Apprenticeships for students
An apprenticeship offers an alternative route to university, combining academic study with paid employment. You'll earn a salary, gain valuable workplace experience and graduate with a recognised university qualification, all without paying tuition fees.
At the University of Salford, our apprenticeship programmes are designed in partnership with employers to help you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a successful career.
Whether you're starting your career or looking to progress in your current role, an apprenticeship allows you to build your experience while achieving a higher education qualification.
If you're an employer looking to support a staff member through an apprenticeship, please see our information for businesses.
Why choose an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships combine work with study. You will study part-time as an apprentice and spend the rest of your time in the workplace, applying theory and knowledge from the classroom directly to your place of work on an ongoing basis.
As an apprentice, you'll:
- Earn a salary while you study
- Gain valuable on-the-job experience
- Achieve a recognised university qualification
- Learn from experienced academics and industry professionals
- Develop the skills employers are looking for
- Graduate without tuition fee debt*
- Build your career while continuing to work
*Because apprenticeship training is funded by your employer and the Government, you won't pay tuition fees for your course.
Find out more about apprenticeships in the video below, where we answer the most frequently asked questions.
What can I study?
We offer undergraduate and postgraduate apprenticeships across a wide range of subject areas, helping you develop specialist skills in sectors with strong employment opportunities.
Explore our apprenticeship courses to find the programme that's right for you.
Our programmes
Construction and Engineering
- Construction Site Supervisor | CertHE Construction Project Management
- Construction Quantity Surveying Technician | CertHE Quantity Surveying
- Construction Quantity Surveyor | BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
- Chartered Surveyor | BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
- Chartered Surveyor | BSc (Hons) Building Surveying
- Chartered Surveyor | BSc (Hons) Real Estate (Development and Management)
- Construction Project Management | BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management
- Civil Engineer | BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Health and Society
- Nursing Associate | FdSc Nursing Associate
- Registered Nurse | BSc (Hons) Nursing / RN Adult
- Physiotherapist | BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
- Podiatrist | BSc (Hons) Podiatry
- Occupational Therapy | BSc Occupational Therapist
- Advanced Clinical Practitioner | MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner
- Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) | PgDip SCPHN - Health Visiting
- Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) | PgDip SCPHN - School Nursing
- Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (CNSP)| PgDip CNSP - General Practice Nurse
- Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (CNSP) | PgDip CNSP - Adult Social Care
- Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (CNSP) | PgDip CNSP - District Nursing
- Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (CNSP) | PgDip CNSP - Learning Disability Nursing
- Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (CNSP) | PgDip CNSP - Children's Community Nursing
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Application deadlines
Please be aware of the application deadlines below for each of our intakes. If an application hasn’t been received by this date, consideration will be given for the next available intake. Please be advised this is a deadline for a full application to be made. A request for services form will have to be completed prior to the application form being shared.
These dates allow us sufficient time to draw up and issue the employer evidence pack (contract etc.). Please also be aware that we will need to receive the completed employer evidence pack back prior to the apprentice starting the programme.
- January 2027 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 27 November 2026
- March 2027 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 20 March 2027
- April 2027 Intake - The application deadline is Friday 19 March 2027
- September 2027 Intake – The application deadline is Friday 31 July 2027
Learn more at our next Open Day
Whether you know which apprenticeship is right for you or you're still exploring your options, at an Open Day, you'll talk to Programme Leaders, tour our facilities and attend one-to-one sessions with our team who will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
Apprentice stories
Humaira is studying Quantity Surveying, Leah is studying Construction Project Management and Jacki is studying Podiatry. They are also getting on-the-job experience while they study at Mace, Lendlease and Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust.
- Jake Wyatt - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
- Georgina Ronksley - BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management
- Yomi Aminu - FdSc Nursing Associate
Award-winning apprenticeship provision
At the University of Salford, we're proud to have received the Apprenticeship Award at the Educate North Awards 2026, recognising our commitment to delivering career-focused education that makes a real impact across our region and beyond.
This achievement reflects the strength of our employer partnerships, the dedication of our colleagues, and the success of our apprentices as they develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in their industries.
Our Ofsted rating
In 2024, Ofsted inspected our apprenticeship provision and has confirmed our grading outcome as Good. This outcome is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and dedication of colleagues and employers in supporting our apprentices to develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours, whilst having the best apprenticeship experience possible.
Amongst the findings, our strengths include:
- Highly qualified and experienced staff
- Individual Learning Model to plan personalised curriculums
- High-quality resources
- Collaborative working with employers.
How to apply
If you're not currently employed
To apply for an apprenticeship, you must first be employed with a company willing to enrol you on the apprenticeship programme. The government national apprenticeship website has further information on this. The website also advertises vacancies for apprentices.
Unfortunately, the University does not hold details of employer vacancies.
If you're already employed
Speak with the apprentice lead in your organisation in the first instance as they will provide the funding and will make initial contact with the Apprenticeship Services Unit. Your employer will need to confirm that they'll fund and support your enrolment with the University.
If you are currently in employment with a company that is willing to support you through an apprenticeship, then they will need to contact us in the first instance to express their interest in the apprenticeship programme and this will trigger the application process.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the contact us form
Entry requirements
The Government have recently changed the rules around Maths and English requirements at Level 2. Although all of our programmes require Maths and English at Level 2 on entry, we advise you to get in touch with us at apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk in the first instance, should you not hold these qualifications.
Get in touch
To find out more about apprenticeships at Salford, contact our Apprenticeship Services Unit by emailing apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk or filling out the contact us form.
For further information, please see our guidance on safeguarding apprentices and our British Values Statement:
FAQs
Who pays my tuition fees?
Apprenticeships are funded by your employer and the government, so as an apprentice you do not need to pay tuition fees for your course. Due to the nature of apprenticeships and how they are funded, you will not be eligible for student finance. This includes tuition fee loans and maintenance loans.
Where can I find an apprenticeship?
Vacancies for apprenticeship roles are listed on Government’s apprenticeship website. As well as searching here, we also recommend checking job boards and company websites for vacancies. Following a recruitment process, which includes interviews, the employer will decide who they want for the position.
Am I eligible for an apprenticeship?
Just like our other students, you will need to meet the entry requirements for the course you are studying. You can find entry requirements for each apprenticeship on our course pages.
You will also need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be 16 years or older
- You must have the right to work in England
- You must have lived in the UK, EEA or have appropriate immigration status for at least 3 years prior to starting the apprenticeship
- Be employed throughout the apprenticeship
What courses can I study on an apprenticeship?
We currently cover a wide range of disciplines. Scroll up to see our current list of courses. Our offer will grow as the government approves new apprenticeship standards. Find out more on the Skills England website.
How much time will I spend at work and university?
You will spend 80% of your time in your workplace and 20% of your time at university. We have a range of delivery modes available for courses, including day-release, block delivery and online learning. The mode of study will depend on the programme you choose.
How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?
Apprenticeships will usually take between one and five years to complete. You will also need to undertake an Apprenticeship Assessment, which must be completed up to 12 months after you’ve graduated.
Will I receive a wage?
Yes, you will receive a wage, holiday pay, pension and any other benefits that your employer provides. You’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
You must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for your age if you’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed your first year.
What about if I am made redundant from my role with my employer or I choose to leave my employment?
If your circumstances change (redundancy, loss of employer, etc.), meaning your apprenticeship can no longer be funded, you may wish to consider transferring from the apprenticeship programme to the corresponding traditional programme at the university to complete your studies. If you choose to go down this route, you have to be mindful of several things.
- If you are made redundant, the university will support you to continue on your apprenticeship for 12 weeks and will also support you where possible to find a new employer so that you may continue studying on the degree apprenticeship programme. If you have not secured employment in the 12 weeks, the government regulations will not allow you to continue your apprenticeship with the University of Salford.
- If you choose to leave your employer for reasons other than redundancy and do not have another qualifying employer for the apprenticeship, you must withdraw immediately. To do this, you first need to contact your Degree Apprenticeship Administrator for your school (contact details below) to inform them of your change in circumstances:
- Science, Engineering and Environment: askus@salford.ac.uk
- Salford Business School: j.m.kelly@salford.ac.uk
- School of Health and Society: j.k.sherlock@salford.ac.uk
Please bear in mind that transferring to a traditional programme at the university is not an automated process, and a significant amount of manual processing is required. We do understand that in certain circumstances (redundancy) the individual apprentice has not chosen to end their apprenticeship and so we will do everything we can to support you in your transfer. Please note that for anyone looking to withdraw from your apprenticeship for any other reason, you have signed a commitment statement, and your employer signed a contract with us at the beginning of the programme, which confirms your intention to complete the apprenticeship. Choosing to withdraw is not a decision to be taken lightly. We strongly advise you to speak to your employer, link tutor or a member of the apprenticeship team before making any decisions about leaving your employment.
