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Attract and retain the best talent and develop the skills your business needs.

At the University of West London, we deliver a broad range of rigorous, highly job-focused degree apprenticeships to add value to your organisation.

We will support you in the recruitment of your apprentice, meet regularly with you to monitor progress and to plan for the future. This helps to ensure the skills and knowledge they develop is of direct relevance to their role.

Our extremely high retention rates testify to the support we provide to our apprentices and the high-quality teaching and learning they receive. Your apprentice will be assigned a personal tutor for pastoral support and will have 24/7 access to our virtual learning environment and library facilities. Contact us today to find out more.

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Tony Fenton Law, speaking to camera

Because the first apprenticeships went so well, we’ve now taken on two more level 4 apprentices...

Tony Fenton-Jones

Performance Analysis Manager, Surrey Police

Apprenticeship strategy

In line with Achievement 2023 and its clear vision for developing employability and skills through apprenticeships, the University has written an Apprenticeship Strategy that will seek to contribute to the national up-skilling and enhancement agenda of the country’s workforce in order to support economic prosperity.

Download the full Apprenticeship Strategy.

Safeguarding apprentices staff and employer guidance

Essential information for employers of apprentices.

This guide is to advise our existing and future employers about their roles and responsibility towards their apprentices, to keep them safe in the workplace and free from threat.

It is intended as a helpful guide that includes quick links to further sources of information and useful contacts for safeguarding at UWL.

Download the Safeguarding Apprentices Staff and Employer Guidance guide.

Who we work with

A list of companies we work with including Lidl, McDonald's and SEGA

We are a trusted training partner of a host of leading employers across West London and Berkshire.

Student support for Apprentices

Our Student Services teams are on hand for the entirety of your apprenticeship with UWL to support you and offer advice and help when you need it. From money advice to careers and volunteering opportunities and everything in between, the Student Services team are there for you.

Visit our Student Support page to find out more and contact any of the teams.

You can also book appointments directly on the UWL Student Hub.

News

See the latest news and events from the Apprenticeships team at the University of West London.

Apprenticeship FAQs

  • How do apprenticeships work?

    Your apprentice is your employee. They gain their apprenticeship qualification through ‘off the job’ study at the University of West London, which equates to at least 20% of their working week.

    Learn more about our Degree Apprenticeships 

  • Why should I hire an apprentice?

    Training staff through an apprenticeship will:

    • Help your business develop its own talent; '70% of employers surveyed said apprenticeships improved quality and service' (Department for Business, Skills and innovation, Dec 2015).
    • Support employees to develop skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to their jobs.
    • Motivate employees and new talent to develop their skills and obtain a qualification or degree.
    • Use government funding to prepare staff for a significant future within a business by gaining internationally recognised qualifications.
    • Develop high calibre staff who can add value through mentoring other staff members.
    • Enhance retention of a skilled workforce.

    Learn more about the benefits of apprenticeships for employers.

  • What is a higher apprenticeship?

    A higher apprenticeship leads to a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, for example a foundation degree (but can continue beyond this, into levels 6 or 7).

  • What is a degree apprenticeship?

    A degree apprenticeship leads to the award of a full honours degree or master’s degree qualification.

  • What is the difference between a higher and a degree apprenticeship?

    Higher apprenticeships can incorporate qualification levels 4, 5, 6 and 7, whereas degree apprenticeships include only levels 6 and 7.

    For context, there are nine qualification levels in the UK. 

    • Level 1 is equivalent to grades GCSE grades D, E, F, G (now categorised as 3, 2, 1)
    • Level 2 is equivalent to grades A*-C at GCSE (now categorised as 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4)
    • Level 3 is equivalent to A Levels.
    • Level 5 is equivalent to a foundation degree or higher national diploma.
    • Level 6 is equivalent to a degree with honours or a degree apprenticeship
    • Level 7 is equivalent to a master’s degree or PGCE
    • Level 8 is equivalent to a PhD.
  • What is the minimum length of a degree apprenticeship?

    3-4 years minimum, although the length of time can vary depending on the course and prior qualifications of the apprentice.

  • What is the minimum length of a higher apprenticeship?

    The minimum length of most higher apprenticeships 18 months to 2 years depending on the apprentice's prior qualifications, and must not be less than 377 days (between the start and end dates).

  • What is an apprenticeship wage? / What is the cost of employing an apprentice?

    The apprentice works for you as your employee and has all the benefits as a fully paid up member of your staff. Most of our employers offer degree apprenticeship students £15,000 - £24,000 per annum.

    View the government guidance on apprenticeship pay for more information. The cost of the course and training are fully covered either by the apprenticeship levy (for levy paying employers) or co-funded by the government (for non-levy paying employers).

  • What is the maximum age for an apprentice?

    There is no maximum age for an apprentice.

  • Are apprentices employees?

    Yes, by taking on an apprentice you are hiring an employee.

  • What is an Apprenticeship Agreement?

    An Apprenticeship Agreement is signed by the employer and apprentice. It is different from the apprentice’s contract of employment, the Commitment Statement and the Written Agreement. Learn more about the Apprenticeship Agreement and download a template on the government website.

    If you, as an employer, choose us as the training provider for your apprentice, the University will provide two further documents:

    • The Written Agreement, which is the service-level agreement between the employer and the training provider
    • The Commitment Statement, which outlines the training plan for the apprentice, and is a tri-party agreement between the employer, the training provider and the apprentice.
  • Where should I advertise an apprenticeship vacancy?

    We’ll work with you to advertise your vacancy on the National Apprenticeship Service website and post your position on our ‘Apprenticeship vacancies’ page.

    We will also provide a link that you can add to your own organisation’s website to direct applicants to the NAS. 

    You may also wish to use commercial job agencies or advertise on local jobsites, newspapers or your own website, for example.

  • How can UWL support me as an employer?

    We have over ten years’ experience in delivery high quality apprenticeships and are rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

    • We’ll work you as an employer to help you plan according to your workforce needs.
    • We will support you through the recruitment and selection of apprentices.
    • Your apprentice will have a dedicated Apprenticeship Support Link Tutor (ASLT) as well as a personal tutor on their course.
    • We’ll provide you with an apprenticeship agreement and apprenticeship commitment statement.
    • Our apprenticeship support link tutor will visit your apprentice regularly at the workplace and liaise with their workplace apprenticeship mentor.

    Learn more about why you should choose UWL as your apprenticeship training provider.

Contact us

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To find out how we can support your business, contact Janet Rowson, Head of Degree Apprenticeships at the University of West London:

For enquiries specifically about the Policing Apprenticeships with the Metropolitan Police Service, please contact Vasileios Lepidas, PEQF Contract Manager: