Apprenticeships
Why Choose BCU?
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a high-quality alternative to a traditional university degree. They allow apprentices to achieve a higher education qualification while working full-time and gaining experience in the workplace.
Birmingham City University’s apprenticeships build on our well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes, working with some of the country’s leading employers, including Jewson, Mitchells & Butlers and Greene King.
Become an apprentice
Find out more about degree apprenticeships to help you decide whether an apprenticeship is right for you.
Offer an apprenticeship
Find out more about how degree apprenticeships can transform your business.
Our Apprenticeships
-
Assistant Practitioner (Health)
-
Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer
-
Chartered Surveyor (Quantity Surveying)
-
Chartered Surveyor (Real Estate)
-
Civil Engineer
-
Civil Engineering Senior Technician
-
Construction Site Management
-
Diagnostic Radiographer
-
Nursing Associate
-
Operating Department Practitioner
-
Paramedic
-
Registered Nurse
-
Senior Healthcare Support Worker
-
Speech and Language Therapist
-
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist
How we support you
Business benefits
Using the levy
Who is eligible?
Business support
How does it work?
Business benefits
Offering apprenticeships can be a way for employers to attract high-quality new talent with a desire to progress to a Bachelor's or Master's degree level of education. It can also be a practical way to fill any skills gaps that may exist within the workforce, as the apprentices will be learning sector-specific skills from the start. Staff who have trained with a company may have greater loyalty, and be more likely to stay for a long period, providing opportunities for businesses to produce their own leaders from within.
Using the levy
Apprenticeships will be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, which is paid by all UK employers with a total payroll of over £3 million a year. Employers that are subject to the levy can claim back their payments to fund apprenticeships, and all employers can claim up to 95 per cent of the cost of training and assessing apprenticeships. There is no cost to the apprentice.
Calculate your levy
What is the total value of your payroll?
£Levy:£0
Collected by HMRC:£0
Digital voucher amount:£0
Who is eligible?
Anyone aged over 16 and not in full-time education, who spends at least 50% of their working hours in England, may apply for an apprenticeship. Employers may offer apprenticeships to new recruits or existing employees; these apprenticeships must include a genuine job with a contract lasting for at least the length of the period of study, and pay an apprentice wage.
Business support
All businesses who work with us on a degree apprenticeship are given a named contact who they can speak to at any time with any questions or concerns. All participants are given a mentor and receive the same levels of academic and pastoral support as our full-time students, including access to the Centre for Academic Success, which can provide help with skills such as mathematics and academic writing.
HOW DO HIGHER OR DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS WORK?
Apprentices on these programmes spend part of their time studying at the University and the rest working for one of our partner employers, earning a full-time wage and getting invaluable experience of the workplace. They will work with and make connections with people in their chosen industry, and at the end of their course, they will have between three and six years' work experience and a degree-level qualification.
End Point Assessment
An End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final part of the apprenticeship Journey. It’s an impartial, final assessment of whether the apprentice can demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard.
Latest Case Studies
A day in the life of a Speech and Language Therapy Apprentice
Rachel shares a typical day in the life with you as an apprentice working in the NHS.
Rachel's experienceWhy Rebecca chose a degree apprenticeship
Rebecca knew she wanted a balance between learning and experience, a degree apprenticeship has offered her just that.
Rebecca's experienceTanith's apprenticeship story
Tanith was eager to learn more and progress in the healthcare sector. Studying a degree apprenticeship has helped her gain the knowledge she needed to secure a new role.
Tanith's experienceMy Operating Department Practice Degree Apprenticeship
A degree apprenticeship means Magda can pursue her dream of working within healthcare whilst supporting and prioritising her family.
Magda's experienceApprenticeships in development
We are constantly looking for new areas to expand our apprenticeship provision and are currently working on new programmes in the areas listed below. Please keep checking back, or contact us for the latest information.
- Digital Technology Solutions Professional
- Building Services Design Engineering
- Radiographer
- Sonographer