The short answer
Digital apprenticeships include software development, data analysis, cyber security, network engineering and IT support, from Level 3 to degree level. Big employers publish starting pay from around £23,000 to £29,000, and degree routes often ask for 112 to 120 UCAS points. You don't have to work for a tech company: banks, retailers and broadcasters all hire digital apprentices.
Key figures
- VodafoneThree apprentice starting salary outside London (£28,940 in London)
- £26,300
- Source: VodafoneThree (opens in a new tab)
- KPMG technology degree apprenticeship salary (regions / London)
- £23,000–£25,000
- Source: KPMG UK (opens in a new tab)
- Starting salary on Lidl GB's IT degree apprenticeship, plus London weighting
- £28,500
- Source: Lidl GB (opens in a new tab)
“Digital” covers a huge range of jobs, and the best part is that almost every big organisation needs them. You could build software at a telecoms company, analyse data for an insurer or keep a bank’s systems secure.
Types of digital apprenticeship
The government’s apprenticeship site groups them into:
- Software development and testing
- Business and systems analysis
- Cyber security
- Data analysis
- Network infrastructure
Employers we’ve researched also offer IT support, digital marketing and technology consulting routes.
Who hires digital apprentices
You don’t have to join a tech company. Among the employers we’ve researched:
| Employer | Industry | Digital apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| BT Group | Telecoms | Levels 2–7; 446 apprentice roles in September 2024 |
| VodafoneThree | Telecoms | £26,300 outside London, £28,940 in London |
| KPMG | Professional services | Technology degree apprenticeship, £23,000–£25,000 |
| Lidl GB | Retail | IT degree apprenticeship, 41 months, £28,500 |
| Admiral | Insurance | Level 3 Data Analytics, 18 months, Cardiff |
| M&S | Retail | Level 3 Data Technician and Level 4 Data Analyst, 18 months |
What to compare
Entry requirements
Degree routes often ask for UCAS points: Lidl asks for 112 from STEM subjects, and KPMG asks for 120 from your top three grades on some programmes. Level 3 routes are more open. Check whether maths matters more than computing for the role.
Office or hybrid
Many digital roles are hybrid. Lidl’s IT degree apprentices usually spend 3 to 4 days a week in the office, and Admiral’s data apprenticeship mixes office time with study.
What you’ll specialise in
Some programmes let you choose later. Lidl’s IT degree apprentices specialise as an IT consultant, software engineer or network engineer. Ask how and when that choice is made.
Next steps
Compare every employer on our digital and technology page, and read our guide to online tests and video interviews, because most tech employers use them.
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.
- Digital apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)
- Apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)
- Technology apprenticeship (opens in a new tab)
- IT Degree Apprenticeship FAQs (opens in a new tab)
- BT Group to recruit more than 500 apprentices and graduates (opens in a new tab)
- Meet Our Data Apprentices (opens in a new tab)