Degree apprenticeships can sound almost too good to be true, making you wonder: what’s the catch?
They offer some brilliant benefits, but they are not an easy option. You’ll need to balance work with study, competition can be high, and the experience is very different from traditional university life.
So, if you’re thinking about what to do after school or college, here are five common apprenticeship myths – and what the reality looks like.
Myth 1: Degree apprenticeships aren’t as good as university degrees
Degree apprenticeships combine higher education with real workplace experience.
Depending on the programme, you can work towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree while earning a salary.
That means you can build:
- A recognised qualification
- Real work experience
- Professional skills
- Industry contacts
- Several years of employment experience
Many major employers recruit apprentices alongside graduates, so apprenticeships are not simply a second-choice route.
However, they are different from full-time university.
University may give you more time to explore your subject and enjoy traditional student life. A degree apprenticeship often means choosing a job and career direction much earlier. Completing a degree apprenticeship also means losing the choices traditional university students make – think picking your university (usually set by the employer) or your modules (course requirements can be stricter).
The best route depends on what suits you.
Want to compare the two options? Read our guide to University vs Apprenticeships: A Guide to Choosing Your Path.
Myth 2: Apprenticeships are only for trades
Apprenticeships are often linked with traditional trades such as construction and plumbing – but today they cover a much wider range of careers.
You can find apprenticeships in areas such as:
- Accounting and finance
- Business and management
- Digital and technology
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Law
- Marketing
- Professional services
And the number of higher-level opportunities is also growing.
Higher apprenticeship starts in England increased by 13.6% between August 2025 and April 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. Find out the latest government apprenticeship statistics here.
There are still fewer opportunities in some industries, and popular schemes can be very competitive. But apprenticeships now offer routes into far more careers than many people realise.
Myth 3: Apprentices are barely paid
Apprentice pay can vary a lot.
From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £8.00 per hour. This rate applies if you are aged 16 to 18 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship.
If you’re 19 or over and have finished your first year, you’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for your age.
But remember: this is the legal minimum. Actual apprentice salaries depend on factors such as employer, industry, location and apprenticeship level.
There is another major financial benefit. With a degree apprenticeship, you don’t pay university tuition fees yourself. So, you can avoid taking out a tuition fee loan for the degree element of the programme – and don’t have to make student loan repayments for your degree.
Myth 4: Degree Apprenticeships are easier than full-time study
Definitely not.
A degree apprenticeship means balancing a job with study and training.
Your week could involve:
- Working for your employer
- Completing apprenticeship training
- Studying for exams
- Working on assignments
- Meeting coursework deadlines
Your programme will include training during working hours, but busy periods may still mean studying in your own time.
The lifestyle is different from university too. Apprentices usually spend most of their week in a working environment rather than attending lectures and seminars on campus.
You can still socialise, meet other apprentices and sometimes spend time at a university. However, the experience won’t feel like traditional student life. For example, although you’ll have a student ID and can join university societies and clubs, attending events might be tough because of your work commitments.
Myth 5: Degree Apprenticeships are only for school leavers
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. They are open to people aged 18 and over, with no general upper age limit.
That means apprenticeships can suit people who want to:
- Start their first career
- Learn new skills
- Gain a qualification
- Retrain for a new industry
- Progress within their current job
Employers might also use apprenticeships to train existing members of staff. So, one apprentice could be leaving school while another could have several years of work experience behind them. This could be the mixture of people on your course!
Thinking about changing careers? Our guide to apprenticeships for career changers explains how adults can retrain, learn and earn through an apprenticeship.
So, what’s the catch with degree apprenticeships?
There isn’t one hidden catch. Instead, there are a few trade-offs to think about:
- You can earn while you learn, but you’ll need to balance work and study.
- You won’t pay university tuition fees yourself, but you may miss parts of traditional student life.
- You’ll gain work experience early, but you’ll be choosing a career direction sooner with less opportunity to explore what you enjoy first.
- Opportunities are growing, but popular programmes are still very competitive.
The real question isn’t whether apprenticeships are better than university. It’s whether the apprenticeship route works for you.
Final thoughts
Degree apprenticeships can be a great option if you enjoy learning by doing, feel ready for the workplace and already have an idea of the career you want to pursue.
If you’d rather spend more time exploring your subject, considering different career paths and experiencing traditional university life, full-time study may suit you better.
Ready to explore your options? Search the latest apprenticeship opportunities on Early Talent Academy and find a role that could help you start your career.
Register to learn more about our upcoming apprenticeship opportunities. Your future is waiting – are you ready?
