A-Levels are a great foundation, but they’re not the only path after sixth form.
If you’ve completed (or are about to complete) your A-Levels, apprenticeships offer an exciting alternative to university. You can gain real-world experience, earn a salary, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification or degree, without paying tuition fees.
Apprenticeships after A-Levels combine the best of both worlds: professional training with academic study, designed to fast-track your career while you learn.
What Types of Apprenticeships Are Available After A-Levels?
After finishing your A-Levels, you can apply for:
Higher Apprenticeships (Levels 4–5)
Equivalent to the first years of university (such as a Foundation Degree, HNC or HND), Higher Apprenticeships are ideal for developing specialist skills while you work for an employer.
They usually last two to five years and often require two A-Levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications) plus GCSEs in English and Maths, depending on the Apprenticeship provider.
Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6–7)
Degree Apprenticeships are equivalent to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree; these programmes are offered by universities in partnership with employers. You’ll earn a degree, gain professional experience, and graduate debt-free, a major advantage compared with the traditional university route.
Can You Still Do a Level 3 Apprenticeship After A-Levels?
Yes, although Level 3 apprenticeships are equivalent to A-Levels, some students choose them to:
- Build practical experience in a new or applied subject area.
- Strengthen their technical or vocational skills before progressing to higher levels.
- Meet specific entry requirements for a chosen industry.
So, if your A-Levels were more academic, a Level 3 apprenticeship can help you apply those skills in a hands-on, workplace environment.
Why Choose a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship?
Choosing a higher or degree apprenticeship after A-Levels offers a powerful combination of academic study and real-world experience. You earn a salary from day one, gain valuable hands-on skills in a professional environment, and avoid the tuition fees associated with university study, as costs are covered by your employer and the government.
Apprenticeships allow you to build practical knowledge and confidence, develop industry connections, and often lead directly to a permanent role after completion. They also provide clear pathways for progression, enabling you to move from one qualification level to the next as your skills grow.
However, it’s important to be aware that these programmes can be competitive, require strong time management to balance work and study, and are often focused on specific industries or career routes.
For students who are motivated, organised, and keen to learn through experience, higher and degree apprenticeships can be an excellent alternative to traditional university degrees.
Advantages & Things to Be Aware Of
Advantages:
- Earn while you learn: You get a salary from day one.
- No tuition fees: (Or minimal) for the degree component because it’s funded by employer + government contributions
- Real experience: Work experience is built in. This can give you a head start in employability and skills that pure academic degrees may not provide.
- Multiple levels of progression: You can move from Level 3 to a Higher apprenticeship as you build skills.
Things to check / potential challenges:
- Competition and entry requirements: Degree apprenticeships often have higher academic requirements (grades, UCAS points). Not all roles accept Level 3 only.
- Time balance: you’ll be working + studying; apprenticeships demand disciplined time management.
- Fewer options in some subjects: some subjects (especially non-vocational ones) have fewer degree apprenticeship schemes available.
- Commitment: working for an employer means you may have to stay with the employer for the duration of the apprenticeship; changing direction mid-apprenticeship can be more complex than at university.
How to Find and Apply to Degree Apprenticeships After A-Levels
Start early
Apprenticeship schemes are advertised with varying deadlines. Some degree apprenticeships open in the autumn or spring for starts after the summer. Keep an eye on key sites.
Use official sources/job boards
- GOV.UK “Find an Apprenticeship” portal
- National Careers Service
- Specialist apprenticeship sites (e.g. RateMyApprenticeship)
- Companies in sectors you’re interested in (e.g engineering, tech, finance) — many large firms offer their own schemes.
Check entry requirements carefully
Check how many A-Levels, what grades, any subject requirements, English & Maths GCSEs, etc. Make sure you meet or are close to meeting them. If not, strengthen your profile with work experience, volunteering, and additional qualifications.
Prepare for the application process
- CV / personal statement: emphasise relevant skills, projects, and work experience.
- Interviews/assessments: Many apprenticeships include assessments, technical tasks, or interviews with the employer and university.
- Be ready to show you can manage work + study.
Think about your long-term goal!
What sector do you want to work in for 5-10 years? If you know, target degree apprenticeships in those sectors. If still undecided, higher apprenticeships can give you more exposure before committing to a full degree route.
Sectors Where Degree Apprenticeships After A-Levels Are Popular
Apprenticeships are expanding across many industries, including:
- Business, Leadership & Management
- Digital Marketing
- Education & Training
- Sport, Fitness & Coaching
- Events and TV/Film
Some well-known companies and universities partner for degree apprenticeships in these areas. Looking at their websites can give you specific details of vacancies and entry criteria.
Your Next Steps After A Levels
Completing A-Levels opens many doors, and apprenticeships are one of the most powerful ways to continue learning while starting your career. Whether you step straight into a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship, or choose to build up experience through a Level 3, this pathway lets you earn, learn, and progress, all at the same time.
Plan ahead, research your options, and apply early, your apprenticeship journey could be the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career.
Join Access Industry and turn your A-Levels into real-world skills. Earn, learn, and get ahead in a career you love, with expert guidance every step of the way. Explore our apprenticeships today!
