Masters Degree Apprenticeships

A Masters apprenticeship allows you to gain a full Masters degree while working. You’ll 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. Masters apprenticeships are often also known as Graduate Apprenticeships (Scotland) and Higher-Level Apprenticeships (Northern Ireland).

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This might be the crossover you’re looking for — Masters-level study, practical training and work all combined in one degree apprenticeship.

In this guide, I’ve looked at what Masters degree apprenticeships are, how they work, who can benefit from them and how you can apply.

In the UK, you can do an apprenticeship at pretty much any level of study. They go all the way from secondary school (Levels 1-3) to higher education (Levels 4-8). These are the different levels of apprenticeships you can do:

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

In this guide, we’ll be focusing on degree apprenticeships — specifically Masters (Level 7) apprenticeships. As the name suggests, a level 7 apprenticeship is equivalent to a full-time Masters degree which means the study elements of your course will be designed to provide advanced training and build on existing qualifications and experience.

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

However, the requirements 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. Assessments 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 also 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.

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. You could be at university one or two times a week or in short bursts, like one week every few months. 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 End-Point Assessment (EPA) to conclude your apprenticeship. It will test both parts of your learning - the pratical side and the academic. An EPA usually includes:

• a practical test;
• a prensentation;
• an interview;
• a test (written or multiple-choice);
• and a workplace observation.

There could also be assignments you'll have to complete during your apprenticeship, but this depends on your area of study.

Degree apprenticeship vs part-time Masters

It is worth noting that there is massive difference between doing a degree apprenticeship and studying a Masters part-time. A degree apprenticeship is a joint effort between your university and employer. The practical and academic learnings complement each other to give you a wholistic experience.

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

The bad news is that the UK Government has changed the rules for Level 7 apprenticeship funding. From January 2026, only students aged 16-21, along with care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) who’re under 25 years of age will be eligible for funding.

Anyone already being funded before January 2026 will not be affected by these changes.

If you're eligible for funding and 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 also 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.

Getting paid while on an apprenticeship

Since you're in a full-time job, along with being funded you'll also get a salary. The amount will depend on the level of the job and industry. Masters apprenticeships may even pay more as you're exptected to be in senior positions with more responsibility.

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!

Tips from the author

#1 Think long term!

Not only is a degree apprenticeship much longer than a full-time Masters, but it’s also setting you up for a particular career trajectory. So, what you get up to during this time will be very important. Network, take initiative and get involved in as much as you can — you may go on to secure a permanent position with your employer!

#2 It’s not a means to an end

We’ve talked about how an apprenticeship is different from just juggling part-time work and study. It won't be 'just another job that brings in some extra cash'. It is a vital part of your training and you need to treat it seriously. And, not only because a workplace assessment is a part of your final grade!

Frequently Asked Questions

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