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Degree Apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship is a way of training new or existing staff, giving them the skills and knowledge to exceed in their role.

We currently offer a Senior Leader Apprenticeship as part of our Executive Education programme, and an apprenticeship route to Qualified Teacher Status through our School of Education. We’re building on the success of our existing degree apprenticeship programmes to develop our portfolio and have identified potential opportunities in data science.
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The benefits of degree apprenticeships

We work with employers to provide the professional development required to meet the apprenticeship standard - an agreed collection of knowledge, skills and behaviours - expected by their chosen occupational area.

Working with our leading academics, apprentices have the opportunity to apply research-led learning directly in their workplace.

For employers

  • upskill your workforce
  • attract and retain staff
  • fill higher-level skill gaps in your organisation
  • improve business performance
  • Non-levy payers receive 95% funding from the government.

For apprentices

  • a cost-free degree
  • career development and greater earning potential
  • a salary while completing your degree
  • work-based skills you can use in your job
  • support and investment from your employer.

 

  

I chose Durham University because of its fantastic worldwide reputation. Communication has been brilliant throughout – from the time when I was choosing where to study to now – both remotely and in person the team are really helpful and supportive. I would highly recommend the course to anyone wishing to broaden their business knowledge and progress in their career.

Vicky Sykes-Kondic, LNER
Senior Leader Apprenticeship

How degree apprenticeships work

Apprentices are employed for at least 30 hours per week, spending 80% of their time in the workplace, with 20% on off-the job training.

They are required to demonstrate their workplace competence during the training, as well as academic learning to complete the programme, working towards an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship to showcase skills and knowledge.

How much does it cost?

If you’re an employer who pays the apprenticeship levy, with annual wage bills over £3m, training costs will be covered by the levy funds in your digital account.

Non-levy payers have access to government funding for up to 95% of the cost.

Large employers can transfer up to 25% of unused apprenticeship levy funds to another business to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Working in partnership

We’re currently looking to work with employers to build our portfolio of apprenticeships, aligning our strengths with the skills that are in high demand and will make a significant impact.

Apprenticeship standards are employer-led, with trailblazer groups of companies from a variety of sectors setting out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required in each occupational area.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Standards provides a comprehensive overview of approved standards, standards in development and proposed standards.

  

The Durham Senior Leader Apprenticeship

The Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship is a part-time, flexible programme aimed at highly motivated middle to senior managers across all sectors.  The programme can be tailored to your business’ needs and it provides real-world business education where apprentices continually apply their learning directly back into the workplace.  

  • Programme Delivery

    There will be a mixture of intensive face-to-face teaching blocks, virtual activities and online materials. Teaching blocks will be 2, 3 or 4 days in duration, typically on site at Durham University Business School, with online activities between sessions.
    Group of business school students
  • Chris Riding, Sage

    I’d recommend this apprenticeship to anyone working in a business who is looking to challenge themselves, develop new skills in areas such as leadership and strategy and feel they can use this greater insight to grow their organisation.
    Chris Riding from Sage Group plc

Programme Delivery

There will be a mixture of intensive face-to-face teaching blocks, virtual activities and online materials. Teaching blocks will be 2, 3 or 4 days in duration, typically on site at Durham University Business School, with online activities between sessions.
Group of business school students

Chris Riding, Sage

I’d recommend this apprenticeship to anyone working in a business who is looking to challenge themselves, develop new skills in areas such as leadership and strategy and feel they can use this greater insight to grow their organisation.
Chris Riding from Sage Group plc
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Operational information

Access links to our policy information.

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Talk to us

Get more information about our degree apprenticeships. Email: business.gateway@durham.ac.uk

Talk to us