Degree Apprenticeships at Salford - what you need to know

The University is known for industry collaboration and has fantastic links with partners across the region teaming up to offer unrivalled apprenticeship schemes. The portfolio at Salford is growing, with apprenticeship programmes available in a range of subject areas from construction, engineering, health to business.

Where to start when finding the right apprenticeship programme can be a minefield.  In celebration of National Apprentice Week 2021, we sat down with Michelle Wilson, Degree Apprenticeship Operations Manager at The University of Salford to find out the essentials.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

We offer apprenticeship courses in a variety of subjects at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.  Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, you need to be in paid employment with an employer who supports the scheme and you need to meet the entry requirements for the course you are interested in.

You can find a list of programmes that we offer a degree apprenticeship in on our website.

Why apply for an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a great pathway to earn whilst you learn without having the pressure of funding the course fees. The scheme is available as a Foundation Degree, Bachelors, Masters in addition to other routes.

Our programmes and the qualifications you gain are developed in collaboration with employers with the goal of ensuring you gain real life experience of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours essential for your chosen career.

Why come to Salford?

I am proud to say that we have gained a reputation with industry partners for the excellent apprenticeship programmes that we offer, and we are excited that the portfolio is constantly growing.

For 125 years we have pioneered exceptional industry partnerships, it is what we are known for and what we pride ourselves on.  We are the fastest growing university in the North West and the 5th fastest in the UK.  We are investing in our main campus and have started work on new buildings that will provide our students with the latest facilities and a leading learning environment using the latest technology.

We are committed to being fit for the future and having students that are industry ready and ready with the skills for the future.  This year (2021) we have announced a £100 million investment in science and innovation.  Salford Business School has our Bloomberg Trading Suite for those interested in practicing their analytical and financial decision-making skills and  the school of Health and Society has state of-the-art facilities that include a clinical gait analysis lab, a human performance lab, podiatry clinic, prosthetics & orthotics lab, simulation suites and sports injury clinics.

We offer great support to our students and every point of their journey with us, this can be from  balancing student life to disability support, health and wellbeing, subject support, developing IT skills, to practical support for booking a PC or a study room, the list goes on and on.

What subjects offer Apprenticeship Programmes?

We currently cover a wide range of disciplines which we will continue to expand as the government approve new apprenticeships standards. Our most popular apprenticeships are Nursing and Construction. We do have new offerings and are seeing a significant increase in numbers across our Business School, particularly the MBA Senior Leaders apprenticeship. 

When and how do I apply?

The process for applying to an apprenticeship is slightly different to traditional programmes. The main difference is that your employer will send you an ‘invitation to make an application,’ this is sent to the employee they are supporting to apply for an apprenticeship. Once the invitation email is received by the apprentice, the application process is the same. All apprenticeships students follow the same academic calendar as traditional students. 

What to expect when on a Degree Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships can take anything between 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level. We offer different pathways with our apprenticeship programmes offered full-time and part-time.

What is the feedback from current and graduating apprentices?

We have, and continue to receive, positive feedback from our students.  You can read case studies on our website, I will let the student feedback speak for itself.

Paul Smith studying Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate

‘It’s a very rewarding experience, and you learn so much from spending the majority of time in practice. It is tough in terms of time management, but it is manageable. You do have to be organised though! The teaching team at the University of Salford and my team of Practice Assessors and Supervisors at Salford Royal have gone out of their way to ensure I get the most out of my learning experience. Both have been fantastic.’

Matt Brown studying BSc (Hons) Property and Real Estate

“The degree apprenticeship allows you to learn and complete your degree simultaneously with the development of the practical skills that are crucial in the real working world. Not only this, but knowledge gained from the degree can be directly implemented into your role at your place of work helping you develop quickly and reducing the displacement of knowledge and skills generally associated with the traditional ‘degree first job-after’ approach.’

To find out more, email the team at apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk or give us a call on 0161 295 3063.