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This page contains a step by step guide to securing a Degree Apprenticeship at Ulster University. You may want to bookmark this page so you can return to it as you progress in your Apprenticeship search.
1. Check that you are eligible
To take part in a Degree Apprenticeship programme, you and your employer must be eligbile to participate. You need, as a minimum, to be:
- a school leaver aged 16 or over
- eligible for your selected programme
- employed or be about to take up paid employment as an apprentice, or an existing employee with a private sector company based in Northern Ireland. Public Sector organisations are not eligible for funding through the DfE Higher Level Apprenticeship programme.
- work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training)
- have achieved all necessary entry qualifications determined by the relevant sector
- pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector
Before applying to any apprenticeship, you should review the full eligibility criteria at the link below to ensure that you and your potential employer are eligible to participate.
2. Explore our Degree Apprenticeships
Just like any other programme of study, the biggest factor in determining your future success is choosing a subject that you are interested in and passionate about.
Browse our programmes, view a summary of the modules you'll take, explore potential career paths, and learn more about eligibility and academic entry requirements.
3. Find a Suitable Employer
Once you have decided what you want to study, you should start thinking about potential employers.
Apprenticeships are all about employment - so the first big step in your apprenticeship journey is all about finding an employer who is the right fit for you. Just like applying for any other job, this requires you to be proactive.
We have some resources below that can help you along the way.
- Our Find an Apprenticeship page advertises current Apprenticeship vacancies with our employer partners.
- Use services like Workplus or MEGA to apply once but reach many apprenticeship employers.
- Use resources like NIJobFinder, Indeed, or LinkedIn to identify roles and build your network.
- If you can't find what you're looking for, you can search for employers on your own. Our Advice for Applicants page has guidance about searching for employers independently.
- Attend our Apprenticeship Events throughout the academic year for more information and for opportunities to meet with current apprenticeship employers.
Remember that finding an apprenticeship can be more of a marathon than a sprint.
Employers open apprenticeship roles throughout the year so you'll need to check back frequently to identify new opportunities. Just like applying for any job, it's important to be persistent.
If you aren't successful at first, try not to take rejection personally and seek feedback where you can, as this will help you to improve for future applications or interviews.
4. Apply for Roles, Ace the Interviews
Ensure that you submit your CV or online application in good time prior to the deadline set by the employer. If you need to complete an application form, respond fully to each question, use detailed examples, and adhere to any word or character limits set out for you. Don't wait until the last minute in case you encounter unexpected IT problems. Employers generally won't accept late applications.
Whether you are a school leaver or a professional looking to change career, interviews can be daunting.
There are steps you can take to prepare for interviews or assessment centres.
- Speak with Careers Teachers, use online resources, or access materials from your local library to learn about the techniques that help candidates succeed at interview.
- Speak with Careers Teachers or Guidance Counsellors about how to prepare, and to organise a mock interview.
- Most employers will provide you with information about what to expect. While you probably won't get access to interview questions or assessment tasks beforehand, you should have a good idea of what you are allowed to bring with you and where you will need to meet your panel.
- Have a good answer to the 'why' questions: Why should an employer hire you? Why did you apply for a role with this firm? Why did you want to pursue a career in this field?
- If you have a disability, you should let your potential employer know so that they can accommodate you as required (for example, with additional time in interview or other reasonable adjustments). This should never disadvantage you during the recruitment process.
- When you are called for interview, take time to learn more about the company that is interviewing you. Review the organisation's work and values, and be ready to demonstrate how you think you'd fit in.
Above all - remember to be yourself. Often, interviews are as much about getting to know you as a person as they are about assessing your skills.
5. Apply to Ulster University
Once you've secured a role, it's time to apply to the University. Since Apprenticeships exist outside of the UCAS system in Northern Ireland, you can apply for as many apprenticeships as you want without losing any offers you have for Full Time study.
To apply for the Apprenticeship programme, follow these steps:
- Review your course's prospectus entry, and follow the link on the prospectus entry to 'Apply.'
- Complete the enquiry form. You will need to provide a personal email address i.e. an email address that is not shared with anyone else. When you submit the enquiry form an email will be sent to you which will include a link to the application form. If you do not receive the email check your junk folder.
- Click the link in the email to access the application form.
- Be sure to complete all sections of the application form, including providing your employer's contact details. Make sure you review and submit the application form. You should reach a confirmation page which will let you know when this is done. You will also receive an email confirming your application has been received.
Once your application has been submitted, our Admissions team will review your application and reach out to you if they require any documentation or evidence to support your application. Depending on whether you have already completed your A Levels/Level 3 qualifications, or you apply on the basis of predicted grades, our admissions team may issue you an offer to study.
- Conditional offers are often subject to confirming your employer's eligibility to participate or the results of your Level 3 assessment.
- Unconditional offers can be accepted immediately. For most A Level students, your apprenticeship offer will be made unconditional once the University is informed that you have made your grades and have secured an employer.
What comes next?
You've secured and employer, your application is in, and you've recieved an offer of study. If your offer is unconditional, you'll get an email from our Admissions team with next steps. If you're waiting on your Level 3 (e.g. A Levels or BTEC) results to come in, view our Results Day Guide for more information about what to expect and how to accept your offer of study.
