Degree Apprenticeships: A Guide for Parents and Carers
Choosing what to do after school or college is a significant decision, and it's natural to have questions about the different routes into higher education and employment.
An apprenticeship offers an alternative to the traditional university experience. It combines paid employment with university study, allowing apprentices to gain valuable workplace experience while working towards a recognised university qualification.
At the University, our apprenticeships are developed with employers to ensure apprentices gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in today's workplace. This page explains how apprenticeships work, the benefits they offer and how you can support your young person through the application process.
Learn more at our next Open Day
Whether you know which apprenticeship is right for you or you're still exploring your options, at an Open Day, you'll talk to Programme Leaders, tour our facilities and attend one-to-one sessions with our team who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines university study with practical, workplace learning. Apprentices are employed throughout their programme, earning a salary while studying towards a bachelor's or master's degree.
Unlike traditional university courses, apprentices divide their time between work and academic study, applying what they learn directly in the workplace. This means they graduate with both a recognised qualification and valuable industry experience.
At the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×, we offer degree apprenticeships in sectors where skilled professionals are in high demand, including:
- Health and social care
- Engineering
- Construction
- Science
- Artificial Intelligence
Apprentices are employed by an organisation and spend part of their time working and part of their time learning.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Degree apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for young people who want to gain practical experience while continuing their education.
Earn while they learn
Apprentices are employed throughout their studies and receive a salary from their employer. This enables them to become financially independent while developing their career.
Graduate without tuition fees
Degree apprenticeship training is funded by employers and the Government, meaning apprentices don't pay tuition fees and won't build up tuition fee debt.
Gain real industry experience
From day one, apprentices work alongside experienced professionals, developing practical skills and building confidence in a real working environment.
Achieve a university qualification
Depending on the programme, apprentices can achieve qualifications from Level 4 through to Level 7, including bachelor's and master's degrees awarded by the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×.
Build future career prospects
By combining academic study with professional experience, apprentices graduate with the skills, experience and networks employers are looking for.
Important application deadlines
Applications are accepted throughout the year for different programme intakes.
Current application deadlines are:
- January 2027 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 27 November 2026
- March 20267 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 20 March 2027
- April 2027 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 19 March 2027
-
September 2027 Intake – The application deadline is Friday 31 July 2027
Please note these deadlines relate to employer applications and supporting documentation.
Hear from our apprentices
Our apprentices are building exciting futures across a wide range of professional fields. From Finley, who is studying BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying, to Georgia, working towards a Construction Site Management apprenticeship and Yomi, who trained as a Nursing Associate before gaining a full-time role at º£½ÇÂÒÂ× Royal NHS Hospital. Each apprentice is gaining valuable qualifications while developing real on‑the‑job experience with our partner employers. You can explore more of their journeys through apprentice case studies or watch our 2026 Apprenticeship Awards ceremony to see how we celebrate the achievements of our apprentices and the organisations that support them.
Rated Good by Ofsted
Following our 2024 inspection, Ofsted graded our apprenticeship provision as Good.
Inspectors recognised our:
- Highly qualified teaching staff
- Personalised learning approach
- High-quality facilities and specialist resources
- Strong partnerships with employers
This reflects our commitment to providing an excellent experience for apprentices throughout their studies.
How do prospective apprentices apply?
If your child/young person is not currently in employment
To begin an apprenticeship, your young person will need to be employed by a company willing to support them through the programme. The has further information on this. The website also advertises vacancies for apprentices.
Please note that the University does not hold or manage employer vacancy lists.
If your child/young person is already in employment
If your young person is already working for an organisation, their first step is to speak with the apprenticeship or training lead within their workplace. This person will be able to advise whether the employer can fund and support an apprenticeship and will make the initial contact with our Apprenticeship Services Unit.
If their employer is willing to support them, they will need to contact us directly to express their interest. Once this happens, we can begin the application process and guide both the employer and your young person through the next steps.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the contact us form
How are apprenticeships funded?
One of the most common questions parents ask is who pays for an apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship training is funded through the employer's Apprenticeship Levy or Government funding, so apprentices don't pay tuition fees.
Apprentices also receive a salary from their employer throughout their programme. This means they can gain a university qualification while avoiding the tuition fee debt associated with many traditional university courses.
Get in touch
To find out more about apprenticeships at º£½ÇÂÒÂ×, contact our Apprenticeship Services Unit by emailing apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk or filling out the contact us form.
For information on safeguarding and our British values statement, please see below:
