UK Degree Apprenticeship (2026/27): Earn While Studying
Degree apprenticeships in England 2026/27: Level 6 and 7 degrees with paid work, no training costs for the apprentice, minimum pay, Level 7 age limits and how to apply.
Degree Apprenticeship vs Traditional University
Degree apprenticeship
- No tuition fees for the apprentice; training is paid by the employer and government
- A wage throughout, at least the minimum wage for your age and year
- Work experience alongside the qualification
- Workplace pension auto-enrolment if you meet the conditions
- Tied to one employer and one occupation
Full-time university
- Tuition fees up to £9,790 a year in England (2026 to 2027), usually borrowed
- Wider choice of subject and institution
- Easier to change direction mid-degree
- Time for a placement year or year abroad
- Plan 5 repayments at 9% above £25,000 after graduating
Related guides
- UK Apprenticeship Levy Employee 2026/27 - existing employees using levy.
- UK Apprentice Rights + Pay 2026/27 - apprentice contract rights.
- UK Plan 5 Student Loan 2026/27 - traditional uni debt mechanics.
- UK Professional Qualifications ROI 2026/27 - ACCA + CIMA + CIPD path.
Frequently asked questions
What is a degree apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship at Level 6 or 7, the equivalent of a bachelor's or master's degree (gov.uk). You are an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay, with time for training and study of at least 20% of your normal working hours. Apprenticeships take from 8 months to 6 years depending on type and level. Some give you an additional qualification as well.
Do degree apprentices pay tuition fees?
No. Under the 2026 to 2027 apprenticeship funding rules, neither the training provider nor the employer may ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the eligible costs of training or assessment, including if they leave early (funding rules, paragraph 220). The costs are met by the employer and government. By comparison, a full-time undergraduate in England can borrow up to £9,790 a year in tuition fees for 2026 to 2027, or £29,370 over a three-year course before maintenance.
How does the pay work?
Pay is set by the employer, with minimum wage law as the floor. The apprentice rate (£8.00 an hour from April 2026) applies if you are under 19, or 19 or over and in the first year of the apprenticeship. After the first year, an apprentice aged 19 or over is entitled to the minimum wage for their age: £10.85 at 18 to 20 and the National Living Wage of £12.71 at 21 and over (gov.uk). You must be paid for your normal hours and for your training time.
Are there age limits for Level 7 apprenticeships?
Yes, for funding. Under the 2026 to 2027 funding rules, apprentices starting a Level 7 standard are only eligible for funding if, at the start, they are aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care plan or care experience (paragraph 32). Level 6 standards are not restricted in this way. An employer can still choose to pay for training outside funding, so check with the employer.
Who can start an apprenticeship?
To start an apprenticeship in England you need to be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education (gov.uk). Each employer sets its own entry requirements for a degree apprenticeship. Relevant experience or qualifications can shorten the training. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own apprenticeship systems.
How do I find and apply for one?
Search vacancies on the gov.uk Find an apprenticeship service and on employers' own careers pages. You apply to the employer, not to a university: the employer recruits you and chooses the training provider. Selection is usually through an application form and interviews, and some employers add assessments.
How does the money compare with going to university?
A university student in England on Plan 5 repays 9% of income above £25,000 a year, with any balance written off 40 years after the April they were first due to repay (gov.uk). A degree apprentice has no tuition fee loan for the apprenticeship and earns a wage while training, but the wage depends entirely on the employer, so compare actual offers rather than averages.