Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to apprenticeships. If you still have a question that is unanswered, please contact us, by emailing: apprenticeships@hope.ac.uk or call the team on 0151 291 2281.
What is a degree apprenticeship?
A Degree Apprenticeship is a way for an employee to combine work and higher-level learning to earn an undergraduate degree. At Liverpool Hope University, we are offering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship courses, which will give employees the opportunity to obtain a full bachelors degree. The apprentice would remain in or begin full-time employment and study alongside their job.
What are the benefits of doing a degree apprenticeship?
Choosing a degree apprenticeship with Liverpool Hope University and one of our Employer Partners, you will:
- Obtain a full bachelors degree and graduate debt free. Your tuition fees are fully funded by your employer and the government, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
- Earn a full-time salary while you study for your degree.
- Gain skills and experience in specific sectors relevant to your chosen career.
- Graduate with high quality skills, experience and connections, giving you a competitive advantage when exploring new opportunities.
- Apply your learning to real-world projects in the workplace.
- Achieve your ambitions in the workplace and accelerate your career.
- Enjoy the benefits of being a full-time employee whilst having paid time off for learning and study.
- Have access to a dedicated, sector qualified, Skills Coach to guide you through your apprenticeship journey and support your progress.
- Enjoy the benefits of being a Liverpool Hope University student! You will have access to our campus, including all of the incredible facilities and learning resources such as our 24/7 library.
- We were recently placed as the top University in the North West across six categories in the 2024 National Student Survey, including Academic Support, Learning Opportunities and Mental Wellbeing Services.
- A degree apprentice at Liverpool Hope University will have access to our University services, helping to ensure your experience is positive and you can achieve your full potential and level up your career.
Is a degree apprenticeship the same as a full time degree?
The qualification you receive at the end of a Degree Apprenticeship is the same as you would receive studying a full time degree at University. The difference is the way in which you study and learn. Rather than attend University full time, you will spend the majority of your time in your place of work, with a minimum of 80% of your time working and 20% of your time completing your studies. This will include a mixture of on-the-job and off-the-job (OTJ) training depending on the content of your chosen course.
How much does a degree apprenticeship cost?
The cost of a degree apprenticeship is covered by your employer and the Government, so you do not pay any fees towards your education.
How much will I be paid?
The salary is not dictated by the University and will be set by your employer, but it will need to at least meet the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage. You will be required to remain in full-time employment with your employer for the duration of your Degree Apprenticeship course.
How long does a degree apprenticeship take to complete?
A Degree Apprenticeship course can typically take between 2-4 years to complete, however, this varies dependent on your chosen course and the course content. You can find out more about this via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
Can I do a degree apprenticeship if I already have a degree?
Yes - you can still do a Degree Apprenticeship if you already have a degree, so long as it is in a different subject. The goal of an apprenticeship is to gain new skills and knowledge. You would also still need to ensure you meet all of the eligibility and entry criteria for your specific course.
Am I eligible to take a Degree Apprenticeship?
Degree Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 18, however, you will be required to meet the entry criteria of your chosen course. You can find out this information via Our Apprenticeship Courses page. You will be required to be in paid, full-time employment with an employer who is willing to support your apprenticeship and partner with Liverpool Hope University.
You and your employer must make sure the following criteria is met to be eligible for funding.
- You will be aged 18 or over before you start your course.
- You are a UK citizen with the Right to Work and Study in the UK (or you are a Non-UK citizen with the Right to Work and Study in the UK).
- You are currently in employment in England and will spend at least 50% of your working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship, and you are not self-employed.
- You are not planning to leave the UK within the next 12 months (excluding holidays).
- If you’ve already undertaken an apprenticeship, you will have completed or achieved and left that apprenticeship before undertaking this apprenticeship with Liverpool Hope University.
How are degree apprenticeships taught?
You will spend a minimum of 80% of your working hours in your place of work, training 'on-the-job.' You will spend a minimum of 20% of your working hours studying or completing off-the-job (OTJ) trianing. This may be attending lessons or workshops at Liverpool Hope University, completing online training or learning, practical skills workshops, shadowing, etc. This will again be determined by the content of your chosen course and full details are available via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
What happens if I leave my employer or my employment is terminated?
The funding for your Degree Apprenticeship will be accessed via your employer, so you will be required to remain in full time employment with them for the duration of your course. If you leave your employment or are terminated for any reason, you will unfortunately not be able to continue your course.
Under the apprenticeship rules, if you are made redundant and you have completed 75% of the practical period or have less than 6 months left, then you may complete the course. Otherwise, unless you find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date you are made redundant, then you will be withdrawn from the course.
Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to apprenticeships. If you still have a question that is unanswered, please contact us.
What is a degree apprenticeship?
A Degree Apprenticeship is a way for an employee to combine work and higher-level learning to earn an undergraduate degree. At Liverpool Hope University, we are offering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship courses, which will give employees the opportunity to obtain a full bachelors degree. The apprentice would remain in or begin full-time employment and study alongside their job.
What are the benefits of employing a degree apprenticeship?
- Hiring a Degree Apprentice can be a cost-effective way to develop and strengthen your workforce. Large employers can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to invest in the qualification, whilst Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) can get 95% of the qualification funded through Government support.
- You can demonstrate to your existing staff and new recruits that you are willing to invest in them and support their career progression, boosting positivity, well-being and retention.
- Attract new talent to your business who are motivated to learn and succeed, shaping them to understand your business and best practice.
- Bridge the gaps in skills and knowledge that are directly relevant for your business.
- Bring in new knowledge, fresh perspectives and up to date research and learning. A degree apprentice at Liverpool Hope University will have access to our expert teachers and research-based curriculum content, all of which can be used to grow and enhance your business.
- Apprenticeships can be a way to help diversify your business and improve social mobility.
What qualification will my apprentice achieve?
The apprentice will hold a full Bachelors degree (Level 6) qualification on completion of their Degree Apprenticeship course. Depending on their course and sector, they may also hold an Apprenticeship Certification alongside this.
How much does a degree apprenticeship cost?
The overall cost of an apprenticeship will depend on the subject and course your employee undertakes. However, the cost of studying an apprenticeship may be part-covered or fully covered by the Apprenticeship Levy, depending on your circumstances as an employer.
You will be expected to pay your apprentice/s a full-time salary and any other work-related costs (sick pay, holiday entitlement, etc.) You can set the salary, however, however it will need to at least meet the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage.
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
If you are a large organisation with an annual wage bill that is greater than £3 million annually, you will already be contributing 0.5% of your payroll to the Apprenticeship Levy each month as a levy tax. This is a payment that is required and automatically paid through your organisations PAYE alongside income tax and National Insurance. The Government applied a 10% top up to the funds each month. This money can be accessed and reinvested into your workforce in the form of an apprenticeship. The funds will expire after 24 months of entering the account unless they are used.
If you own a Small or Medium sized Enterprise (SME) and do not pay the levy tax, there are alternative options for you to access the benefits of hiring an apprentice. SME’s can receive 95% funding contribution from the Government through the co-investment apprenticeship model, meaning you will only need to cover 5% of the programme and assessment costs.
How long does a degree apprenticeship take to complete?
A Degree Apprenticeship course can typically take between 2- 5 years to complete, however, this varies dependent on the chosen course and the course content. You can find out more about this via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
How much time will my employee need to spend studying?
This will vary dependent on the chosen course, however, the guidelines are a minimum of 20% of their working hours should be spent studying or completing off-the-job (OTJ) training.
Specific course details can be found via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
What does Off-The-Job (OTJ) Training involve?
Off the Job Training applies to any time an apprentice will be required to study or complete learning towards their apprenticeship outside of work. This may be at the Liverpool Hope University Campus, online training or learning or placements outside of their workplace, with flexibility to suit different employer needs where required.
A Degree Apprenticeship will take approximately two - four years to complete, but again, this will vary depending on the course and its requirements.
At the end of the Degree Apprenticeship, the apprentice will complete an assessment called an End Point Assessment (EPA) to demonstrate their ability to perform in the job role. If they are successful, they will gain a Bachelors Degree alongside an Apprenticeship Certification.
Is my employee eligible?
Degree Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 18. However, an apprentice must meet the minimum entry criteria for their chosen course. All applicants are individually assessed for suitability. Entry criteria is specified per Degree Apprenticeship and details can be found via Our Apprenticeship Courses page.
You and your employee must make sure the following criteria is met to be eligible for funding.
- They will be aged 18 or over before they start their course.
- They are a UK citizen with the Right to Work and Study in the UK (or are a Non-UK citizen with the Right to Work and Study in the UK).
- They are currently in employment in England and will spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship, and are not self-employed.
- They are not planning to leave the UK within the next 12 months (excluding holidays).
- If they have already undertaken an apprenticeship, they will have completed or achieved and left that apprenticeship before undertaking this apprenticeship with Liverpool Hope University.
What happens if my employee leaves or their employment is terminated?
The funding for their Degree Apprenticeship is accessed via their employer, so they will be required to remain in full time employment with them for the duration of your course until completion of their End Point Assessment (EPA). If they leave your employment or are terminated for any reason, they will unfortunately not be able to continue your course.
Under the apprenticeship rules, if they are made redundant and have completed 75% of the practical period or have less than 6 months left, then they may complete the course. Otherwise, unless they find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date they are made redundant, they will be withdrawn from the course.
