticeship.

Reply 11

Chris2892

Original post

by rmoyo

It’s a Level 6 with a degree in Digital and Technology solutions from UEL

For a degree apprenticeship, the quality of the employer matters, not so much the university.

I did mine in mechanical engineering with a big name company. Paid for a lot of expensive training, certifications, business travel, and equipment/software access. My uni didn’t seem that invested in undergrads.

I’d still pick Cambridge over a less reputable or generally unknown employer.

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 12

rmoyo

Original post

by Chris2892

For a degree apprenticeship, the quality of the employer matters, not so much the university.
I did mine in mechanical engineering with a big name company. Paid for a lot of expensive training, certifications, business travel, and equipment/software access. My uni didn’t seem that invested in undergrads.
I’d still pick Cambridge over a less reputable or generally unknown employer.

that’s the thing idk if accenture counts as a ‘big name employer’, i think it is as far as consulting goes, but also it’s hard to compare with other firms ie mckinsey as it is specialised more in tech consulting

Reply 13

nwar

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

I’d pick Cambridge because it leaves a lot more doors open for you, unless you’re 100% sure you want to work at Accenture/relevant fields. Congrats on all your offers!

Reply 14

Flamingo10

Original post

by rmoyo

It’s a Level 6 with a degree in Digital and Technology solutions from UEL

You can't compare a degree from Cambridge with a degree from UEL. Not all degrees are the same standard. Some are much easier than others. Cambridge is one of the hard ones. As with anything the fewer there are of something the more that something is valued. There are lots of degrees the standard of one from UEL.

Reply 15

rammerst

Original post

by rmoyo

I recently got an offer from accenture for their tech apprenticeship but i also have an offer from cambridge to study geography.
I don’t know which to pick but i’m leaning more towards the apprenticeship because
1.) money
2.) practical experience
3.) faster progression
and also i think it would be a lot harder to get internships and stuff in the tech or finance sector which i’m more interested in. i see a lot of banks and other countries asking for finance- related degrees and i feel like a geo degree will limit me.
but also cambridge could also open a lot of doors but it’ll probably be the same amount of opportunity as an apprenticeship just with a lot of debt.
what do you guys think?

If u want to work in consultancy then defo do DA, if ur not so sure do Camb as it leaves a lot of doors open and is much more versatile (the degree from the DA is pointless, it’s the company and exposure that matter)

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