Degree apprenticeship vs graduate salary

Anon_123

Just wondering if anybody has any experience with degree apprenticeships as I understand they are a relatively new scheme. If so, what is the earning potential after the apprenticeship is completed compared to a graduate going into the same company/industry. I have recently got a degree apprenticeship offer in quantity surveying from an international company and just looking for some clarity in my future salary.

Savvy_Sue

If they are a relatively new scheme, then the answer is that it's too soon to tell!

nicechap

My niece and nephew did work while you do your degree in mech Engineering at South Bank uni. Both had low wages for 3 years of the degree study, and for first 2 years afterwards (or they'd have to pay back their training fees - although the nephew was offered a golden hello to cover this but opted to stay). One went on to work for cross rail on circa £45k a year, now in Austrailia on £100k (not Aus dollars). The other was working on circa £55k in UK after degree and is also now in Aus looking for work.

Although very hard work whilst studying, and missing out on social life, both have come up trumps and are seeing the world.

My daughter is doing a full time degree in Engineering and aside from a paid placement at Rolls Royce is ending up with a master s and a massive loan to repay. But she's had and continues to have a brillian social life. Her future earning potential will be mega.

marlot

I only know about the schemes in IT with a major employer. The degree apprenticeship is hard work - holding down about 80% of a full time job, at the same time as studying for 4-5 years.

But ... earning potential is higher for the apprentice. Especially after tax (no student debt to repay).

Lets say it takes five years...

• During the first three years, the apprentice is earning, and incurring no debt.
• During the following two years, the apprentice (certainly at the employer I was looking at) are paid about the same as the graduates. Indeed, projects prefer the apprentices as they add more value.
• Once graduated, the apprentice has their degree and five years experience. If their employer won't reward that satisfactorily, someone else will! And of course, they have no student loan to repay.

Degree apprenticeships are incredibly hard to get. Well done for getting an offer. Make sure that they will give you sufficient time for study - but expect to be working lots of evenings and weekends on top - its hard work.

getmore4less

Apprenticeships(combined work with education) go back centuries.

Although associated with the craft/technician they have been around for the higher professional levels as well(doctor training is in effect an apprenticeship)

They may look new but undergraduate(taking 1st degree) and graduate(got a 1st degree) apprenticeships have been around for over 60 years.

In engineering this was the only way to go if you wanted to kick start a career into the big money.

All the big engineering companies(and armed forces) did them and competition for places on undergrad programs was tough, especially combined with the top universities.

Sponsored for the duration with extra money on top of the grants(now fees paid).

Paid work during the holidays or a split(sandwich) program with extra periods of full time work

Chances to work with the latest tech in some sectors.

The companies also funded the uni and in return got projects done.

unless you messed up a guaranteed job with ongoing training and sponsored for the next education levels inc. chartered if you wanted.

Apprentices also had special status with the unions so companies liked them as they could do crossover jobs(part shop floor part management) on placements.


after the decline during the 80s-90s they have been resurrected in a new form but basically the same model.

xapprenticex

It seems like a good move, just make sure its in the area/industry you want to work in very very long term otherwise you kind of defeat the purpose.

redpete

getmore4less wrote: »

after the decline during the 80s-90s they have been resurrected in a new form but basically the same model.

Your description is more of sponsored degrees where the student does a normal degree with some payment and work during the holidays. Today's degree apprenticeships are more likely to be followed by someone already in full time work but spending around 20% of their time doing the academic degree.

After successfully completing a Level 6 degree apprenticeship you would expect to earn the same as a new graduate, maybe more because of having more real vocational experience. Someone on a Level 7 (masters) apprenticeship is likely to be some years into their career and earning a commensurate salary.

Anon_123

That!!!8217;s exactly what I!!!8217;m doing 80% work 20% study. Cheers for clearing the salary up for me it sounds as if degree apprenticeships are a rational option