Information for Prospective Apprentices

Discover what a Degree Apprenticeship is and why it might be the right fit for you.

If you are passionate about starting your professional career but would still like the opportunity to gain a degree from a leading university, then one of our Degree Apprenticeship programmes could be for you.

What is a Degree Apprenticeship?

Degree Apprenticeships are a new type of study programme. These programmes are being developed by employers, universities, and professional bodies working in partnership. They combine full-time employment whilst studying part-time at a university. As an apprentice, you would be employed throughout the programme, and spend part of your time at university and the rest with your employer.

How do Degree Apprenticeships work?

Most of your time as an apprentice will be in-company, where you will be expected to complete your studies, including course assignments, alongside the work and workplace training provided by your employer. Many companies recruit straight onto Degree Apprenticeship courses – others sponsor existing employees. These courses are designed to meet Skills England apprenticeship standards to allow companies to use funding from the government's apprenticeship levy.

Why choose a Degree Apprenticeship?

We asked some of our Degree Apprentices why they chose this route. Hear what they have to say and their top tips for applying.

You also might want to visit the WMG Degree Apprenticeships playlistLink opens in a new window on YouTube to hear from some of our other apprentices.

Hear from our apprentices

We think apprenticeships are great! But don’t just take our word for it - here is what some of our apprentices have to say:

Simone

Illack

Oriana

View more videos on our playlist

Steps to becoming an apprentice

Step 1: Find an apprenticeship Step 2: Apply for the apprenticeship

To be accepted onto a Degree Apprenticeship programme, you will need to apply directly to the employer. They will ask you what your current qualifications are as well as more specific questions relating to the area of study you would like to complete. You should also speak about your passion for the subject and how pursuing a Degree Apprenticeship will help you to achieve your career goals.

Step 3: Assessment centres and interviews

You will probably be invited to an interview, an assessment centre or in some cases both. Remember to do your research and come prepared. The interviewers will want to make sure that you will fit in with their organisation and find out how you envisage your future career progressing.

When answering interview questions you could try to use the STAR technique, it will help you structure your answers.

Although the STAR technique can’t help with all questions, such as ‘Tell me about yourself’, It can certainly help with questions which start ‘Tell me about a time when…’

S = Situation

Give some general background to the situation you found yourself in. You don’t have to go into too much detail, but make sure you are clear.

T = Task

What was the brief or project? What was the problem you had to solve or the task you were given?

A = Action

Talk about what decisions you made and why you took them. Include any skills or qualities you demonstrated.

R = Result

What was the result of the project or situation? What were your achievements? Was there anything you would do differently next time? How did you feel about how the process had gone?

Step 4: Receive your offer Step 5: Start your apprenticeship

Elements of Degree Apprenticeships

Work-based learning

Putting your learning into practice

Bachelor’s Degree

Gain a full Bachelor’s Degree with the same academic rigour as a traditional degree

Access to Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

To support you between modules

Develop a portfolio/learning log

Record work-based learning to feed into ongoing reviews and final assessments

Format

Short block release

Duration

4 years normally

Personal learning plan

Based on a training needs analysis that you will complete with your Apprenticeship Tutor

End-Point Assessment

Demonstrate your knowledge, skills and behaviours from your Degree Apprenticeship standard

Case study
"The perfect combination of academic study and real-world application"

Hear from Isaac, BEng Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Graduate, who shares the range of skills he has developed through his Degree Apprenticeship and the impact this experience has had on his career.

Explore our Degree Apprenticeship courses

BEng Applied Professional Engineering

BSc Digital and Technology Solutions

Why WMG?
About us

Warwick is ranked 8^th in the UK (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026) and we have a reputation for developing and delivering high-quality education programmes. We have worked with leading employers to develop industry-relevant programmes and have delivered these to over 800 apprentices studying against a Degree Apprenticeship standard.

The programmes we have developed with these organisations offer you a high-quality education and ensure that you get the right knowledge and skills to apply directly to your job, which organisations want.

15 Dec

For employers

Find out more about how we can help you to attract emerging talent or upskill and develop existing staff

Find out more

Courses

View our Degree Apprenticeships programmes

View Courses

Further information

Information for prospective apprentices from the University of Warwick

Learn more

Student portals

For existing undergraduates Link opens in a new window

For existing postgraduatesLink opens in a new window

Warwick Manufacturing Group