This is our own independent research from public sources. The employer hasn't reviewed, paid for or approved it.
Key figures
- Starting salary on the Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship, plus 10% inside the M25
- £27,040
- Source: Lidl GB (opens in a new tab)
- Salary as a Store Manager by the end of the four-year apprenticeship
- £37,333
- Source: Lidl GB (opens in a new tab)
- Starting salary on the IT Degree Apprenticeship, plus London weighting
- £28,500
- Source: Lidl GB (opens in a new tab)
- Length of the IT degree apprenticeship, including a 5-month end-point assessment
- 41 months
- Source: Lidl GB (opens in a new tab)
Overview
Lidl GB has two degree apprenticeships: one to train future store managers and one in IT. Both pay well above the apprentice minimum wage and end with a bachelor’s degree.
Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship
This four-year programme is a fast track to running a Lidl store. You study for a BSc (Hons) in Retail Leadership with Kingston University while working your way up:
| When | Role |
|---|---|
| First 6 months | Customer Assistant training |
| Year 1 | Retail Shift Manager |
| Years 2–3 | Deputy Store Manager |
| Year 4 | Store Manager in Training |
Pay starts at £27,040 a year and rises to £37,333 as a Store Manager by the end, with guaranteed pay rises at key points. Stores inside the M25 add 10% London weighting. You need to live, or move, within an hour’s commute of your store.
IT Degree Apprenticeship
This one is based at Lidl’s head office in Tolworth, south-west London. You specialise as an IT consultant, software engineer or network engineer, and study for a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions, taught by QA with Northumbria University. It lasts 41 months: 36 months of study plus a five-month end-point assessment. You work a 40-hour week, usually three or four days in the office, with about 20% of your time on study. Pay starts at £28,500 plus London weighting.
You need to be 18 or over by the start date, with 112 UCAS points from STEM subjects and GCSE English and maths at grade 4.
What they do
Lidl GB runs supermarkets across Great Britain, split into 13 regions, each supported by a regional distribution centre. Its head office is in Tolworth, south-west London.
Apprenticeships they offer
-
Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship
Store management
A BSc (Hons) in Retail Leadership with Kingston University. You start with six months of Customer Assistant training, then work up through Retail Shift Manager (year 1), Deputy Store Manager (years 2–3) and Store Manager in Training (year 4). Pay rises at set milestones, with an extra 10% for stores inside the M25.
-
IT Degree Apprenticeship
IT consulting, software engineering or network engineering
A BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions, taught by QA with Northumbria University. Based at the head office in Tolworth on a 40-hour week, usually 3 to 4 days in the office, with about 20% of your time on study. Plus London weighting.
Career areas
Entry requirements
- Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship
- Maths and English at Level 2 or above (GCSE grade 4, or C). Kingston University also uses UCAS tariff points and may consider other evidence. From Lidl's programme page.
- IT Degree Apprenticeship
- At least 112 UCAS points from Level 3 qualifications in STEM subjects (such as A levels or BTECs), plus GCSE English and maths at grade 4 (C) or above. From Lidl's IT degree apprenticeship FAQs.
Who can apply
- Both programmes need you to have lived in the UK (or the EEA, for IT) for at least three years before you start, and to have the right to work in the UK.
- For the retail programme, you need to live, or be willing to move, within an hour's commute of your store.
- The IT programme needs you to be 18 or over by the start date and not in other funded education.
Our tips for Lidl GB
- The retail route is a fast track to running a store: you'd be a Store Manager in Training by year four. Be ready to talk about leading people, not just shop work.
- For the IT route, Lidl recommends a UK driving licence, because you may need to travel to regional IT sites.
- Check the pay carefully. The retail starting salary is higher in stores inside the M25.
- Compare Lidl's degree apprenticeships with other retailers in our retail and logistics comparison table before you apply.
Summary
- Lidl's Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship takes four years and gets you a BSc (Hons) from Kingston University.
- Pay starts at £27,040 and rises to £37,333 as a Store Manager, with 10% more inside the M25.
- Its IT degree apprenticeship pays £28,500 plus London weighting and takes 41 months, based at the head office in Tolworth.
- You need GCSE maths and English at grade 4, and the IT route also asks for 112 UCAS points in STEM subjects.
Questions about Lidl GB apprenticeships
How much does the Lidl degree apprenticeship pay?
The Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship starts at £27,040 a year and rises to £37,333 as a Store Manager by the end, with an extra 10% for stores inside the M25. The IT degree apprenticeship starts at £28,500 plus London weighting.
What qualifications do you need for the Lidl degree apprenticeship?
For the retail route, maths and English at Level 2 or above (GCSE grade 4 or C). For the IT route, 112 UCAS points from Level 3 STEM qualifications plus GCSE English and maths at grade 4.
How long is the Lidl Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship?
Four years. You start with six months of Customer Assistant training, then move up through Retail Shift Manager and Deputy Store Manager to Store Manager in Training in year four, while studying for a BSc (Hons) with Kingston University.
Do you have to move for a Lidl apprenticeship?
For the retail route you need to live, or move, within an hour's commute of the store you'll work in. The IT route is based at Lidl's head office in Tolworth.
Which other supermarkets offer degree apprenticeships?
M&S offers an optional Level 6 apprenticeship on its school leaver Retail Leaders programme. Compare them in our retail and logistics table.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.