This is our own independent research from public sources. The employer hasn't reviewed, paid for or approved it.
Key figures
- Length of the school leaver Retail Leaders programme
- 36 months
- Source: Marks & Spencer (opens in a new tab)
- School leaver places on the Retail Leaders programme for the 2024 intake
- 38
- Source: Marks & Spencer (opens in a new tab)
- Optional degree-equivalent apprenticeship for school leaver Retail Leaders
- Level 6
- Source: Marks & Spencer (opens in a new tab)
- Length of the Level 3 Data Technician and Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeships
- 18 months
- Source: Marks & Spencer (opens in a new tab)
Overview
Marks & Spencer is one of the UK’s best-known retailers, selling clothing, home products and food. For school leavers, its main route is the Retail Leaders programme.
Retail Leaders for school leavers
This 36-month programme trains you to run an M&S store. You spend your first 12 months learning to manage a store, with a management role within six months, and by the end you’re running a store of your own. M&S compares that to running a business with a multi-million-pound turnover.
From six months in, school leavers can take an optional Level 6 apprenticeship, which M&S describes as degree equivalent. For the 2024 intake, M&S offered 38 school leaver places. You need A levels, a BTEC, an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent by your start date.
Data apprenticeships
M&S runs two 18-month data apprenticeships: the Level 3 Data Technician Fellowship with Babington and the Level 4 Data Analyst Fellowship with Decoded.
Other apprenticeships
M&S’s apprentice stories cover engineering, HR, learning and development (Level 5), a chartered management degree apprenticeship and a Level 7 executive programme. Many of these are for people who already work at M&S, so check who each one is open to.
What they do
Marks & Spencer sells clothing, home products and food through its stores and online. Its early careers programmes include Retail Leaders (store management), and business programmes in food and in clothing and home.
Apprenticeships they offer
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Retail Leaders programme (school leavers)
Store management
You learn to manage a store in your first 12 months, with a management role within six months, and by the end you run a store of your own. School leavers can take an optional Level 6 apprenticeship, which M&S describes as degree equivalent, from six months in.
-
Data Technician Fellowship
Data
A Level 3 data apprenticeship run with training partner Babington.
-
Data Analyst Fellowship
Data
A Level 4 data apprenticeship run with Decoded.
-
Other apprenticeships
Engineering, HR, learning and development, management and leadership
M&S's apprentice stories include an engineering technician, an HR apprenticeship, a Level 5 learning and development apprenticeship, a chartered management degree apprenticeship and a Level 7 executive development programme. Many are for people who already work at M&S.
Career areas
Entry requirements
- Retail Leaders (school leavers)
- A levels, a BTEC, an NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent qualification, completed by your start date. From M&S's announcement of its 2024 intake.
Who can apply
- M&S doesn't set out general eligibility rules on the pages we reviewed. Check each programme before you apply.
Our tips for Marks & Spencer (M&S)
- The Level 6 apprenticeship on Retail Leaders is optional, so decide whether you want a degree-level qualification as well as the management experience.
- Some M&S apprenticeships are for people who already work there. Check a programme is open to new applicants before you apply.
- Think about leading a team. Retail Leaders puts you in a management role within six months.
- M&S doesn't publish apprentice pay on these pages, so ask about it at interview.
Summary
- M&S's Retail Leaders programme takes school leavers to running their own store in 36 months.
- School leavers can add an optional Level 6 apprenticeship, which M&S describes as degree equivalent.
- M&S also runs Level 3 and Level 4 data apprenticeships, each lasting 18 months.
- You need A levels, a BTEC, an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent for Retail Leaders.
Questions about Marks & Spencer (M&S) apprenticeships
Does M&S do apprenticeships for school leavers?
Yes. Its Retail Leaders programme takes school leavers and lasts 36 months, ending with you running your own store. You can add an optional Level 6 apprenticeship, which M&S describes as degree equivalent.
What qualifications do you need for the M&S Retail Leaders programme?
A levels, a BTEC, an NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent qualification, completed by the time you start.
Does M&S do data apprenticeships?
Yes. The Data Technician Fellowship is a Level 3 apprenticeship with Babington, and the Data Analyst Fellowship is a Level 4 apprenticeship with Decoded. Both take 18 months.
How quickly can you become a manager at M&S?
On Retail Leaders, M&S says you'll have a management role within six months, and you'll be running your own store by the end of the programme.
Which other retailers offer apprenticeships?
Lidl runs a four-year retail leadership degree apprenticeship, and Amazon has more than 20 apprenticeship programmes. 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.
- M&S resets Early Careers programme in search for its next generation of retail leaders (opens in a new tab) Published 19 October 2023, for the 2024 intake.
- Apprenticeships at M&S: Unlocking potential (opens in a new tab) Published 10 February 2025.
- From Data Novice to Data Champion (opens in a new tab)