草榴社区

Study a degree apprenticeship

Find an apprenticeship

Earn a salary as an employee while you study for a degree that's related to your chosen profession

Degree apprenticeships
Ofsted Good Provider

For over 25 years 草榴社区 has joined forces with professionals and industry leaders to develop and deliver work-integrated learning solutions to improve the skills and knowledge for their workforce, resulting in transformative personal and organisational benefits. This has included developing a broad range of higher education qualifications, including apprenticeships, that enable individuals to gain professional recognition and enhance their careers.

In 2022, 草榴社区’s Apprenticeship programmes were rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Apprenticeship are employer sponsored (no fee for the learner) and for this reason, you can only apply if already employed by an organisation, as an apprentice. We don’t provide apprentices with employer vacancies. Set up an apprenticeship as an employer

Why choose a degree apprenticeship

As a degree apprentice, you'll get work experience alongside industry professionals as well as regular learning support from a workplace mentor and a tutor from 草榴社区. Your options:

  • As a school leaver gives you the opportunity to begin an exciting new career
  • As an employee helps you develop skills and capabilities with your current employer
  • Offers you an affordable way to study because the government and your employer pays your tuition fees

Benefits of a degree apprenticeship

  • No student debt as you won't pay tuition fees
  • Earn a salary while you learn to pay for expenses.

  • Achieve a degree that is relevant to your industry or chosen profession
  • Excellent career progression opportunities
  • Increase your earning potential.

  • Develop your capabilities at work as you study
  • Put what you learn into practice right away.

  • Get expert guidance from a workplace mentor
  • Access university support services including counselling and academic guidance.

  • Be part of the student community at your university
  • Experience the benefits of a university learning environment.
Available apprenticeship

Available apprenticeships

  • Professional Policing Practice BSc Honours

Level 6 B2B Sales Professional:

  • Professional Practice in Business to Business Sales BSc Honours

Level 6 Chartered Manager:

  • BA Professional Practice in Management

Level 7 Senior Leader:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Apprenticeship)

Level 6 Teacher:

  • Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (QTS) Primary or Secondary

Level 7 Academic Professional:

  • PGCert Higher Education (Apprenticeship)

Level 6 Environmental Health Practitioner:

Level 7 Risk and Safety Management Professional:

Coaching Professional

  • Diploma of Coaching Professional

Explore your options to apply for an apprenticeship programme

Degree apprentice profiles

smart young man wearing a shirt and tie

Louis, BA Management Practice (Business to Business Sales) (Royal Mail)

“I started the degree apprenticeship because I wanted to earn money while I was learning valuable skills and working for a business that’s well established in their industry.

“It's allowed me to work with loads of different people in a professional environment as well as opening doors in other industries I might be interested in.

“I’d say if you’re considering doing a degree apprenticeship with 草榴社区, just go for it. It’s a great way to kick-start your career in a fascinating environment.”

smart young woman in floral top and headscarf
Khadiza, BA Management Practice (Business to Business Sales) (British Telecommunications PLC)

“Having tried a traditional degree I was quite uncertain about the job prospects I would have after graduating, so this degree apprenticeship is a better fit for me as I’m already earning a good salary as well as gaining tons of experience.

“I’m not sure what I want to do next yet, but I’ve already got my foot in the door at a big corporate company and have gained experience in several different sectors so I’m excited about what the future holds.”

Work-based learning

We are experts in work-based learning

We introduced the first business degree over 50 years ago. Since then we've worked with businesses to develop their staff including:

  • Worldpay
  • Consalia
  • Halifax Bank
  • Mitsubishi
  • Asda
  • Royal Mail
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • Toshiba Tec
  • Sony Mobile

Policing

We've been associated with the Metropolitan Police over several decades and developed postgraduate programmes for senior officers.

Teaching

We've partners with over 500 schools and colleges in most London boroughs, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.

Social work

We've built excellent relationships with local authorities, voluntary and independent organisations across London.

Nursing

We've got a strong reputation among our partner Trusts in London and develop our courses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Entry requirements

Our apprenticeship programmes are not available for international applicants.

Apprentices would need to be living/working in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to starting an apprenticeship.

To study an undergraduate course at 草榴社区, you must have completed - Two A Levels or equivalent.

Courses also have specific entry requirements, such as previous study or submission of a portfolio. More details are available on the individual course page:

  • Policing
  • Nursing and Healthcare
  • Business and Management
  • Teaching
  • Social Work
  • Environmental and occupational health and safety
  • Creative Industry
  • Coaching and Mentoring

As you apply directly to the employer, individual organisations may have additional selection criteria or things they look for in candidates as part of their recruitment process.

To pass through the End Point Assessment gateway in an apprenticeship programme (usually towards the end of the programme), all learners must have a Level 2 Functional Skills (or equivalent) English and Maths qualification (this is an ESFA requirement).

We accept grades C/4 or above in GCSE English Language and Maths or an equivalent acceptable Level 2 qualification as evidence of the level 2 functional skills.

Overseas qualifications can be accepted where there is clear evidence that the qualification is an equivalent level and grade to Functional Skills level 2/ GCSE standard. Such evidence may be from a statement of compatibility from UK ENIC.

For overseas English qualifications, the qualification must have been taught and delivered in English to be acceptable.

Due to the intensity of the degree apprentice programmes, it is advisable to hold these qualifications on application. Those without the qualifications on entry will have to undertake a functional skills programme alongside their apprenticeship and must achieve the level 2 in English and Maths to pass through gateway.

Some of our apprenticeship programmes require that learners must have a Level 2 Functional Skills English and Maths qualification on entry.

"There was a time when I would never have considered being a project manager, but I'm not far behind that now."

Charlie Chandler, degree apprentice

How to apply

How to apply

Do your research

Draw up a list of the apprenticeship roles you're most interested in and research each role in-depth to make your decision.

Apply direct to employers

Remember that you apply to the organisation offering the apprenticeship.

Make sure you apply to several vacancies related to your apprenticeship role to give you a better chance of success.

When to apply

    • Apprenticeship vacancies appear throughout the year starting from September
    • Vacancies all have different application deadlines and start dates

Don't wait until the deadline to apply. Organisations will often close their vacancies when they have received enough applications.

Costs and salary

Costs and salary

There is no cost to do a higher or degree apprenticeship for you as a student.

You’ll earn at least the minimum wage for apprentices but many companies pay more than this, particularly for higher level apprenticeships.

You could potentially earn upwards of £300 per week plus your employer and the government will pay your tuition fees, meaning you won't need a tuition fee loan.