How to choose between university or an apprenticeship

I am often asked how to choose between going to university or doing an apprenticeship – often by 18-year-olds just about to finish their A levels or college courses, as well as by parents who are considering the benefits and costs of both options.  

So what’s the answer? Well of course it depends on several factors. Currently, higher education and uni are still the most popular option (according to the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency) but apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as a viable alternative path to future employment – if you can find a good one.  

What are the differences and benefits of degrees versus apprenticeships? 

Going to university has lots of benefits, from the opportunity to stay in learning for longer (usually three or four years) giving students more time to understand themselves, their strengths and explore their ideas for future career options. 

There’s a wide range of degrees for young people to consider and choices about where they study/live, whether they continue to live at home or move away to gain the independence and life experiences as well as acquiring lots of transferable skills for the future job market. There are lots of degree courses which don’t need you to be on campus every day, so there’s also the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience through a part-time job (as well as earning money to fund a social life!). 

Showing your ability to study at degree level demonstrates lots of skills that will help in future employment. It can also really help you broaden your friendship circle and can help you start to build your future professional network. As an example, a friend’s son has already managed to secure summer work experience through a fellow student he met at uni.  

The major downside is the cost. Going to uni means paying tuition fees and probably getting loans towards your living expenses. These don’t have to repaid until you are earning a certain amount, and you pay a small percentage back over 40 years. Many people suggest thinking about this as more of a graduate tax than a debt.   

If you do choose university, you can explore options for a work placement as part of what’s referred to as a sandwich degree to gain real-world experience.  

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and have no upper age limit. All apprenticeship vacancies will state what the entry requirements are for the job roles being advertised. Even if you have a higher-level qualification, you can still consider if an apprenticeship is right for you. 

Completing an apprenticeship has different benefits. The value of on-the-job training alongside studying is huge (especially if you are the kind of person who learns by doing) and many industries have used them for a number of years as a way to bring in new talent. They are particularly popular in industries like construction and engineering, but now more companies are engaging with them and offering entry level opportunities in a much wider range of roles. Apprenticeships are now available in accounting, law, HR, logistics/transport, IT, nursing and marketing/creative sectors too.  

An apprenticeship is super cost effective as you don’t have the tuition fees or student debt from living away from home that you have at uni, as these costs are covered by the apprenticeship levy paid by employers. You get to earn a salary (although a reduced rate of pay initially) while you learn and gain a qualification. Degree apprenticeships are an increasingly popular option, which means you can earn while you learn and still get a degree. You’ll even be entitled to student discounts and can have an NUS card too.  

However, there are still downsides to undertaking an apprenticeship. You will need to be able to balance both working (around 80% of your time) and studying (the other 20% of your working week). You will be an employee, and your manager will have expectations of what you deliver as well as having to meet your course deadlines and pass exams. Apprenticeships are designed to upskill you for a specific role, which means what you’re studying can be less transferable than a broader degree. And higher level degree apprenticeships which result in a degree can take up to six years to complete.  

Don’t think an apprenticeship is the easy option. The entry requirements can still be very challenging as employers want to recruit high calibre people who will cope with the demands and see it through. Securing a quality apprenticeship can be super-competitive and involve a rigorous process. More and more companies are improving their apprenticeship offerings and you will find opportunities at both small and larger companies. 

What about future employment – are apprenticeships and degrees valued equally? 

If you’ve gained a degree – whether through studying at university full time or via an apprenticeship, it should have equal value for a future employer. Apprenticeships which result in other qualifications can also be valuable in your industry.  

When considering what would be the best route for you, different sectors may favour one route over another, so it’s worth factoring this in to your thinking. With prestigious companies like EY and KPMG now offering apprenticeships, it’s clear that the right one will have value to even the most selective of organisations.  

We got a view from Linda Hill, who is the Priority Projects Unit Coordinator at Skills England. Linda explained that apprenticeships are created and assessed against employer-designed and approved occupational standards that set out the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to be fully competent in a job role. 

Skills England has mapped more than 700 standards on its occupational maps. They illustrate the various roles that can be pursued through apprenticeships and demonstrate how they connect at different levels to outline career progression pathways. They are particularly useful if you know you want to work in a specific sector but are unsure about what type of job roles may be available.  

How do you choose between a degree or an apprenticeship? 

The answer really depends on where you think your future career path lies, what will be right for you and your learning style, and what apprenticeships are available.  

There are still some roles where a university education is the only way to access them – if you want to be a doctor or a vet, for example. If you know the kind of career or specific role you want, you will benefit from having clear goals and a defined path. If there are good quality apprenticeships available for this sector then it could be a win-win solution meaning you get the experience, a salary and a recognised degree all at the same time.  

Often, I encourage students to look at both options. Applying for university and securing a place keeps it open as an option even if you decide to defer for a year, maybe to take some time out travelling or working for a bit to give you longer to decide. You can explore the options for apprenticeships at the same time, bearing in mind these can be advertised at different times of the year too. 

When considering your options, talk to a wide range of people and visit both university open days and apprenticeship fairs so that you can talk to people who do them, hear their stories to decide which might be the best for you. 

A Level 6 apprenticeship enables you to achieve a qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. However, these are different from a degree apprenticeships, where you earn a degree as part of the program. There are also apprenticeships at Level 4 and Level 5 (equivalent to year one and two of a degree) across many sectors that are highly-regarded by employers – examples of these include technician scientist, data analyst, junior animator, space engineering technician, insurance professional, dev-ops engineer, early years lead practitioner, counter fraud investigator and many others.   

Even if you have Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels it might still be worth considering a Level 3 apprenticeship as a way to get your career underway because successfully completing the apprenticeship can open up opportunities to access higher education and higher-level apprenticeships.  

Explore the options online 

You’ll find all university degree courses available one the UCAS website. For apprenticeships, use the Government’s apprenticeship search service or find higher-level and degree apprenticeships also on the UCAS website. You can also see them promoted on employer’s early careers websites or on online job boards. 

If you want to help to weigh up the options and choose between going to university or doing an apprenticeship or you would like support with writing a personal statement and your CV, book a free consultation by sending me an email.