Degree-level apprenticeships in the UK

Degree-level apprenticeships in the UK have grown rapidly as a debt-free, work-integrated alternative to traditional university pathways, enabling learners to earn while they gain practical, in-demand skills.

Their success across sectors like teaching, healthcare, and law demonstrates the value of structured, employer-led models that better prepare graduates for work—reinforcing the case for similar approaches in Aotearoa New Zealand to expand access, reduce attrition, and meet workforce needs.