Masters Degree Apprenticeships

Masters degree apprenticeships allow you to combine on-the-job, practical training with academic study. They're a fantastic option for those looking to further their education and gain practical experience while working.

In this guide, we look at what these apprenticeships are, how they work, who can benefit from them and how you can apply.

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Apprenticeships are split into four different categories in the UK:

• Intermediate (Level 2)
• Advanced (Level 3)
• Higher (Level 4 and 5)
• Degree (Level 6 and 7)
• Doctorate (Level 8)

With a Masters degree apprenticeship, you will be learning and working simultaneously. You'll spend 20% of your time training or studying (usually at university), and 80% of your time at work.Your employer and training provider will work together to support you.

We now have our Masters degree apprenticeships all in one place. Take a look at our apprenticeships courses page to see what's currently on offer.

In the UK, education is divided into eight different levels. They go all the way from secondary school (Levels 1-3) to higher education (Levels 4-8).

A Level 7 degree apprenticeship is the equiavlent of a full-time Masters degree, whereas a Level 6 is the same as a Bachelors degree.

The main difference between the two is that a Masters, or Level 7, is an advanced degree designed to build on existing undergraduate qualifications and experience.

A Level 7 is also equal to:

• Level 7 NVQ
• PGCE
• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
• Level 7 diploma
• Level 7 award
• Integrated Masters degree

A Masters degree apprenticeship also takes longer to complete than a full-time Masters (between three and six years) because of the split between work and study. It's also worth noting the difference between apprenticeships and studying a Masters part-time, as an apprenticeship is a joint venture between your employer and the university.

Masters degree apprenticehsips are for anyone looking to extend their knowledge beyond degree level. These apprenticeships are vailable for a range of industries, from engineering to marketing and everything in between.

However, the requirement for each degree apprenticeship are different. For example, some Level 7 apprenticeships require you to have five GCSEs at 9-4 (equivalent to A* to C). You can also start Masters degree apprenticeship after completing a lower-level apprenticeship.

Each Masters degree apprenticeship may have different eligibility criteria, but it's likely you'll need at least one of these qualifications to apply -

• A Level 4 qualification or higher
• A degree apprenticeship (Level 6)
• Undergraduate / Bachelors degree
• Significant experience in the discipline and/or industry
• Relevant industry-specific qualifications

It's important to note that a Level 7 apprenticeship will be academically challenging and shouldn't be underestimated. The End Point Assessment (EPA) for a Masters degree apprenticeship will follow the same structure as other apprenticeships, but will be much more demanding and with fewer contact hours on average than a full-time Masters.

It's likely you'll be in a role with a high-level of responsibility during a Masters degree apprenticeship. For example, the Education Leadership Level 7 Apprenticehsip at the University of Birmingham requires you to have experience in a senior leadership role.

All apprenticeships work the same, regardless of level. 80% of your time will be spent working with your employer, and the other 20% you'll be studying and developing your knowledge at a university.

The majority of your time will be spent developing practical skills by working on real-world projects which will vary from industry to industry.

In terms of assessment, you'll complete an EPA to conclude your apprenticeship. It will test both parts of your leanring - the pratical side and the academic. There could also be assignments you'll have to complete during your apprenticeship, but this depends on your area of study.

The good news is that you as the student don’t have to! The UK Government covers the tuition fees through the apprenticeship levy.

If your employer pays the levy, they can use their levy funds to cover tuition costs with the Government adding 10%.

Employers who don’t pay the apprenticeship levy only pay 10% of the fees for their degree apprentices. These fees are paid directly to the university. The Government then pays the remaining 90% of the cost.

There are plenty of reasons you should consider doing a Masters degree apprenticeship.

• No tuition fees: There are no fees involved with degree apprenticeships - they're fully funded by your employer
• You'll be paid for your work: You'll receive a competitive salary when completing your Level 7 apprenticeship
• High-level of support: You'll have a varied and skilled support network thanks to your employer and your university
• A wide range of learning opportunities: The combination of academic and practical learning allows you to bring learnings from your studies into a working environment and vice versa
• Promising career prospects: There's a chance that you'll be offered a permanent role after completing a Masters degree apprenticeship but, if not, you'll still be a highly employable graduate

Applying for a Masters degree apprenticeship is just like applying for a job. And, as with all job searches, it starts with finding the right opportunity.

The UK Government website is a great place to start your search but you can also find the latest Masters degree apprenticeships on FindAMasters.com. Receive alerts on apprenticeships when they become available!

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