A type of apprenticeship that combines working and studying toward a university degree. It allows individuals to gain practical work experience in a specific profession while also completing academic coursework that leads to a degree, typically in fields like engineering, healthcare, IT, and business. Degree apprenticeships are particularly prominent in the United Kingdom and some other European countries, where they integrate the workplace with university education, offering an alternative to traditional higher education.

Features include:

• Work-Based Learning: Apprentices work for an employer, applying what they learn in real-time, often in a structured program.
• Academic Study: Apprentices undertake academic study which could be at the level of a bachelor's or master's degree, often delivered by a university or higher education institution.
• Employer Sponsorship: Employers sponsor the apprenticeship (pay apprentice's salary and often cover the costs of academic tuition).
• Paid Employment: Apprentices receive a salary while participating in the program.
• Qualification: Upon completion, apprentices earn both a degree and work experience.

Degree apprenticeships differ from other types of apprenticeships:

• Academic Focus: Traditional apprenticeships focus on learning practical skills on the job, while degree apprenticeships require the completion of higher education qualifications (degrees). In regular apprenticeships, participants may not pursue a formal degree.
• Level of Study: Traditional apprenticeships may lead to a certificate or a vocational qualification rather than university degree. Degree apprenticeships are typically tied to degree-level qualifications (such as Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).
• Duration: Degree apprenticeships generally take longer than nondegree apprenticeships because they require academic study in addition to the work experience. Degree apprenticeships tend to last 3-6 years compared to other apprenticeships (1-3 years).
• Costs: Employers and government often split the cost of degree apprenticeships. Traditional apprenticeships are usually less expensive and shorter-term for employers and participants.