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Grace is currently completing a 4-year Degree Apprenticeship with global accounting firm Ernest and Young, working as an assistant tax advisor, with the option to complete her Masters at the end of the 4 years.
Grace shared her educational and career journey so far, from studying A Level Business, Politics, and English Literature at Ursuline Sixth Form, to her acceptance as a Level 7 Accountancy and Taxation Apprentice- studying ICAEW, and her current day-to-day role as a tax advisor, which includes drafting client facing emails/documents, attending client meetings, and even leading team meetings! Grace is also a passionate EY Apprentice Ambassador and has taken part in a campaign shooting for National Apprenticeship Week, alongside appearing as a Q&A panellist at Ernest and Young events, and assisting with a variety of other events run by the Black Apprentice Network (BAN) and WCAN. Way to go Grace- fantastic achievements!
Thank you, Grace, for providing students with such an inspiring talk and we wish you all the best moving forwards!
That great, but why bother, I can just go to University..
As apprenticeship qualifications are funded by the company, apprenticeships enable you to ‘earn while you learn’!
So, Grace will complete her degree with no student debt, having earned a competitive salary from the get-go, with significant work experience under her belt, and a potential job offer at the end of the apprenticeship- putting her in a great position for the future!
Why Apprenticeships over University?
1) Hands on experience in a real work environment
2) Earning whilst learning
3) Direct pathway to employment
4) Development of practical skills that are in demand
5) Opportunity to learn from experienced professionals
6) Tailored training to the specific job
7) Wide range of professions to choose from
Tell me more about Degree Apprenticeships!
A degree apprenticeship enables you to gain a full undergraduate or master’s degree while you work. Degree apprenticeships take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level.
You’ll spend most of your time working and you’ll also study part-time at university. For example, you might go to university one or two days per week, or in short blocks, such as a week at a time. Overall, you spend about 20% of your time studying vs. 80% of your time working. (Reference: UCAS.com Degree apprenticeships - Learn more here)
What qualifications do you need to apply for a Degree Apprenticeship?
Each vacancy will be different. You might need specific grades, but employers are looking for other skills you can bring to the role, like communication, leadership, and passion. (Reference: UCAS.com Degree apprenticeships - Learn more here)
What is the pay like?
Degree apprenticeships are Level 7 apprenticeships for 18-24 year old's and come under the Higher Apprenticeships category. According to a Rate My Apprenticeships article (published October 2024), the average Higher Apprenticeships' salary is £27,588.
What is the application process for Apprenticeships?
1) Application form
2) Simulation tests
3) Assessment centre
4) Final interview
What if i want to apply to universities as well to give myself more options?
That's fine, you can apply for apprenticeships and traditional university courses at the same time.
Am i limited to how many Apprenticeships i can apply for?
No, you can apply for as many apprenticeships as you like, in fact the more the better. Mr Vvedenskiy our Careers Lead recommends interested students apply to at least 30 companies to increase your chances at being accepted for one place. So, you need to be organised and plan your time effectively.
What to do next? When can i apply?
As with some university places, Degree Apprenticeships are extremely competitive, so it’s best to start researching companies you would like to work for which align with your career goals as soon as possible, make a note of when the application deadlines tend to be each year, and then plan to apply for as many as possible in Year 13.
Take a look at Degree Apprenticeships in further detail on the official Government website here: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Where to find Apprenticeships / Helpful Information Sources
For anyone interested in Degree Apprenticeships/Apprenticeships, opportunities can be found via;
National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is a great resource for further information.
T-Level Student of the Year Award
Did you know..
In December 2024, Ursuline Sixth Form alumni Fernanda V (graduate 2023) an AI & Analytics Degree Apprentice at IBM was awarded the T-Level Student of the Year Award at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024! Fernanda is currently working at IBM as a AI and Analytics Consultant. She is now giving back helping others to get apprenticeships and says its one of her fulfillments.
We are so proud! You can find out more about Fernanda's journey here!