Apprenticeship glossary

Degree-level

What does Degree-level mean?

At the same level as a degree (Levels 6 and 7) without necessarily giving you an actual degree. The BBC, for example, says not all of its Level 6 apprenticeships include a degree.

Find out more

Guide Degree apprenticeships explained How degree apprenticeships let you get a degree while you work, how many people do them, how long they take, and what to check before you apply, including the different routes in Scotland and Wales. Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales
Bachelor's degree
An undergraduate university degree, such as a BA or BSc, at Level 6. Many degree apprenticeships lead to a full bachelor's degree.
Degree apprenticeship
An apprenticeship at Level 6 or 7 in England (Level 6 in Wales) where you can get a bachelor's or master's degree while working. Not every Level 6 or 7 apprenticeship includes a degree.
Apprentice
Someone doing an apprenticeship: an employee who is paid to work and train towards a recognised qualification at the same time.
Apprenticeship
A real, paid job where you also train towards a recognised qualification. In England at least 20% of your normal working hours are spent training, and you don't pay tuition fees.
Level
How advanced an apprenticeship's qualification is. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland they run from Level 2 (like GCSEs) to Level 7 (like a master's degree). Scotland uses SCQF levels instead.
Department for Education (DfE)
The UK government department responsible for apprenticeships in England. It publishes England's official apprenticeship statistics.

Definitions are our own plain-English summaries. Where we give figures, they come from the official sources listed on the linked guide or profile. Rules can change, so check the official source before you make decisions.