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1. Check that you are eligible
Our Degree Apprenticeships are open to people over 16 years of age with the right to live and work in the UK. You and your employer must also demonstrate that you meet all of the other eligibility criteria set out by the Department for the Economy. You can review all of the eligibility criteria here.
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. Use the link below to 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 employer know so that they can accommodate you as required.
- 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 Now.'
- Create an application account, taking note of your ID and PIN in case you need to pause your application and come back later.
- Create a new application, taking care to select the correct application type for your level of study. You should select Degree Apprenticeship UG for Undergraduate study, and Degree Apprenticeship PG for Postgraduate study.
- Be sure to complete all sections of the application, including providing your employer's contact details, and ensure it is submitted. You should reach a confirmation landing page which will let you know when this is done.
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.
