Competition for Degree Apprenticeships Quadruples in Three Years
The BBC has found that competition for degree apprenticeships in England has significantly increased over the past three years. The popularity of this unique program, offering both a paid university degree and salary, has risen as university costs have come under scrutiny.
Key Findings:
- Application Numbers: The number of applicants through the government’s central platform tripled from 8,100 to 21,800 over three years.
- Availability: Meanwhile, the number of available positions fell almost in half, from 7,300 to 3,700.
- Applicant Motivation: Applicants often cited applying to university as a "backup" option due to the intense competition, with employers reducing hiring due to high employment costs and economic uncertainty.
Data Reveals a Tight Market:
The Freedom of Information data obtained by the BBC highlights the competitive nature of degree apprenticeships in England. There were 11.3 applications for every Level 6 apprenticeship position in the current academic year, compared to just 2.8 in 2023-24. Similar trends are observed across Levels 4, 5, and 6 qualifications.
Quotes from Applicants:
"We all went to the same lectures and we had the same labs… there was… jealousy. Not to say that I wasn’t happy for them… but I knew that I was not getting that same free degree or the same salary." – Kieran McRae, 22
"If I was 18 and offered the degree apprenticeship, 100% I would have taken it." – Kieran McRae
Market Dynamics:
Oliver Sidwell, director of Higherin (a platform for apprenticeships), noted a more than 80% increase in searches for degree apprenticeships this year. Despite employers advertising more positions, demand is outpacing supply.
Government Support:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expressed its support for employers taking on young apprentices, aligning with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent push to provide alternative career paths for teenagers that can rival university degrees.
