The number of degree apprenticeships is set to increase as the government announced the availability of new funds.

£8 million will be focused on supporting universities to design and deliver new degree apprenticeships while a further £2 million will be devoted to encouraging more learners to choose degree apprenticeships.

First launched in September 2015 and featured in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ 5 year plan, degree apprenticeships allow for the study for a degree while working. Designed by employers, universities and professional bodies, degree apprenticeships aim to offer young people “an alternative to a traditional degree”.

Recent research published by Universities UK, reported that degree apprenticeships are particularly attractive to “non-traditional” higher education students, and provided an opportunity for universities to support widening participation goals.   Whilst highlighting challenges for the future growth of degree apprenticeships, the report noted that degree apprenticeships are an “exciting development in vocational higher education” with apprentices likely to be highly employable, having benefited from studying a course tailored to sector needs and several years of workplace experience.