Apprenticeships vs. university: finding the right pathway for your future 

At NCFE, we’re gearing up to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by bringing you the latest information and statistics to guide your decision on whether studying an apprenticeship is right for you.  

An apprenticeship is an exciting pathway which provides hands-on training, where the apprentice gets to learn on the job while working towards a qualification. This leads to the development of valuable skills, as well as industry experience in your chosen field. After completion of the apprenticeship and qualification, the employment provider can choose to hire the apprentice in a permanent position.  

 To help you in your decision, this article will explore how apprenticeships compare to undergraduate degrees in terms of experiences, opportunities, and outcomes. 

Levels of satisfaction 

The Department for Education’s Apprenticeship Achievements publication of 2024 shows that 84% of apprentices were satisfied with their experience upon completion. 

What’s more, 36% of apprentices believe they would not be working in their current industry if it hadn’t been for the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship. This indicates that a large proportion of apprentices see the opportunity as key to entering an industry.  

The three main reasons stated by apprentices for undertaking the apprenticeships were to gain experience at the same time as a qualification (74%), to progress in a career (51%), and to get hands-on experience (46%). It is important to remember that statistics on apprenticeships can include both respondents who are young apprentices, generally described as people under the age of 19 starting out in their careers, and established professionals taking on qualifications to progress in an existing career.  

The satisfaction rate for university graduates was similar, with only 13% of respondents reporting that their experience was worse than expected. 22% reported that their experience was better than expected, with other respondents stating it was mixed or matched expectations.  

39% of graduates believed their course was good value for money, however this data includes Scottish students who typically have lower fees. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland responded with 36%, 40% and 41% satisfaction respectively.  

The rate of satisfaction with regards to undergraduate degrees’ value for money has been generally dropping since records began in 2013, when all regions’ response to this question was over 40%, but has recovered from a significant dip in 2021, which was caused by restrictions on face-to-face time due to pandemic restrictions.  

These statistics deal with experience and perception – but what do the employability statistics say?  

Employability 

93% of people who completed an apprenticeship in 2020/21 sustained employment. In contrast, only 87.7% of all working-age graduates are currently employed, although it’s important to state that this is still a much higher figure when compared to non-graduates, of which 69.7% are employed. 67% of working-age graduates are in roles described as “high-skilled” which is much higher than the figure for non-graduates, currently sitting at 23.7%.  

Next, let’s explore what the numbers say about whether these jobs translate to higher salary possibilities. 

Salaries and costs

Salaries for people who achieved a Level 4 apprenticeship in the academic year 2016-17 averaged out, five years on, to £33 800 per year. Take a look at the table below, published in the Apprenticeship Achievements 2024 document, to see details on post-apprenticeship salary progression.

The 2023 Labour Force Survey found that under-30s with an undergraduate degree earned an average of £31,500 per year, however they may have had to take on part-time work during study to meet their living costs and accommodation.  

The average weekly cost of university for a three-year undergraduate degree, when only accounting for tuition fees, is £178 based on the rate of tuition in 2024, which was set at £9,250 per year.  

Graduates will also have student loans to repay. Student loans are subtracted from a graduate’s wage on a monthly basis, and the rate of monthly repayment depends on salary. 

When it comes to the cost of qualifications, apprenticeships are a good way of avoiding university-style student loans. According to Indeed, apprentices are paid at an average weekly rate of £260, although this figure should be taken with caution. An apprentice's salary is typically set at the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage, depending on the apprentice’s age and the level of apprenticeship they are undertaking. However, some apprenticeships are paid at a higher rate, depending on the industry, size, and type of employer.  

The Department for Education’s Apprenticeships in England by Industry publication of 2024 states that 86,060 enterprises in England had an apprenticeship start in 2021/22 across 17 different sectors. This means it’s possible for anyone considering an apprenticeship to start browsing vacancies online and see what’s out there! 

Deciding how to begin or progress in your career is an important step towards achieving your goals, which is why it’s always beneficial to consider your long-term plans, preferred sector and career, as well as the financial aspects of any educational decision.  

To find out more about apprenticeships, head over to our National Apprenticeship Week page, where you can learn about this year’s theme, “Skills for Life”.