About higher and degree apprenticeships

The UK government is committed to expanding the number, range, and quality of apprenticeships that offer training at higher and degree level. As part of this commitment, the government is developing a new range of apprenticeship Standards, which will be paid for through the Apprenticeship Levy.

An apprenticeship is defined through a Standard which states the knowledge, skills, and behaviours the apprentice needs to develop during their programme of study. These Standards are developed by the industry to meet the needs of that sector, but we can tailor the delivery method of our courses to meet your employee's and your business needs.

UWE Bristol will be focusing on higher and degree apprenticeships at:

• Level 4 (equivalent to the first year of a degree)
• Level 5 (Foundation Degree)
• Level 6 (Bachelor's Degree)
• Level 7 (Master's Degree).

If you are interested in lower-level Standards, we may be able to redirect you to one of our further education college partners.

For more information view the approved Standards on the Gov.uk website.

More Standards will be approved over time.

The educational part of the apprenticeship will be based on a UWE Bristol higher and degree courses relevant to the apprenticeship. The course will be delivered in a range of formats including day release, block release and blended learning. Not all courses will be available in all formats.

As apprenticeships are work-based qualifications, on-the-job training is undertaken at the employee’s workplace.

A higher and degree apprenticeship with UWE Bristol can take anything from 18 months to five years, depending on the course.

There are rules governing who can be an apprentice. The main ones are:

• the apprentice must be aged 16 or above on the first day of their apprenticeship
• the apprentice must be employed in a real job; they may be an existing employee or a new hire
• the apprentice must work towards achieving an approved apprenticeship Standard
• the apprenticeship training must be a minimum of a 12 months, which includes practical elements of the course, prior to entering the Gateway and End-Point Assessment periods
• the apprentice must spend typically an average of six hours per week, subject to course requirements, doing off-the-job training such as studying
• the apprentice must spend at least 50% of their working time in England.

The National Apprenticeship Service can provide all the information you need to know in order to employ an apprentice.

To find out how to become an apprentice visit Gov.uk.

As an employer you will have all the normal statutory employer responsibilities for the apprentice.

Apprentices must spend at least six hours per week of their contracted working hours completing off-the-job training. It can be flexible and does not have to mean one day out of the workplace every week. The training time is achieved in a number of different ways, including face to face delivery at university, online learning and work-based projects and activities.

In addition, you will need to agree to provide paid time off from work for study, provide in-company support/mentoring for the apprentice and collaborate with UWE Bristol during the recruitment phase to ensure the apprentice meets your job/employment criteria and the University’s academic entrance requirements.

Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for an English apprenticeship. Training is undertaken by the apprentice during the apprentice’s normal contracted working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of the approved apprenticeship the learner is undertaking, all the way through to completion of their end-point assessment.

The Apprenticeship Agreement and Training Plan, supplied by UWE Bristol, must be signed by the apprentice and the employer on or before the start of the apprenticeship.

Our team at UWE Bristol will support and help facilitate the apprenticeship process.

If you have any questions, please email our Degree Apprenticeships Team at apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call +44 (0)117 328 4888.

Employers are able to develop a Standard that defines the knowledge and skills. This process is managed by the Department for Education.

If you cannot find a suitable Standard, please email our Degree Apprenticeships Team at apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk. We will be happy to help coordinate local employers so that a Standard can be developed and a suitable academic course designed to meet the requirements of the Standard.

Yes. Many of UWE Bristol's higher and degree courses are accredited by relevant professional bodies and we will also be working to secure accreditation for degree apprenticeships.