Are you a recent graduate wondering about your next career move? Or someone looking for a career change? Many associate apprenticeships with school leavers, but you can indeed also do an apprenticeship after university.
Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, earn a competitive salary, and kickstart your career. However, there are specific considerations when applying for an apprenticeship after completing a degree. In this article, we’ll cover the caveats of doing an apprenticeship after university.
Can you do an apprenticeship if you already have a degree?
Absolutely! Apprenticeships are open to individuals at all stages of their careers, including those with university degrees.
While you can apply for an apprenticeship after university, there’s one important caveat: you generally can’t apply for an apprenticeship in a subject that you already have a degree in. The goal of an apprenticeship is to gain new skills and practical experience, so pursuing a program in a field you’ve already studied extensively wouldn’t be as beneficial.
However, you might be able to gain more skills in your chosen field with a level 7 apprenticeship — these are equivalent to a Master’s degree.
For example, if you have a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, you might not be able to do an apprenticeship in electrical engineering (unless it’s a level 7 apprenticeship). However, you might be able to pursue an apprenticeship in a related field, such as renewable energy engineering or electrical vehicle technology.
Am I too old for an apprenticeship?
You can do an apprenticeship at any age. Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 and living in the UK.
There is no upper age limit, so whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional looking for a career change, apprenticeships can be a viable option.
What type of apprenticeships can I do after university?
Apprenticeships are available at various levels, starting from Level 2 and going up to Level 7. Degree apprenticeships are the highest-level apprenticeships, combining on-the-job training with formal education to earn qualifications equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (Level 6) or a Master’s degree (Level 7).
If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you may be able to pursue a Level 7 apprenticeship in a related field. These apprenticeships are equivalent to a Master’s degree and can help you deepen your knowledge and skills in your chosen area.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a career change into a field that you don’t have a degree or work experience on, a lower-level apprenticeship might be a good starting point.
Conclusion
Apprenticeships are a fantastic option, even if you already have a university degree. There’s no age limit, so whether you’re a recent grad or a professional considering a career change, you can still take advantage of apprenticeships.
While you usually can’t do an apprenticeship in a subject you’ve already got a degree in, there are higher-level apprenticeships, like Level 7, that let you deepen your expertise in related areas. These can help you level up your skills and open up new career paths or higher-earning potential.
Think about your career goals and what you want to achieve when choosing an apprenticeship. With the right planning and effort, an apprenticeship can be a rewarding way to boost your career and reach your goals.
