Information for applicants

Three apprentices in a factory

Earn while you learn as a degree apprentice

Start your career early and get ahead, with no course fees and no student loan

Progress faster in your career, benefiting from studying for a degree while you gain real work experience in your chosen field, which you can use as evidence when applying for jobs.

For the three-to-five years, it takes you to gain your degree, you’ll be earning a wage that could be up to £23,000 per annum, or in some cases even more. Most employers will pay more than the minimum wage for apprentices and will increase your pay as you progress, while you work a minimum of 30 hours per week.

You can start a degree apprenticeship at 18 years old, and progress up to the postgraduate level.

Applicant links

  • Apprenticeship vacancies

    Browse current degree apprenticeship vacancies with employers we work with at the University of West London.

    A happy job applicant who has just received a job offer
  • Our apprenticeship courses

    Explore our degree apprenticeships, which cover a broad range of fields and academic levels to ensure they deliver the skills your business needs.

    Two civil engineers at a construction site
  • Apprenticeships for existing employees

    Apprenticeships aren't just for new employees. Why not discuss the possibility of an apprenticeship with your manager? Find out more here.

    students in lecture theatre

Apprenticeship Cafés

Civil Engineering students surveying blueprints

If you’re thinking about starting a degree apprenticeship, join us at one of our Apprenticeship Café events to find out more about degree apprenticeship opportunities and get advice on making your application.

Next event:

Next steps

Interested in starting an apprenticeship?

First, you will need to find a vacancy with an employer and submit an application. You will be applying for a paid position and will need to prove you have the skills for the job. You will probably need to attend an interview - find out more on our application tips page.

Here you’ll find a list of vacancies with our partner employers. We also strongly recommend looking for vacancies on the National Apprenticeship Service website.

Unfortunately the University of West London cannot accept applications.

Current employees

If you are already in a job for which there is a relevant degree apprenticeship, get in touch with your employer to let them know about the scheme. They might be interested in the information we have on our pages for employers.

Apprenticeship vacancies

Browse current degree apprenticeship vacancies with employers we work with at the University of West London.

A happy job applicant who has just received a job offer

Summary of how to apply for an apprenticeship

Apprenticeship success stories

For National Apprenticeships Week 2020, we caught up with some of our fantastic apprentices at the University of West London to find out more about their experiences.

FAQs

  • Why do a degree or higher apprenticeship?

    By taking a higher or degree apprenticeship, you will be employed and spending 80% of your time at work and 20% studying towards a Certificate of Higher Education or an undergraduate or master’s degree. If you have a career in mind but would also like the opportunity to study for a degree while working, then one of our Higher or Degree Apprenticeships could be for you.  

    Our courses are mapped to the relevant ‘Apprenticeship Standard’ which are nationally recognised and tailored to each individual profession. This ensures that you will be equipped with the right knowledge, skills and behaviours for your chosen career.  Our Apprenticeship courses also allow you to apply your theoretical learning to real life projects in the workplace, developing valuable, practical skills as you learn. 

    You’ll be given time during your normal working week to study towards your course. Our courses are typically delivered as day release (one day per week), or in one-week blocks or a blend of both. You will be taught through a mix of face-to-face and interactive online learning, work-based projects, and independent study. We use our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard to support your studies, which can include recommended reading, case studies, video capture of lectures, online forums, and quizzes. For your work-based learning, you will also be asked to keep a learning journal and develop a professional portfolio of evidence.  

    Your academic study can be assessed through assignments, project work and exams. Your learning journal and professional portfolio will be regularly reviewed to ensure it demonstrates that you have reached the required level outlined in the Apprenticeship Standard. You will also have Tripartite Review Meetings, which are three-way discussions between you, your University Apprenticeship Support Link Tutor, and your Line Manager / Mentor, at least every three months to monitor your progress. To complete your apprenticeship, you will undertake an End Point Assessment to test whether you have gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship Standard 

    In addition to the support offered by your academic tutors, you will have access to the Student Services offered by the University as well as all our other facilities such as the Library and the Sports facilities.

  • How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

    In order to apply for an apprenticeship, you must apply to an employer offering an opportunity.  Once you have been made an offer of employment, you can then apply to the University.

    We will check that you meet the entry requirements and we consider work experience or certificated learning to assess both readiness for the course and exemptions from modules. You can find the entry requirements for each course on our website. 

  • What if I do not have maths and/or English?

    It is a requirement that all apprentices at level 3 and above have evidence of achieving a minimum of a level 2 qualification in both maths and English before they can be awarded the apprenticeship.

    However, whilst we can consider an application without a Level 2 qualification (GCSE or equivalent) in English and Mathematics for certain courses, you would need to study for these qualifications alongside your Degree Apprenticeship, and we would support you in doing this.

    More information here.

  • How do I find an apprenticeship opportunity?

    Apprenticeships are advertised throughout the year and there is no fixed application deadline, it will depend on the individual employer as to when the vacancy will open and close 

    At this stage you need to apply to employers who are advertising these opportunities either by applying directly to their advertisements or through the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

    The University will also advertise any apprenticeship vacancies from employers they are working with on this website.

  • For apprenticeships in the health sector

    Some employers may require you to have worked for the organisation for a specific period of time, before they support these opportunities.

    Apprenticeships in the healthcare sector may be advertised via NHS Jobs.

  • Do look at our advice for applicants

    Application tips for apprentices

    The employer will want to know you are going to be a good employee for them, it’s not just about the apprenticeship.

  • The UWL Apprenticeship Admissions

    Once your employer has offered you an apprenticeship, we will send you a unique online application link for you to provide the required information for starting the apprenticeship. 

    At this stage you will go through several eligibility checks to ensure that you eligible for apprenticeship funding and meet the requirements of the apprenticeship course. Further information on these can be found in the information for each apprenticeship course. 

    At each stage, you will be notified if we require further information from you. Once you have completed the required checks, you and your employer will be notified of the outcome.   

    Further details of our Admission Policy.

Maths and English requirements

Maths and English requirements

Most apprentices on higher and degree (and non-degree) apprenticeships are required to have achieved a minimum of level 2 in both English and maths at the start of the apprenticeship. Or in some cases, these can be achieved while on the apprenticeship.

Level 2 means a:

  • GCSE grade A-C (or 4-9)
  • Functional skills-Pass at level 2

There are other acceptable qualifications, but these must meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency requirements. Please see the full list of approved qualifications here. (check on the Level 3 apprenticeship tab)

If you or the applicant does not have evidence of these qualifications, then we strongly recommend you achieve these before you start the apprenticeship.

For applicants living in London*, we have free courses-please see information here:

Open the door to new career possibilities with our free courses in Maths and English (uwl.ac.uk)

*You must be able to meet the eligibility criteria.

If you have an overseas qualification, we will check this for its UK equivalency during your application and let you know what you may need to do, to meet the requirement.

We will do everything we can to help locate evidence or achieve the qualifications. If you would like more information about taking a Functional Skills qualification with UWL, please contact: functionalskills@uwl.ac.uk.

Please check the individual requirements on the apprenticeship course you are hoping to apply for under the REQUIREMENTS section.

Three apprentices in a factory

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.

Apprenticeship news