Degree Apprenticeship Hub

This is your “one stop” guide for degree apprenticeships — what they are, who they’re for, how to find vacancies, how to apply like a pro, and what to do if you don’t get one first time.

If you still need more guidance, speak to a degree apprentice.

Start here Is it right for you? Finding vacancies Timeline Applications CV & cover letter Tests & assessment centres Interviews Offers & onboarding Work + study FAQ

Start here: what a degree apprenticeship actually is

big picture

A degree apprenticeship is a paid job where you work for an employer and study part-time towards a university degree. You’re “earning while learning” — building real experience while gaining a recognised qualification.

What you get (the upside)

Salary (you’re employed, not a full-time student).
Degree (typically Level 6 or Level 7, depending on the programme).
No traditional tuition-fee bill for you personally (funded through apprenticeship funding routes).
Experience + network (you graduate with years of real work on your CV).

What to be honest about (the trade-offs)

It can be very competitive (like graduate schemes).
You’ll juggle deadlines + work + study.
You won’t always get the “traditional uni lifestyle”.
Some roles are location-specific and may involve commuting.

Mentura mindset Treat your degree apprenticeship search like a structured project: shortlist roles, build evidence, tailor applications, practise tests/interviews, then iterate fast.

Is a degree apprenticeship right for you?

decision

If you like learning by doing, want to start your career early, and can handle responsibility, a DA can be perfect. If you want a fully flexible academic route with lots of free time, traditional uni may fit better.

You’ll probably love a DA if…

You want a clear career path (business, tech, engineering, finance, healthcare, etc.).
You’re motivated by real work and building skills fast.
You’re happy being assessed in the workplace (performance matters).
You can plan your week and stick to routines.

Traditional uni might suit you if…

You want deep academic exploration before choosing a career.
You want more freedom over your schedule.
You’re aiming for courses that rarely offer DAs (varies by field).
You want the full campus experience (societies, halls, etc.).

Best of both worlds You can apply to degree apprenticeships and university at the same time. Keep options open until you have real offers.

Eligibility & entry requirements (what employers typically check)

requirements

Every vacancy is different. Employers usually list required GCSEs/A-levels (or equivalents), plus any subject requirements. They also care a lot about your mindset and skills — not just grades.

Common requirements

GCSEs (often including English + Maths).
A-levels / BTEC / T Levels (or equivalent).
Right to work in the UK (role-dependent).
Sometimes: a driving licence / ability to travel.

What really separates candidates

Clear motivation: why this role + why this employer.
Evidence: projects, part-time work, volunteering, responsibilities.
Professional habits: punctuality, communication, reliability.
Learning attitude: curiosity + feedback + improvement.

Reality check Don’t self-reject too early. If you’re close to requirements, apply — but be strategic and apply widely.

Where to find degree apprenticeship vacancies

Degree apprenticeships are advertised throughout the year, and there’s no single UCAS-style cycle. Your job is to build a shortlist of employers and check regularly.

High-signal places to look

Employer careers pages Apprenticeships.gov.uk UCAS apprenticeship search LinkedIn School/college careers team Events & insight days

Employer websites (best for early openings and accurate requirements).
Government apprenticeship site for wide coverage and filters.
UCAS apprenticeship tools if you want one place to browse and save.
Networking: teachers, alumni, open events, career fairs.

Mentura shortcut Build a “Top 20 employer list” and check it weekly. Most students lose because they search randomly and start too late.

A realistic timeline (degree apprenticeships are rolling)

planning

Important Some employers open applications very early and close as soon as they fill places. Treat early prep as non-negotiable.

Use this as a practical planning template. Adjust to your target employers and their deadlines.

Stage	What you do	What you produce
Research (4–8 weeks)	Pick industries + roles; shortlist employers; understand entry routes	Target list + role notes + 1-line “why” for each
Evidence-building (ongoing)	Projects, online learning, work experience, volunteering, responsibilities	STAR stories + portfolio links + reflection notes
Application sprint (2–10 weeks)	Apply widely; tailor answers; track deadlines	CV + cover letter + application tracker
Online tests (1–3 weeks)	Numerical/verbal/SJT; practise timed conditions	Practice log + weak-area plan
Assessment centre / interview	Group tasks, presentations, interviews, strengths questions	Prepared examples + employer research + questions
Offer + onboarding	Confirm start date, checks, documents, planning travel	Clear plan for study time + commute + finances

Simple rule Apply early, apply widely, and keep improving your next application based on what you learn from the last one.

Applications: how the process usually works

process

Think “job application pipeline”. Most programmes look like: application form → online tests → interview/assessment centre → offer.

Typical stages

Online application (CV + questions)
Online tests (SJT / numerical / verbal)
Phone/video screening
Assessment centre (group task / presentation)
Final interview
Offer + checks

Common mistakes

Generic answers (no employer research)
Applying late (roles fill fast)
No evidence (claims without examples)
Not practising timed tests
Messy tracking (missed deadlines/emails)

Application tracker (do this) Make a simple spreadsheet: employer, role, link, deadline, stage, notes, next action. This alone puts you ahead of most applicants.

CV & cover letter (the version that actually wins)

writing

Your CV is proof. Your cover letter is your logic. Together they answer: “Can you do the job?” and “Do you genuinely want this job here?”

CV essentials

One clean page (two max if truly needed)
Education + predicted grades (if applicable)
Experience (part-time, volunteering, caring counts)
Projects (especially for tech/engineering/business)
Skills backed by evidence (not buzzwords)

Cover letter structure

Why this employer (specific)
Why this role (skills match)
Evidence (2–3 strong examples)
Close (enthusiasm + availability)

Golden rule Don’t say “I’m a strong communicator” — show it with a quick example where you communicated under pressure, solved a problem, or led something.

Online tests & assessment centres: what to expect

selection

Many employers use tests to filter fairly at scale. This is normal. You can improve a lot with practice.

Common online tests

Situational judgement (best response / worst response)
Numerical reasoning (data tables, graphs, percentages)
Verbal reasoning (accuracy + speed)
Strengths / values questionnaires

Assessment centre activities

Group task (collaboration + structure)
Presentation (clarity + confidence)
In-tray / case study (prioritisation)
Interview (competency + motivation)

How to practise (fast improvement) Do timed practice, review mistakes, repeat. Most people only “do a test” once — winners do cycles and track weak areas.

Interviews: what they look for (and how to answer)

performance

Interviewers want someone who will show up, learn fast, and represent the company well. Your job is to be specific, calm, and evidence-led.

Questions you’ll likely get

Why this apprenticeship (not uni, not later)?
Why this employer (what do they do, what are their values)?
Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge
Teamwork / conflict / leadership examples
What have you done to explore this industry?

Answer method (simple)

STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result
Add a final line: what you learned
Quantify results when you can
Keep it tight: 60–90 seconds per story

One skill that changes everything Speak your thinking out loud. Employers love candidates who can explain decisions clearly, especially under pressure.

Offers, contracts, and what happens next

after

If you get an offer, expect admin steps: checks, documents, and planning your start. Treat onboarding like your first professional project.

What to check in your offer

Start date + location
Salary + progression
Study schedule (day release / block release)
Probation period
Any relocation / travel expectations

What you should do immediately

Plan commute + backup travel options
Sort documents (ID, right-to-work, bank details)
Set a weekly routine for study time
Message your manager with a simple intro

If you’re choosing between offers Don’t just choose the biggest brand. Compare role fit, support, study structure, and long-term progression.

Balancing work + study (how to not burn out)

real life

The biggest challenge isn’t intelligence — it’s energy and organisation. If you master planning, you’ll thrive.

Weekly rhythm that works

Block study time like meetings (non-negotiable)
Do small sessions daily (30–60 mins beats 5 hours once)
Prep your week on Sunday (15 minutes)
Track deadlines in one place

Professional habits that help

Ask questions early (don’t hide confusion)
Take notes, then summarise actions
Communicate workload honestly
Protect sleep (it’s performance)

Simple reality Most apprentices who struggle aren’t “not good enough” — they’re under-planned. Fix the system and you fix the outcome.

If you don’t get one (Plan B that still wins)

bounce back

Rejection is normal. The winning move is to keep momentum and upgrade your profile for the next cycle.

Fast wins

Improve CV: tighter bullets + stronger evidence
Practice tests weekly
Get one more relevant project/certification
Build STAR examples from real responsibilities

Strong alternative routes

Traditional uni + apply again (with better evidence)
Higher apprenticeship route into a degree apprenticeship
Entry-level job in the industry + reapply
Gap year: work + build a portfolio + apply early

Mentura rule If you didn’t get offers, it’s usually one of four things: not enough applications, weak tailoring, weak tests prep, or weak evidence. Fix the bottleneck.

FAQ (searchable)

answers

Open all Close all Clear search

Usually no — most degree apprenticeships are applied for like jobs (employer application forms). UCAS can still help you explore and search opportunities, but the employer vacancy page is the source of truth.

Yes. Keeping both routes open is smart, especially because DA timelines vary and competition is high.

Requirements vary by role. Many employers look for a mix of grades and skills. Strong evidence, motivation, and performance in tests/interviews can make a big difference.

Build “evidence instead”: projects, volunteering, responsibilities at home/school, online learning, part-time work. Then turn them into strong STAR stories.

Often timed and designed to assess judgement, reasoning, and how you handle information. The easiest way to improve is timed practice + reviewing mistakes.

Reference something real: their work, values, projects, clients, products.
Link it to you: what interests you and why you’d learn well there.
Close with fit: how your skills match the role.

More than you think. Competition is high, so treat it like a numbers + quality game: apply widely, but tailor the key answers.

Keep moving. Upgrade your CV, practise tests, build one more strong project, and apply earlier next time. Rejection is normal — quitting is optional.