Mid-career apprenticeships

Whatever stage of your career, develop key industry knowledge and competencies while improving your skills and career prospects.

What are mid-career apprenticeships?

UCL apprenticeships combine work with funded part-time study, allowing you to gain the practical work experience and valuable skills, and earn a nationally recognised qualification to be proficient in your role. 

How are they structured? 

All apprenticeships comprise of:

i. A period of training of at least twelve months, with an end-point assessment

The duration of the programme will depend on factors such as the level of the programme, the type of standard and your ability and previous experience. Throughout the apprenticeship, there will be additional requirements, such as building a portfolio of evidence to meet the standard’s criteria and passing an end-point assessment for successful completion. 

ii. 80% on-the-job training

You’ll spend around 80% of your time learning on-the-job during your normal working hours. Tasks and projects you do at work count towards your apprenticeship.

iii. 20% off-the-job training

Approximately 20% of your working week (a minimum of 6 hours per week on average) takes place at a college, university, in online learning, or at a specialist training provider to enable you to learn new skills, knowledge and behaviours that you can then apply to the apprenticeship that you are working towards and your role. This may be a block release or one day a week or 2 half days as agreed with the training provider and your line manager.  

Type and levels

Our higher and degree apprenticeship programmes are available at levels 2 to 7, from intermediate to master’s degree levels, across the professional areas and technical Career Pathways.

Eligibility

Besides the requirements outlined in the UCL specification for the mid-career apprenticeship programme, you must meet entry criteria including:

• Must live and work in England

• Be at least 16 years old (no upper age limit) 

• Are not in full-time education

• A UK or EEA resident for three years before the start of the apprenticeship 

• Have the qualifications required to start the apprenticeship training identified by the Training Provider

• Have Maths and English at Level 2 (i.e. GCSE grade A* - C / 9 – 4 or equivalent)

• Are a permanent staff and have successfully passed your probationary period by the start date of the apprenticeship

• Have the approval and commitment from your line-manager.

The apprenticeship can be higher or lower to a qualification you already hold, providing it will allow you to gain substantive new skills and you can evidence that the training is materially different from any prior qualification or a previous apprenticeship you hold.

Funding your apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship Levy covers the costs of the training for an apprenticeship supporting your professional development, meaning that apprenticeships can be offered at little or no direct cost to you or your department/area.

What are the commitments?

You will need to be:

• In a role which supports the apprenticeship so you can put into practice what you are learning and balance this with day-to-day demands. The Training Provider will work with OD and your line-manager to agree on suitable opportunities for on-the-job training.
• Be given a minimum of 6 hours per week (average) work time for the off-the-job training and learning delivered by the Training Provider. work time for the off-the-job training and learning delivered by the Training Provider.
• Committed to attending and completing all elements of your apprenticeship programme.
• Able to meet with the Training Provider at least every 8-12 weeks and attend regular review meetings. This is so we can monitor, assess and support your progress.
• Able to attend and participate in the network meetings and any enrichment activities offered to apprentices.

What types of programmes are available?

As part of our apprenticeship growth strategy, we will be rolling out apprenticeship programmes in a range of professional and technical areas with more being developed all the time. Updates will be provided to relevant Communities of Practice and through UCL news channels. 

Benefits of our apprenticeships

An apprenticeship at UCL will give you:

• A clear professional pathway (across technical, professional and leadership and management roles).
• Structured training that will allow you to earn while you learn and lead to nationally recognised qualifications, without the student debt.
• The opportunity to enhance your career prospects by attaining valuable hard and soft skills for future employment. You’ll learn the latest techniques and technologies which will enable you to stay ahead in an ever-changing world of work.
• A springboard towards promotions and higher-level opportunities. Our apprenticeship programmes are designed to develop the leaders and managers of the future.
• The opportunity to build your professional network and connections.
• Higher future earning potential. (National Careers Service, people with an advanced-level apprenticeship earn over £100,000 more over their career).
• An apprentice travel card and other student discounts.
• And more!

How will you be supported?

Here are some examples of ongoing support and personal guidance you can expect, to help you to succeed in your apprenticeship:

• Expectations, training and work plans - set out in your induction and documented as part of the Apprenticeship Agreement and Commitment Statement.
• Your manager will aid your development to enable you to complete challenging work-related projects and tasks and to take time out to learn and study.
• A departmental mentor and/or buddy (another or former apprentice) may be assigned to you. You’ll also receive peer support through your apprenticeship programme network.
• Besides your HRBP (HR Business Partner) for employment matters, OD will give additional offer information, advice and guidance on apprenticeships and future career pathways.
• Through the training provider, you will get a development coach and be provided with ongoing pastoral care.