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FAQs about apprenticeships

Thinking of completing an apprenticeship with NTU? Our collection of frequently asked questions will tell you everything you need to know.

General apprenticeships questions

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes that are designed to help employers train their staff for specific job roles. At the same time, apprentices get a paying job with valuable training for 20 percent of their time, while they work towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship standard.

Degree Apprenticeships are training programmes that enable you to achieve an undergraduate or post graduate degree from a UK university.

Yes, they are exactly the same. They are just delivered in a different way and usually over a longer period of time. However, the big difference is the employer pays your tuition fees so you can gain debt-free degrees in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Digital Marketing, Solicitor, Leadership & Management, Paramedic, Data Science and many other topics whilst working as an apprentice.

  • You must be working in a company with an office address in England.
  • You must spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship. This also applies to remote and hybrid workers.
  • You ideally should work more than 30 hours per week. If you are working fewer hours than this, please contact the Apprenticeship team for further guidance.
  • You must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England.
  • You must be aged 16 or above. There is no upper age limit.

If you are an existing employee looking to start an apprenticeship, then the criteria will depend on what your current role is and matching it with the most appropriate apprenticeship standard. For all programmes, we must demonstrate that the learner has gaps in their knowledge and skills before we can enrol them onto an apprenticeship.

No, existing employees starting an apprenticeship should continue to be paid their normal salary.

You will be entitled to the same employment terms and conditions as other employees working at similar grades or in similar roles including paid annual leave, sick pay, and company benefits.

Yes, as long as it’s a different subject or above undergraduate degree level.  A degree is a Level 6 qualification. As such, a graduate can study a suitable Level 7 apprenticeship or take a Level 2-6 apprenticeship as long as they are learning 'substantive new skills'. For example, an English Literature Graduate could start a Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship. Whereas it's unlikely that a Mechanical Engineering Graduate could.

You can start your employment at any point during the year.  However, your practical training programme with the university will start at specific points during the year. Please refer to the course pages for specific start dates.

All apprentices must have a contract of employment which is long enough for them to complete the apprenticeship programme. They must also have a job role (or roles) that provides them with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to achieve their apprenticeship.

Employment can be offered either on a fixed-term or permanent basis, however the apprenticeship must last a minimum of 12 months and a day, regardless of age or prior experience.

The minimum duration of 12-months and a day is based on an apprentice working at least 30 hours per week, including any off-the-job training they undertake. If the apprentice works fewer than 30 hours per week, or where a part-time working pattern is needed, you must agree with the training provider to extend the apprenticeship accordingly.

No. Employers can take on as many apprentices as they can fund and support.

Apprenticeships allow for flexible learning alongside your job, with each course being taught differently. Some of our courses require you to attend sessions on campus in either block sessions or on a day release basis, whilst others are predominately distant learning with you undertaking your study online. Your time studying is considered ‘off-the-job’ training, examples of these off-the-job elements include independent study, taught block sessions, workplace mentor meetings, and online learning.

The duration of an apprenticeship differs from course to course. A typical degree apprenticeship can take anywhere between two and seven years. You can find details of the length of individual courses on each dedicated course page.

Apprentices must be employed to continue their learning. However, it is easy to transfer the learning from one employer to another (as long as the new employer agrees to do this and pay any applicable fees).

Applying for an apprenticeship through NTU

Apprenticeships are open to all individuals aged 16 and over, whether you’re a school leaver and starting your first job, or are currently employed and looking to progress your career within your current organisation. There’s no upper age limit to those looking to undertake an apprenticeship, however you must meet the entry requirements as highlighted on the individual course pages.

To apply for an apprenticeship at NTU you must be employed. You can search for apprenticeship vacancies on the Find an Apprenticeship website by applying directly to companies who run apprenticeship programmes and on the apprenticeship vacancies page on the NTU website. Companies will have their own recruitment process and you will be required to meet the entry requirements for your course of interest. Details of these entry requirements can be found on individual course pages.

If you are already in employment and your employer has offered to support you undertaking an apprenticeship, you can apply directly to NTU via our online portal, accessible on each apprenticeship course page.

Our apprenticeship courses can be applied for directly through our applicant portal.

Please note that you need to be holding an apprenticeship job role or offer to be considered.

Applications for undergraduate and postgraduate apprenticeship courses can be submitted at any time.

However, courses are closed for applications at least two weeks prior to the start date of the course. Please check for closing dates on the relevant course page. Early applications are encouraged.

Costs, funding and student discount

Apprentices don’t pay tuition fees. These costs are covered by your employer, or the government.

You won’t build up any student debt. You’ll earn a salary from your employer while you’re gaining your qualification. You won’t, however, be entitled to any student finance.

As you won’t pay tuition fees, you’re not eligible for student finance.

Student Finance England will consider you an employee rather than a student.

Apprentices aged 16 - 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship receive at least the minimum apprenticeship wage.

Some employers pay significantly more than this. It is important that the apprentice confirms any salary with the employer.

The Education Skills Funding Agency (EFSA) have specific funding eligibility criteria. The apprentice must:

  • be at least 16 years old
  • meet the qualification criteria required to study the course
  • have the right to work in England
  • be based at a workplace in England (at least 50% of the time)
  • be holding an offer from an apprenticeship employer
  • be:
    • able to provide evidence of GCSE Maths and English
    • able to provide evidence of Functional Skills Level 2
    • prepared to complete an equivalent online assessment.

Apprentices are eligible for an NUS Apprentices Extra card.

For an annual fee, apprentices can enjoy several discounts:

  • online
  • in shops
  • for various services
  • in restaurants around the country.

For further information visit the NUS Extra website.

Contact the Apprenticeships team

Our dedicated team is ready to answer any further questions or queries you may have. Email apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 2589 to get in touch.