SBT2269 Careermag for Parents Issue 5 v2 FINAL | Page 20

APPRENTICESHIPS VS UNIVERSITY
Apprenticeships
vs
University
Which is right for your child – university or apprenticeship?
They are very different routes, so here are some essential things to think about.
Cost
University
Fees at UK institutions are £9,250 for
full-time study and £4,625 for part-time
study, and on top of that, there’s food,
accommodation, equipment and having
a nice time to pay for. You can get loans to
cover a lot of this, but they contribute to an
average debt for graduates of over £35,000.
Apprenticeships
Apprentices are paid a minimum of £4.15
per hour. Some earn more than this – it
varies according to the employer. An
Apprenticeship doesn’t have any tuition
fees as the Government and the employer
covers this. However, you may have some
costs: transport to work, for example, or rent
and bills if you relocate for your job (or if you
contribute at home).
Qualifications
University
A university degree is valued by many
employers all over the world, and for some
careers – like doctors – it’s pretty much
essential. The value of uni isn’t just in the
high-level subject knowledge you gain
either: you learn how to think critically, how
to communicate well, how to research and
how to present arguments. They’re all pretty
handy skills to have in life, and at work.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are very employer-focused
which helps in preparing you for a specific
career, so they offer relevant, practical
training and lots of workplace experience.
At higher levels you get the same in-depth
subject knowledge as university students,
particularly on Degree Apprenticeships; the
clue’s in the name.
Work
University
A good degree programme will equip you
with subject knowhow, but should also
give you what employers call transferable
skills: writing well, analysing problems and
working independently. They make you an
appealing employee, whatever your degree
was in.
Apprenticeships
Apprentices train to be able to do the job
and also gain a qualification. They start
working on the specific skills they need for
their role right away, alongside learning
about work. It’s a much more practical,
hands-on approach to developing skills for
the workplace.
20 | Issue 5 www.careermap.co.uk