How do apprenticeships work?

So, is an apprenticeship full-time education? Technically, an apprenticeship isn't considered full-time education in the traditional sense because you're mostly in a workplace rather than a classroom. However, it is recognised as a valid alternative to full-time education for 16-19 year olds who are required to be in some form of education or training.

What makes apprenticeships special is that they offer a hybrid approach – you're neither solely a student nor solely an employee. You're both! This dual status means you benefit from:

• Practical experience - developing workplace skills that employers value
• Academic learning - gaining theoretical knowledge from your college or training provider
• Professional networking - building connections in your industry from day one
• Financial independence - earning at least the apprentice minimum wage.

There are various levels of apprenticeships to suit different backgrounds. 

• Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2) are equivalent to GCSEs.
• Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3) are equivalent to A Levels.
• Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4-7) are equivalent to foundation degrees and above.
• Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6-7) lead to a bachelor's or master's degree.

The higher-level apprenticeships, particularly degree apprenticeships, blur the line between work and education even more, as you'll be working toward a university degree while gaining professional experience.

Most apprenticeships follow the 20 per cent off-the-job training rule. This means that at least 20 per cent of your contracted hours must be spent on learning activities outside your normal working duties. This might involve attending college or university, completing online courses, shadowing colleagues, industry visits, or mentoring sessions. The remaining 80 per cent of your time is spent doing your job, applying what you've learned in a real-world setting.

An apprenticeship might be perfect if you learn better by doing rather than just reading or listening, want to enter the workforce sooner rather than later, have a specific career path in mind, want to avoid or minimise student debt and value practical experience alongside academic learning.

As an apprentice, you'll have access to various support systems, including a workplace mentor to guide your professional development, tutors at your learning provider, your employer's HR department, and apprenticeship support services from organisations like the National Apprenticeship Service.

Many universities, including UEL, are now heavily involved in delivering higher and degree apprenticeships. These programmes combine university-level education with workplace learning, resulting in both academic and professional qualifications.

Our apprenticeship scheme spans multiple industries, from healthcare with our Allied Health and Nursing Associate apprenticeships to cutting-edge digital technology solutions at both Levels 6 and 7. For those interested in business leadership, we provide the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship and Senior People Professional pathways, while our engineering options include specialised Civil Engineering programmes.

Sustainability-focused learners can pursue our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner or Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialist apprenticeships. We also support education professionals through our Teacher Apprenticeship programme. One of our employer partners recently won Employer of the Year at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards.

Each work-based learning opportunity combines practical on-the-job experience with academic study, allowing you to gain valuable industry-specific skills, professional qualifications, and university-level education without traditional student debt. 

So if you're considering an apprenticeship, remember that you're not choosing between education and work – you're choosing a path that cleverly combines both, giving you a head start in your career while still developing your knowledge and skills. Whether an apprenticeship counts as "full-time education" might be a matter of technical definitions, but what really matters is whether it's the right educational choice for you and your goals.