What is a degree apprenticeship? 

A Degree Apprenticeship is a great way to combine paid employment with studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. You will earn a salary and pay no tuition fees, so you get to earn, learn, and progress!

Work and study are typically split 80/20 – 80% of your time working on the job and 20% studying towards your degree, likely to be mainly at university. This could be one day a week or done in bigger chunks such as a week at a time, depending on the employer and role.

As well as being offered the knowledge and skills you’d expect from a degree, we have experts in work-based learning to help you maximise the impact from your study and workplace. Assessments can include reports, problem-solving activities, presentations and in-company projects, all helping you to integrate academic study with on-the-job training.

You can explore apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam through the following links:

UCAS has also created a useful video below discussing the pros and cons of Degree Apprenticeships!

 Finding a degree apprenticeship role

There are a couple of different ways you can find an apprenticeship provider. One is to search the Government’s National Apprenticeship Database for positions that have been developed by companies in collaboration with training providers.

The other way is to explore the option of your current employer taking on an apprentice as part of a course developed by a training provider, or approaching a new employer to see if they’d be willing.

You can also use UCAS’ Career Finder to search for Degree Apprenticeship opportunities.

Sheffield Hallam can help, and our staff will be happy to talk with you and your employer. We can advise on eligibility for funding as well. You can email business@shu.ac.uk to review your options.

Application tips

Applications can take different forms. You may need to submit a CV and cover letter, complete an application form, or make a speculative application if you’re approaching an employer. Take a look at the below links for guidance on the different forms of applying:

We pulled out some tops tips for Degree Apprentices to consider when making applications:

  • Get clued up on happenings in the sector. This shows you’re aware of opportunities and challenges they’re facing, and that you know your stuff!
  • Talk about the positive reasons for choosing an apprenticeship.
  • Get a feel for projects they’re working on and areas of expansion. Then sell yourself on the missing piece of the puzzle.
  • Use the STAR technique to build examples for how you demonstrate your ability for each element of the job specification.
  • Think about transferable skills. Some things may not seem directly relevant, but think about what skills you have and what this demonstrates.

Careers & Employability Advice and Guidance

You can also access Careers & Employability support from our expert advisers.

Employability Advisers can help with any general questions about careers and work experience including CVs, applications and interviews, or to know more about the support available for finding a position.

Guidance appointments with our Senior Employability Advisers are also there to help you make big decisions. If you can’t choose between options, or want to have a clear plan for what happens after you’ve completed studies, book into a Guidance appointment.

Talk to a member of the SHU Progress team to help arrange an appointment.

Finding accommodation

Working out where to live can be a bit trickier for Degree Apprentices as they are unable to apply for halls of residence. This is probably for the best, as working full time means you’ll have very different lifestyles!

If you already know people going to the same university, you could try and organise a house-share. But again, remember the lifestyle differences and consider council tax. Students are exempt but you’ll have to pay as you’re earning an income. As the only eligible person you’d get a single person discount of 25%, but this is still a significant sum!

You can look at moving into a house-share with people you don’t know, which you can find on websites like Spareroom. Make sure you meet the people to check you get along and your lifestyles are a good match, as well as view the property in advance and check the rental agreement.

If you’re thinking of finding somewhere to rent yourself, a good place to look for private listings is this search engine of Snug-accredited properties created by Sheffield Hallam.

Snug is a partnership that includes both Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield. Properties and landlords are awarded the accreditation if they meet the minimum standard requirements – so it’s a safe way to avoid dodgy landlords and houses in disrepair!

Sheffield Hallam’s Student Union Advice Centre has loads of handy resources for figuring out accommodation options:

If you need advice and guidance on where to live outside of Sheffield, try contacting the university most local to you. They should be able to give you some tips on where to start looking!

Travel

It may be the case that your job is based outside of Sheffield and you need to commute in for your training days. Take a look at Travel South Yorkshire and National Rail Enquiries to browse services.

Be sure to check out travel passes and railcards, you’ll likely be eligible for some savings!

Support services

It’s important to know that all Sheffield Hallam support services are available to Degree Apprentices. The below image shows what your support will look like whilst you study.

There are also specialist support services that you can access. Take a look at the Support whilst studying at Sheffield Hallam University page.

You can also access all advice and support services available at the Students Union. Take a look at this webpage for how you can get in touch with the advice centre.

UCAS also has a series of webpage detailing specialist support for students taking on Degree Apprenticeships: