What are Degree Apprenticeships?
Degree Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed alongside employers to get the best out of new or existing recruits.
Combining academic study at the University with on-the-job training and work experience, apprentices can earn an undergraduate degree or masters.
Benefits to your Business
Attract, develop and retain talent
- Apprentices develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours directly relevant to your business, often in key skills shortage areas.
- Degree Apprenticeships help attract and retain talented employees, providing a ladder of opportunity and progression
- They are a great way of improving the diversity of your workforce and social mobility.
- Apprentices work on live projects devised by you, them and our tutors, maximising tangible business benefits.
How does it work?
Apprenticeships are a long-term investment in people. Employers provide on the job training and paid day release for apprentices to attend University.
Ulster University provides off the job training that leads to an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Degree.
Apprentices learn and grow with your organisation, gaining the skills that your organisation needs to remain competitive in a global economy.
The Department for the Economy cover tuition fees for the course, with the exception of resits for failed modules.
Your Employer Journey
Employer with an Employee seeking a Degree Apprenticeship
Find out how your employees can upskill with a degree apprenticeship at Ulster University.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The University fee for the first attempt at a module is funded by the Department for the Economy.* If a student fails a module and has to retake the module, resit an exam, or resubmit coursework, there may be a fee associated with this. It is up to the apprentice to pay this fee, although the employer can pay this on the apprentice's behalf if they wish.
- The employer pays the apprentice a salary/wage for their time in the office, as well as their contact time at the university. Most apprentices are employed on a full-time salary, and are given day release one day per week when they are at University.
*Some apprenticeships may require a small employer contribution to cover the full fee cost.
This depends on the apprenticeship framework. Some of our Undergraduate programmes can be completed in 3 years, while others like our Integrated Masters in Civil Engineering can take up to 8 years.
The average duration of a Degree Apprenticeship is 4 years. More information on individual programmes can be found in our prospectus.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of the University's strategy of People, Place, and Partnership.
Since DfE piloted the Higher Level Apprenticeship scheme we have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in Apprenticeship provision, and have been recognised for this effort by recieving a number of NI and UK awards over the last decade.
We currently have over 1000 Apprentices currently registered on our Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes.
Most of our Degree Apprenticeships are accredited with professional bodies, and our curriculum is informed by consistent and deep collaboration with industry.
Ulster University has worked with over 200 employers since we first offered Apprenticeships in 2017/18.
Our partners range from large, multinational corporations to family run micro-businesses and everything in between.
Our partners are also geographically diverse, with apprentices working across Northern Ireland.
The University provides new employers with the opportunity to meet and network with established employer partners so that they can benefit from their experience and learn about best practice.
