Higher apprenticeships

If the prospect of learning on the job while earning a wage and studying towards a vocational college qualification sounds appealing, discover more about higher apprenticeships

Key information for higher apprenticeships

Available at Levels 4 and 5.
Equivalent to the first year of a Bachelors degree, HNC, HND or foundation degree.
Last two to five years.
You can typically earn £20,000 to £24,000 per year.

The latest GOV.UK apprenticeship figures (November 2024) show that higher apprenticeships continue to grow in popularity.

There were 8.2% more higher apprenticeship starts in 2023/24 than in the previous year, with the total number of starts rising from 112,930 to 122,230.

What is a higher apprenticeship?

As with other apprenticeships, a higher apprenticeship is a route into a real job, where you'll also get to study towards a recognised qualification. Taking between two and five years to complete, higher apprenticeships are available at Level 4 and Level 5 through study at a further education (FE) college.

The former level is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree or Higher National Certificate (HNC), with the latter directly compared to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or foundation degree (FD).

Read more about the various apprenticeship standards at what is an apprenticeship?

Who is a higher apprenticeship for?

Higher apprenticeships are a popular paid job opportunity for those aged 16 and over, living in England and not already enrolled in full-time education.

They're ideal if you're:

at the start of your career
hoping to develop skills for your current role
or interested in changing careers.

Get an overview of the UK's FE sector.

What subjects can I do a higher apprenticeship in?

Higher apprenticeships are available in a range of subjects. Discover what's involved with higher apprenticeships in:

Which employers offer higher apprenticeships?

Leading recruiters across all sectors run annual higher apprenticeship programmes, including:

Aon - offers Level 4 insurance apprenticeships with the opportunity to achieve a professional qualification from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
BAE Systems - delivers apprenticeship programmes at Levels 4 and 5 in various areas, including business, commercial, engineering, finance, HR, IT and supply chain.
Babcock - a choice of higher apprenticeships in data analytics, electrical design, engineering, finance, and procurement and supply chain.
Barclays - a range of programmes lasting three to five years in areas ranging from corporate and global banking to cyber security, finance and HR.
BBC - Levels 4 and 5 roles include data analyst, journalist, junior production coordinator and post-production technical operator.
BP - the energy company offers three Level 4 programmes in digital product management, software and platform engineering, and supply, trading and shipping.
Civil Service - work for government departments such as the Ministry of Defence (MoD), gaining experience in areas like finance, digital and counter fraud.
National Health Service (NHS) - a variety of roles such as associate ambulance practitioner, HR consultant, nursing associate and healthcare science associate.
Rolls-Royce - the vehicle manufacturer runs two Level 4 programmes. You could work as a nuclear engineering technician or join its procurement department.
WTW - data engineer and software developer programmes are available at Level 4.

Where can I find a higher apprenticeship?

Higher apprenticeships are available nationwide, with employers working with local colleges to deliver the qualification.

To discover what's currently available, search for higher apprenticeships near you at GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship.

What qualifications and grades do you need?

Employers will set their criteria for entry onto their programmes. These typically involve a combination of GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalent).

If you haven't got GCSEs in maths and English, you'll need to take the functional skills qualification as part of the apprenticeship.

To give you an idea of what might be expected of you, the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Level 4 Finance Apprenticeship expects five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (including maths and English language) plus at least 96 UCAS Tariff points - for example, CCC at A-level (or equivalent).

BAE Systems expects similar to the above but seeks out 18-year-olds who've studied a science subject for engineering or technical roles.

On the other hand, to be eligible for Rolls-Royce's Procurement Higher Apprenticeship, you'll need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English language, and 64 UCAS points (obtained or predicted). These can be from a variety of qualifications, such as two A-levels at grade C in any subject excluding general studies or a Level 3 BTEC in any subject.

When and how do I apply?

Some employers take on apprentices throughout the year, but others keep to a recruitment cycle. For companies advertising September start dates, the application process usually takes place from October until February or March.

For example, BP begins recruiting for its higher apprenticeship roles in November.

As with most jobs, you'll apply for your apprenticeship directly to the employer.

In the first instance, you'll typically complete an online job application or submit a CV and cover letter.

This is followed by an interview, although you may be asked to attend an assessment centre.

Get the lowdown on how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Will I get paid?

As an apprentice on a higher apprenticeship programme, you'll receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group.

For all those aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over and who are in their first year, the current apprenticeship wage (as of April 2024) is £6.40.

Read more about what you're entitled to as an apprentice at GOV.UK - Become an apprentice.

While employers are not obliged to pay their apprentices over and above the NMW, many offer more competitive wages.

Here are some examples of annual salaries on offer in 2025:

Babcock - £22,393 in year one (rising annually to reach £35,422 by year four) for its Level 4 Higher Level Engineering Apprenticeship.
BAE Systems - £23,286 for its Information Management and Technology Higher Apprenticeship.
Barclays - £24,000.
BBC - £21,840, plus a £5,318 living allowance for its Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship.
BP - £19,600 to £24,100, plus a £3,000 joining allowance.
MoD (Civil Service) - £29,580 for its Level 4 Finance Apprenticeship.
Rolls-Royce - £19,574 for its two higher apprenticeships.
Thames Water - £20,000 for its Level 4 Accounts Technician Apprenticeship.

The average salary for a higher apprentice is £22,000 to £24,000, although it can be as high as £30,000 per year.

Will I be guaranteed a job?

While there are usually no promises that you'll be taken on permanently after completing your apprenticeship, if you perform well during the programme, you have a great chance of landing a position.

Upon completing an apprenticeship, some apprentices continue their studies by progressing to a Level 6 or Level 7 degree apprenticeship.

Alternatively, if staying with your employer isn't an option, you could decide to go to university and study for a Bachelors degree full time.

Consider whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship and discover other alternatives to university.

Find out more

Search higher apprenticeship opportunities.
Read about studying A-levels at college.
Explore the full range of college courses.