SBT2269 Careermag for Parents Issue 5 v2 FINAL | Page 21

APPRENTICESHIPS VS UNIVERSITY
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
University study is a chance to dig deep into a subject you love and immerse yourself in student life for a
few years. It’s an opportunity to explore, experiment, challenge yourself and perhaps discover a direction or
passion that you never expected in an environment where that sort of thing is actively encouraged. That
might just mean doing weird stuff with your hair for a while, or it might mean totally altering the course of
your professional and personal life.
An Apprenticeship gives you the chance to take your first steps out of school/college and into the working
world with a solid foundation beneath you. It’s an opportunity to learn about a particular job, sure –
whether that’s plastering, accountancy, healthcare, teaching or hairdressing – and earn some money, but
you never know what you might learn about yourself.
You might discover skills and abilities you never expected, meet new people and expand your horizons, and
set out on a path that surprises you.
Whatever you decide, remember that there is no right or wrong path, it’s all about doing what is best for you.
Search careermap.co.uk for opportunities.
Learning and
assessment
University
Students have lectures, seminars,
workshops, lab sessions and so on
(depending on their course), but they’re
also expected to do a lot of independent
studying. An assessment could be by
coursework, dissertation or exam – or some
combination of the three – and there will
often be other assignments throughout the
course. Plus, many universities will help you
study abroad for a year if you fancy it.
Apprenticeships
Apprentices are assessed on their skills,
knowledge and behaviours, which are
evaluated at the end of their apprenticeship
by taking an end-point assessment (EPA).
Getting a place
University
Students apply through UCAS and submit
an application form and personal statement.
They may be interviewed, asked to sit
additional tests or (for performance courses)
audition. Usually, universities look for
qualifications including A-Levels, BTECs, IB
or Scottish Highers, so they look at students’
predicted grades for their exams as part of
the application process.
Apprenticeships
Similar to university, candidates submit an
application form or a CV listing their work
experience and relevant skills. There’s more
likely to be an interview. Depending on the
level of Apprenticeship they’re applying
for, they may need a Traineeship, GCSEs,
A-Levels or other relevant qualifications/
experience.
Life: University vs
Apprenticeships
Differences
University
Students may live on campus, in halls of
residence, or in private accommodation
near their university. Time in lectures etc.
varies between courses – anything from a
few hours a week to more than 40. Outside
of studying, institutions offer a range of
social and sporting clubs and the ‘student
life’ really is a big part of the experience, in
whatever form it takes.
Apprenticeships
Apprentices are working, which means
regular work hours and taking responsibility
for their schedule. They also study alongside
their day job, often at night. Everything
else – socialising with colleagues, hobbies,
travel – is up to them, just as it is for anyone
else at work. The experience varies with the
employer – a company might have a single
apprentice or a team of 50.
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