Combine working with studying part-time at a leading university – giving apprentices and employers the best of both worlds. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been successfully delivering higher and degree apprenticeships since 2015, providing training solutions to a wide range of businesses.

Why undertake an apprenticeship at NTU?

They are a great way to get the qualification(s) you need, without missing out on your work. Your employer covers the cost of your study, so you won’t have to pay for any of it yourself.

Simply put, you’ll earn while you learn: apprenticeships combine on-the-job training (about 80% of your normal week) with off-the-job learning (about 20%), meaning you’ll get the perfect balance between work and study. What’s more, you’ll get the benefits of your relationship with both sides – the pension schemes and paid leave of an employer, and the facilities, discounts and support services of a major university.

An apprenticeship in the workplace…

You’ll work a normal week – typically about 30 hours – with your employer, building up your hands-on experience and putting your learning into practice. That employer could be a huge national chain or a small local business; all kinds of companies invest in developing their staff. You’ll be paid a salary, and don’t need to worry about your apprenticeship interrupting your other commitments. NTU comes to your workplace or arrange an online meeting for visits and assessments, to make sure you’re progressing in the role and learning like you need to.

… and on campus

For most of your apprenticeship, you’ll be learning on the job. But when it comes to the uni element – whether you’re visiting NTU for classes, meeting with your tutors and mentors, or just using facilities like the library – you can expect the same standards of learning and support. The taught lessons are a nice change of pace, giving you the chance to build up key skills and ask lots of questions.

NTU has been named nationally as a “University of the Year” meaning there’s no better partner to complete your apprenticeship with. With NTU , you can expect a great experience in and outside of the classroom – the perfect blend of theory and hands-on practice.

Earning while learning

An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with academic learning. It leads to a nationally recognised qualification and provides apprentices with the opportunity to acquire the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours to be fully competent and confident in their chosen area of work.

An apprenticeship could be the ideal choice for school-leavers looking for an alternative route to full-time university, or existing employees seeking to gain a higher-level qualification to enhance their career progression, a higher or degree apprenticeship. 

NTU offer apprenticeships starting from Level 3 and up to Level 7. Degree apprenticeships were introduced by the Government in March 2015 and have become a popular alternative route to full-time university education.

How are apprenticeships taught?

Apprenticeships allow for flexible learning alongside a job, with each course being taught differently. Some of the NTU courses require participants to attend sessions on campus in either block sessions or on day release, whilst others are 100% distant learning with apprentices undertaking their study online. Time studying is considered ‘off-the-job’ training, examples of these off-the-job elements include independent study, taught block sessions, workplace mentor meetings, and online learning.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are open to all individuals aged 16 and over, whether they're a school leaver and starting their first job, or are currently employed and looking to progress their career within their current organisation. There’s no upper age limit to those looking to undertake an apprenticeship, however applicants must meet the entry requirements as highlighted on the individual course pages.

How much does an apprenticeship cost?

The costs associated with the training are covered by the employer. This means apprentices will not build up any student debt, instead they will earn a salary from their employer, whilst gaining a qualification. Apprentices won’t be entitled to any student finance.

How long does an apprenticeship take?

The duration of an apprenticeship differs from course to course, a typical degree apprenticeship can take anywhere between two and seven years. Potential applicants can find details of the length of individual courses on each dedicated course page.

How to become an apprentice

To apply for an apprenticeship at NTU, candidates must be employed. 

Companies will have their own recruitment process and candidates will be required to meet the entry requirements for their course of interest. Details of these entry requirements can be found on individual course pages.

For those already in employment and their employer has offered to support them undertaking an apprenticeship, they can apply directly to NTU via its online portal, accessible on each apprenticeship course page.

Why undertake an apprenticeship through NTU?

They are a great way to get the qualification(s) needed, without missing out on work. Employers cover the cost of the study, so apprentices won’t have to pay for any of it themselves.

Simply put, apprentices earn while they learn: apprenticeship combine on-the-job training (about 80% of a normal week) with off-the-job learning (about 20%), meaning apprentices get the perfect balance between work and study. What’s more, apprentices get the benefits of their relationship with both sides – the pension schemes and paid leave of an employer, and the facilities, discounts and support services of a major university.

Apprenticeship in the workplace

Apprentices will work a normal week – typically about 30 hours – with their employer, building up their hands-on experience and putting their learning into practice. That employer could be a huge national chain or a small local business; all kinds of companies invest in developing their staff.

Apprentices will be paid a salary, and don’t need to worry about their apprenticeship interrupting their other commitments. NTU will come to their workplace or arrange an online meeting for visits and assessments, to make sure the apprentice is progressing in the role and learning like they need to.

Apprenticeship on campus

For most of the apprenticeship, apprentices will be learning on the job. But when it comes to the uni element – whether they're visiting NTU for classes, meeting with their tutors and mentors, or just using facilities like the library – apprentices can expect the same standards of learning and support.

The taught lessons are a nice change of pace, giving apprentices the chance to build up key skills and ask lots of questions.

NTU was named nationally as a University of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2019, meaning there’s no better partner to complete an apprenticeship. With NTU, apprentices can expect a great experience in and outside of the classroom – the perfect blend of theory and hands-on practice.

Earn while you learn through an apprenticeship with NTU 

Take a look at the higher and degree apprenticeships Nottingham Trent University has on offer. Apprentices will need to meet entry requirements, which differ depending on the programme.

Sound like the career path you want to take? Consider an apprenticeship as a great career pathway. 

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