Degree apprenticeships - guide for employers

What do employers need to do

To recruit a degree apprentice, you must:

1. Choose an apprenticeship standard

Apprenticeship standards are developed by groups or 'trailblazers' of employers with similar employment needs.

They are available for different levels of apprenticeship. For degree apprenticeships, the standard will need to be level 6 or 7 and mandate a degree as a necessary qualification.

Search for apprenticeship standards

2. Find a higher education provider

You will then need to find a university, college or other higher education provider for the apprenticeship.

That provider must be on the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR). The APAR lists the organisations that are approved to deliver apprenticeship training to employers.

You should agree with the provider a total price for cost of training and assessment.

Search for training on GOV.UK

3. Advertise the degree apprenticeship

You can do this in the way you would advertise and recruit for any other job.

You can also advertise through the 'find an apprenticeship' service on GOV.UK

4. Apprenticeship agreements and commitment statements

Any employer hiring a degree apprentice must agree and sign an apprenticeship agreement and a commitment statement.

The agreement explains what you as an employer will do for the apprentice:

  • the length of the degree apprenticeship
  • the programme of learning and qualifications
  • terms and conditions of work

The commitment statement must cover:

  • the content and schedule of the degree programme
  • what the employer, the higher education provider and the apprentice should do
  • how to deal with queries or complaints
Get the apprenticeship agreement template
Last updated 28 September 2023
28 September 2023
Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers replaced with the apprenticeship provider and assessment register.

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