Being a higher or degree apprentice

A higher or degree apprentice will have a job and study part-time, with an assessment and skills development programme in place. This enables the apprentice to earn while learning, and gain valuable skills and knowledge in a specific job role. 

Higher and degree apprenticeships at the University are available at levels 5 to 7. Level 5 is equivalent to a higher education certificate/ diploma or a foundation degree, level 6 is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, and level 7 is equivalent to a master’s degree. The majority of our higher apprenticeship programmes also include award of a University of Leeds degree. 

Standards

Each higher or degree apprenticeship programme is mapped to an occupational standard (see apprenticeship standards on the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education website). The standard sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours an apprentice is required to learn to be occupationally competent. 

Training

The apprentice develops their knowledge, skills and behaviours through a wide range of learning in the workplace and through formal off-the-job training. An individual learning plan is agreed for each apprentice. This forms part of the training plan which is formally signed by the apprentice, the employer and training provider before the apprenticeship can start.   

Progress against the individual learning plan is reviewed at regular tripartite progress review meetings.  Apprentices must participate in active learning every calendar month and are required to record their off-the-job learning hours using the OTJ activity log in PebblePad (ePortfolio system).   

English and Maths 

Apprentices are required to hold or achieve an ESFA approved Level 2 qualification in both English and maths (GCSE Grade C/4) before they can commence their end point assessment and successfully complete an apprenticeship. If apprentices cannot provide evidence of previous attainment in English and maths at Level 2, then they will be required to achieve Functional Skills during the apprenticeship. This will require the attendance of teaching sessions with one of the University’s third-party subcontractors and the completion of invigilated exams. 

End Point Assessment

End point assessment (EPA) takes place at the end of an apprenticeship when the formal training is completed. It is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours the apprentice has learned, which confirms if they are occupationally competent and can be awarded an apprenticeship. See end point assessment.

Apprentice handbook

The University of Leeds Apprentice handbook contains all the information that apprentices need to know about their programme. It provides an overview of the core topics and terminology used on apprenticeships and guides apprentices to useful sources of information.