Whether you're at school and looking to start a foundation apprenticeship, ready for a modern apprenticeship, or want to pursue further education with a graduate apprenticeship, there's an option to suit your needs and goals
Who are apprenticeships in Scotland for?
Apprenticeships in Scotland are designed for people at different stages of life and career. They are suitable for:
- school pupils exploring future options
- school leavers looking to enter the workforce
- adults seeking to retrain or upskill
- those who prefer practical, work-based learning to full-time classroom study.
With no upper age limit on modern or graduate apprenticeships, they are also an accessible route for career changers and adult learners.Types of apprenticeships in Scotland
What type of apprenticeship can I do in Scotland?
Apprenticeships offer individuals the chance to earn a nationally recognised qualification while gaining practical experience through on-the-job training:
- Foundation apprenticeships - typically take two years and equip secondary school pupils with workplace experience as they complete their National 5s and Highers.
- Modern apprenticeships - usually last between one and four years and are aimed at individuals aged 16 and older.
- Graduate apprenticeships - can take between three and six years to complete and allow apprentices to pursue studies up to the Masters level.
See the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) for a comparison of Scottish apprenticeship qualifications with other Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).
View all available Scottish apprenticeship subjects at APPRENTICESHIPS.SCOT - Search apprenticeship types.
Foundation apprenticeships
Aimed at those still at school, Scottish foundation apprenticeships (FAs) allow you to earn a qualification alongside your National 5s and Highers (equivalent to GCSEs and AS-levels). This means you'll graduate with a well-rounded skillset.
Typically starting in S5, FAs span two years. During this time, students take time out of the classroom to gain workplace experience and progress towards an SCQF-recognised qualification. They can lead directly into:
- employment
- further education at college
- modern apprenticeships
- university study.
Subject areas
FAs are offered in the following three subjects at SCQF Levels 4/5:
- automotive
- construction
- hospitality.
They are also available in 12 subjects at SCQF Level 6:
- accountancy
- business skills
- civil engineering
- creative and digital media
- engineering
- financial services
- food and drink technologies
- hardware and system support
- scientific technologies
- social services - children and young people
- social services and healthcare
- software development.
Entry requirements
To start an FA, you'll need to be in the fifth or sixth year of secondary school and have an interest in the relevant sector. You should also possess good English and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Upon completing an FA, students are well-positioned to advance to the next stage of their career. This could involve enrolling in an MA, entering the workforce directly, or pursuing further education.
Several Scottish universities, including Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Glasgow, currently accept FAs as an entry requirement for specific courses.
FAs are usually applied for through your secondary school. Applications typically open during S4 or early S5, depending on your local authority and school timetable. Your school will provide guidance on:
- available subjects
- eligibility
- deadlines.
Foundation apprenticeship salary
Foundation apprenticeships in Scotland are unpaid. However, they can lead to other career paths, such as:
- direct employment
- modern apprenticeships
- graduate level apprenticeships
- college or university.
Modern apprenticeships
According to Skills Development Scotland's (SDS) Modern Apprenticeship Statistics 2024/25, 25,507 modern apprenticeships (MAs) were started by the end of September 2025.
These apprenticeships have proven to be a credible alternative to university, offering candidates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while earning a wage and pursuing an industry-relevant qualification. In fact, 96% MA graduates would recommend an apprenticeship to other people.
MAs often result in permanent roles with employers or progression into higher-level apprenticeships.
Subject areas
There are over one hundred MAs available across a range of sectors, including:
- accounting
- agriculture
- automotive
- business administration
- construction
- digital marketing
- finance
- healthcare
- IT
- retail.
To discover the range of MA subjects currently available, visit APPRENTICESHIPS.SCOT - Modern apprenticeships.
Entry requirements
You are eligible to start an MA once you have reached the Scottish statutory minimum school leaving age, which for most is 16.
The specific qualifications needed will vary depending on your employer and apprenticeship. However, most require three or more National 4s. If you have additional qualifications or skills in a specialised field, you may be able to begin at a higher level.
MAs are advertised all year round, with many employers recruiting on a rolling basis. However, vacancy numbers often increase between spring and early autumn, when school and college leavers enter the job market.
Modern apprenticeship salary
As an MA candidate, you will be paid for your work. The apprentice wage applies to individuals under 19 and/or in their first year of an MA, and is:
- £7.55 per hour if you're under 18, and/or in the first year of your MA.
- £10 per hour as you advance into your second year if you're aged 19 or 20, or the National Living Wage (NLW) of £12.21 if you're 21 and over.
Read more about pay for apprentices at GOV.UK - National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates.
Many of Scotland's largest employers offer MAs, such as:
Graduate apprenticeships
Graduate apprenticeships (GAs) offer work-based learning and study up to Masters level. GAs support progression into:
- long-term employment within the same organization
- professional and senior roles
- postgraduate study.
Employers and higher education institutions collaborate to shape GAs around the needs of the industry. This ensures that everything you learn and practice while becoming qualified is directly relevant to boosting your career prospects.
Subject areas
There are 11 types of GA in a variety of subjects, including:
- accounting
- business management (including financial services)
- civil engineering
- construction and the built environment
- cyber security
- data science
- early learning and childhood
- engineering: design and manufacture
- engineering: instrumentation, measurement and control
- IT: management for business
- IT: software development.
Read more about these at APPRENTICESHIPS.SCOT - Graduate apprenticeships.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for a GA, you must:
- be a resident of Scotland
- be working on a premises in Scotland
- have the legal right to live and work in Scotland
- be over the age of 16.
However, some workplaces may have a minimum age requirement of 18 due to health and safety regulations.
There is no upper age limit for enrolling in a GA, making these programmes suitable for adult apprentices as well.
If you already have a degree or are currently employed, you are still eligible for a GA. Consult with your employer to explore the opportunities available to you.
GAs may follow fixed recruitment cycles linked to academic years, but many opportunities are also available year-round. Some graduate apprenticeships are offered to existing employees, while others are open to external applicants.
Graduate apprenticeship salary
The apprentice wage you get will be paid for by your employer, and legally this must be above the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group - see GOV.UK - NMW rates.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) recommends that GA salaries are kept in line with the National Living Wage (NLW), which is currently £11.44 for those aged 18 and over.
Your learning costs will be funded by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for the full duration of your course at no cost to the employer. This means that you'll manage your tuition fees directly with SAAS and your learning provider, with no employer involvement required.
How do I apply for a Scottish apprenticeship?
Applications for modern and graduate apprenticeships are made directly to employers. Vacancies are advertised on national platforms such as:
For foundation apprenticeships, the process is coordinated by schools in partnership with colleges and employers, meaning students usually do not apply directly to employers.
For more details, see how to apply for an apprenticeship.
You are allowed to apply for apprenticeships in Scotland even if you currently live in another part of the UK. Employers can consider applications from anywhere in the UK, and there is no restriction on submitting an application based on where you live at the time of applying.
While you can apply from outside Scotland, most Scottish apprenticeships require you to live and work in Scotland once the apprenticeship begins.
Find out more
- Discover our essential guide to apprenticeships.
- Explore whether you should go to university or do an apprenticeship.
- Read SDS's become an apprentice advice.