For parents and caregivers: university or apprenticeship?

A UK university degree usually takes three or four years of academic study and can cost up to £9,250 per year. Apprentices earn a weekly wage as they gain skills and knowledge on the job, working towards a qualification. This guide will help you to support your child in choosing the best option for them.

Qualifications and experience

University

• Qualifications
  Universities typically offer four qualification levels: foundation degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and post-doctoral degree (PhD).
   
• Experience
  Some degrees include ‘sandwich years’, allowing your child to work for a year in their field. The majority don’t, however, and your child will need to use their own initiative, together with help from their university’s careers service, to gain relevant experience.

Apprenticeship

• Qualifications
  Apprenticeships can offer different levels of qualifications, ranging from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs, Scottish National 5s, etc.) all the way up to Level 6 (equivalent to a master’s degree).
   
• Experience
  The majority of your child’s time will be spent in the workplace, where they’ll develop a skill or trade through hands-on learning.
   

Keep in mind: Some careers, like doctor or barrister, require a degree in a specific field. Some employers, such as the Civil Service Fast Stream, don’t care what degree you have, as long as you have one. On the other hand, many employers value experience and technical skills as much as, if not more than, qualifications.

Cost and earning potential

University

• Scottish universities are free for home students, but those in Northern Ireland can charge up to £4,710 a year, Wales up to £9,000, and England up to £9,250. Fees for international students are even higher. In addition, your child may need to take out a maintenance loan to pay for their expenses whilst studying.
• The Graduate Labour Market Statistics show that, in 2022, the median salary for working graduates was £38,600, which was £11,500 more than working-age non-graduates (it’s worth noting, however, that someone who has completed a degree apprenticeship would fall within the ‘working graduate’ category).

Apprenticeship

• There are absolutely no tuition fees - the training your child will receive is paid for by the government. However, you’ll still need to factor in the cost of accommodation and other expenses.
• Your child will also earn a minimum hourly wage of £5.28/hour, increasing to £7.49/hour once they turn 18, and many employers choose to offer more.
• Apprenticeship salaries in the UK range between £15,000 and £25,000, according to Glassdoor, and the median salary for a former level 6/degree apprentice is £34,620.

Although these figures can be helpful as an overview of the cost and earning potential of the two pathways, it’s important to note that they don’t paint a complete picture. Your child’s earning potential will also be influenced by their chosen university or training provider, the subject they study, their enjoyment of the subject and learning style, their networking potential, and the job market.  

Keep in mind: Your child won’t need to pay their university tuition fees upfront; they can apply for a government loan which they will pay back at a rate that’s based on their earnings. Alternatively, there are plenty of universities around the world, particularly in Europe, that don’t have tuition fees. Using Unifrog’s European Universities tool, they can even filter their results by ‘no tuition fees’.

Lifestyle

University

• At university, your child will get to experience living in student halls, joining societies, and participating in student events. They’ll also have the opportunity to meet other students from all over the world.
• If they really enjoy learning and delving deep into a subject, a university will give them the opportunity to do just that, along with other students who are passionate about their chosen subject.

Apprenticeship

• The majority of your child’s time will be spent in the workplace, with one or two days per week or month spent in training. For some apprenticeships, this training takes place in a college or university; for others, it happens within the workplace itself.
• Apprentices are treated similarly to employees. Your child will earn a salary, meaning that they could also pay for their own accommodation and living expenses.
   

Keep in mind: As an apprentice, your child will have all the responsibility of a paid employee. If they like the independence of earning their own money, and they’re keen to get started in the workplace as soon as possible, this could be perfect for them. Others may prefer the idea of university as a transition between school and working life, where they can get involved in societies and meet new people.

Still not sure?

If your child is still not sure about which option is the right fit for them, that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s really common. Here are some tips to help you work through it together:

• Explore the options. Use Unifrog’s Apprenticeships or UK Universities tools to make shortlists of programmes. The shortlists will give your child all the details they need in terms of fees, qualifications, and lifestyle for each option.
• Speak to people who have been there and done it. Your child can do this by attending open days or doing some work experience.
• Keep your options open. If they’re still not sure, your child can use Unifrog’s Applications tool to accumulate everything they need for both options and even apply to both – they’ll have a year left to decide.
   

Advise your child to not worry too much about making the ‘wrong’ decision - there’s nothing stopping them from completing a degree after their apprenticeship, and vice versa.