Prospects.ac.uk

Should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?

AuthorDaniel Higginbotham, senior editor
Posted on

Deciding what to do when you leave school or college isn't easy. Do you go to university and get a degree, or choose an apprenticeship and earn while you learn? Explore which route would be best for you

University vs apprenticeship

  • Gain a recognised academic qualification or engage in work-based learning.
  • Save money/work/get a loan while at university, or earn a wage as an apprentice.
  • Keep your options open or choose a specific career path.
  • Embrace university life as a full-time student or balance your work/study.

If you're still unsure, remember that you're choosing between the two experiences, not whether to gain a degree. You'll still be able to achieve a university qualification with a degree apprenticeship.

You'll also find that college courses are available if you pursue an apprenticeship at the FE (further education) level.

Which option is most popular?

It's true to say that higher education (HE) remains the most popular option.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), approximately 2.9 million students attended UK universities in the 2023/24 academic year.

However, attitudes towards apprenticeships have evolved, and they're now recognised as a viable alternative to university. This is reflected in the number of people deciding on this route to employment.

The latest government apprenticeship and trainee figures (November 2025) show that 60,350 apprentices started degree apprenticeships to Bachelors (Level 6) and Masters (Level 7) standards in England in 2024/25 (up to July 2025). This represents a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

What are the main advantages of each route?

The benefits of university over apprenticeships

  • choose from thousands of degrees
  • a more open-ended career in terms of future opportunities
  • gain independence by living away from home
  • acquire a range of soft skills transferable to any job role
  • high earning potential for many graduate roles
  • develop specialist knowledge for careers in academia
  • enjoy the full social experience of university
  • have access to cutting-edge research facilities
  • receive expert career guidance and support.

The benefits of apprenticeships over university

  • enter the world of work and gain valuable on-the-job training
  • earn a salary as you study for your qualification
  • no tuition fees to pay or student debt
  • make industry contacts from the first day
  • a direct entry into a specific career
  • fast-track your career with work-based learning.

Which would be the best fit for my lifestyle?

University culture

Deciding to go to university opens up a range of options, including:

Life as an apprentice

You'll need to be disciplined and well-organised to balance your work and study, including:

  • being prepared to work during the day and study at night and on weekends
  • prioritising work and managing deadlines
  • attending university for lectures and seminars one day a week
  • going into an office each day or working from home
  • socialising with your team and co-workers
  • taking on board feedback from your mentors.

What subjects are on offer?

If you choose to study at university, you can pick from a range of courses. This can be useful if you're unsure what to do after graduation, as you can opt for a broader subject and keep your options open.

You might also be surprised at the scope of apprenticeships on offer. They are no longer dominated by manual trades such as construction and engineering - instead, they span a range of industries, including:

What will I learn?

The course and apprenticeship content depend on the subject you choose to study or train in. Each degree and apprenticeship will be different, so do some research to discover what each involves.

When comparing university courses and apprenticeships, ensure the content and resulting qualifications meet your career needs.

Although vocational degrees are rising, university study primarily focuses on education and research.

Following a theory-based approach, you'll learn about your subject through lectures and seminars, as well as workshops, to graduate with a Bachelors degree. You'll then head out into the world of work to test your knowledge and put into practice what you've learned.

Apprenticeships appeal to those seeking alternatives to university, as they offer a more practical approach to learning and training. You'll focus on training for a specific career and learn your trade by doing the job. You'll gain hands-on experience and have the opportunity to apply your skills immediately.

Upon completion, you may get to achieve an NVQ, HNC or HND, while higher apprenticeships can lead to a foundation degree and degree apprenticeships can result in a full honours degree.

What job opportunities are available?

A university education allows you to target a broader range of careers than you can through an apprenticeship, but both will stand you in good stead when getting a job.

Apprenticeships are restrictive because the training and skills you gain are specific to a particular industry or role. An apprenticeship will also likely tie you to the employer for a specified number of years. However, if you're confident in your career choice, you'll be well-equipped to take advantage of any opportunities to progress.

Remember that you'll need a degree for certain professions in healthcare, business and science, including taking up roles as:

Other sectors benefit from the practical, on-the-job training that higher and degree apprenticeships provide, including:

Browse our job profiles to discover whether you'll need to consider university or an apprenticeship for your chosen career.

How much will it cost?

Apprenticeships undoubtedly win this round. If you're under 25, the government and your employer will fund your training up to Level 6 (Bachelors degree), so you don't have to pay a penny.

From January 2026, funding for Level 7 (Masters) apprenticeships is restricted to those under 22 or under 25 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

On the other hand, studying for an undergraduate degree will cost you up to £9,535 per year (2025/26) in tuition fees, plus additional living expenses. You'll undoubtedly leave university with student debt; however, you won't start your repayments until you earn a minimum of £25,000 a year.

Read more about how the system works at MoneySavingExpert - Student Loans Decoded, and view the student living costs guide from Save the Student.

Explore student loans and finance.

What will I earn?

If you opt for university, you'll have to wait until graduation to earn a full-time wage.

According to High Fliers' report on The Graduate Market in 2025, the average graduate starting salary with one of the UK's leading employers is £35,000, an increase of £1,000 on the previous year and a rise of nearly 17% since 2021.

However, UK graduates can typically expect starting salaries to be lower than this. HESA's Graduate Outcomes 2022/23 findings showed that 18% of first-degree graduates in full-time paid employment earned between £30,000 and £32,999 per year, while over a third (37%) took home between £24,000 and £29,999. Just 8% reported salaries of £ 45,000 or more.

Independent employment researchers Incomes Data Research (IDR) found that starting salaries for degree apprentices increased by almost a third (31%) between 2018 and 2024. The findings from surveying 88 major UK employers showed how the gap between apprentice and graduate pay has narrowed in recent years.

As an apprentice, you'll earn while you learn and receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for apprentices. The rate is £7.55 for those under 19 (from April 2025). This rate also applies to those aged 19 or over in their first year of training.

In practice, you'll find that most employers choose to pay more than the minimum for apprentices studying a degree-level programme. While your wages can vary greatly depending on your chosen profession and the industry you work in, you can expect to earn over £20,000 per year. To give you an idea, government analysis (2024) has revealed that the median salary for a former Level 6 apprentice one year after completing their (three or four-year) programme was £34,620.

Discover the best-paying apprenticeship sectors in 2026.

When considering your long-term prospects, the Sutton Trust examined the earning potential of university graduates and apprentices. It found that apprentices can expect to earn thousands more in their lifetime than undergraduates from non-Russell Group universities.

How do I make the right decision?

It's a tough choice, and one option isn't necessarily better. Consider your current situation, including your:

  • qualifications
  • desired field of study
  • financial situation
  • future goals.

Also, think about your personality type. Are you an academic or a visual learner? Do you learn better through reading or hands-on experience? Research how you like to operate and choose the best option for you.

To help narrow it down, you can:

Find out more