Daily Junction.mobi portalEducation · June 20, 2026 · Priya Anand · 7 min
Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, with no tuition fees and a guaranteed job — here's everything you need to know about UK apprenticeships in 2026.
University is not the only path to a good career. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, with no tuition fees, a guaranteed job, and a nationally recognised qualification at the end. You can train to be an engineer, a software developer, a nurse, an accountant, or even earn a degree — all while getting paid. In 2026, apprenticeships are more popular than ever, with over 600 different apprenticeship standards and major employers like the NHS, civil service, and tech companies offering programmes. Here is everything you need to know about UK apprenticeships — how they work, what you earn, and whether they are worth it.
An apprenticeship is a job with training. You work for an employer, earn a salary, and spend part of your time (usually 20% or one day a week) in training, either at a college, training provider, or on the job. At the end, you get a nationally recognised qualification and real work experience.
Apprenticeships are available at different levels:
Most apprenticeships take 1–4 years to complete, depending on the level. Degree apprenticeships (Level 6–7) take 3–6 years.
Apprenticeships are jobs, not courses. You are employed by a company, and you work for them while you train. You have an employment contract, earn a salary, and get employee benefits (holiday pay, sick pay, pension).
Around 20% of your time (or one day a week) is spent in training, either:
The training is matched to your job and leads to a qualification.
At the end of the apprenticeship, you take an end-point assessment (EPA) — a test, project, or portfolio that proves you have the skills and knowledge. If you pass, you get a nationally recognised qualification (e.g., NVQ, BTEC, degree).
Apprenticeship training is funded by the government and the employer through the apprenticeship levy (a tax on large employers). Apprentices do not pay tuition fees.
Apprentices earn a salary, not a student loan. The amount depends on your age, the level of the apprenticeship, and the employer.
The apprentice minimum wage is £6.40 per hour (as of April 2024) for:
After the first year, apprentices aged 19+ must be paid at least the national minimum wage for their age:
Many employers pay more than the minimum, particularly for higher-level apprenticeships. Degree apprentices at large companies (e.g., PwC, Rolls-Royce, the NHS) can earn £18,000–£25,000 per year.
Compare this to university, where students pay £9,250 per year in tuition fees and take out loans for living costs, graduating with £45,000+ in debt.
There are over 600 apprenticeship standards across industries, including:
Degree apprenticeships (Level 6–7) are the fastest-growing type of apprenticeship. They let you earn a bachelor's or master's degree while working, with no tuition fees and a salary.
Degree apprenticeships are offered by major employers like:
Degree apprenticeships take 3–6 years and combine work with study at a university. You spend 4 days a week at work and 1 day a week (or block weeks) at university. At the end, you have a degree, 3–6 years of work experience, and no debt.
| Feature | Degree apprenticeship | University |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | £0 (paid by employer) | £9,250/year (£27,750 total) |
| Salary | £18,000–£25,000/year | £0 (student loan for living costs) |
| Debt | £0 | £45,000+ (tuition + living costs) |
| Work experience | 3–6 years | Internships/placements (optional) |
| Time to complete | 3–6 years | 3 years |
| Guaranteed job | Yes (you are employed) | No |
Degree apprenticeships are highly competitive — acceptance rates are around 5–10%, similar to Oxbridge. You need strong A-levels (typically AAB or higher) and must pass interviews and assessment centres.
Search for apprenticeships on:
Most apprenticeships require:
Applications usually involve:
If you are offered a place, you sign an employment contract and start work. Your employer will arrange your training with a college or training provider.
Around 90% of apprentices stay in employment or go on to further training after completing their apprenticeship, according to government data. Apprentices in high-demand sectors (engineering, IT, healthcare) have particularly strong employment outcomes.
Apprenticeships are not better or worse than university — they are different. The right choice depends on your goals, interests, and circumstances.
Choose an apprenticeship if:
Choose university if:
Many people do both — starting with an apprenticeship and later doing a degree (or vice versa).
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