Business Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships

Have you ever watched The Apprentice or Dragons’ Den and been inspired to pursue a career in business? Both programmes are fast-paced and packed with innovative ideas and excitement – just like business is!

You don’t even need A-Levels or a degree to get into business. There are loads of apprenticeships for school and college leavers, in areas like management, HR, and recruitment. So you’ll never go hungry.

Read our essential guide to business apprenticeships, and discover what apprenticeships are out there, how business apprenticeships work, and the benefits of starting a career in business.

• What are business apprenticeships?

• How much do business apprentices get paid?

• What apprenticeships are there in business?

• Business degree apprenticeships

• What are the benefits of a career in business?

What are business apprenticeships?

Business apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with studying. They are a priceless opportunity to gain experience and qualifications in the competitive world of business, without needing to take out any student loans. Oh - and - we almost forgot to mention - you’ll get paid.

More and more young people are choosing to do a business apprenticeship as an alternative to A-Levels or university so they can enjoy the perks of pursuing their careers faster. Like this business apprentice at IBM…

“I absolutely love the programme I am on at IBM. I get so much experience on the job and lots of external training to support me in the job. My role is really varied and different everyday which makes it really interesting and the fact I get a qualification at the end is a bonus.”(Junior Management Consulant & Business Apprentice at IBM)

How long is a business apprenticeship?

Business apprenticeships take 1-5 years to complete, depending on their level.

Intermediate apprenticeships, for example, are usually 12-18 months long. Degree apprenticeships, on the other hand, can last 3-5 years.

Degree apprenticeships in business are the perfect option if you want degree-level qualifications but aren’t thrilled by the idea of attending university. Keep scrolling to find out more about these nifty schemes…

How much do business apprentices get paid?

Business apprentices receive the same benefits as regular employees including a full salary, holidays, and other perks.

As a business apprentice, you’ll be taking home bucket loads of cash. However, the amount you’ll get paid will depend on your age and the type of apprenticeship you’re doing.

At the very least, your salary will be determined by the National Minimum Wage. But many employers pay much more than this. You'll likely find salary data on each of our business apprentice job listings.

Find a Business Apprenticeship →

What apprenticeships are there in business?

There are a variety of business apprenticeships available in the UK. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you may choose to do a level 2 up to level 7 apprenticeship.

Below is a selection of business apprenticeships and their respective levels:

Level 2 Business Apprenticeships

• Recruitment Resourcer

Level 3 Business Apprenticeships

• Learning and Development Practitioner

• Business Administrator

• HR Support

• Public Service Operational Delivery Driver

• Recruitment Consultant

• Team Leader / Supervisor

Level 4/5 Business Apprenticeships

• HR Consultant / Partner

• Junior Management Consultant

• Operations / Departmental Manager

• Policy Officer

• Regulatory Compliance Officer

• School Business Professional

Level 6/7 Business Degree Apprenticeships

• Chartered Manager

• Project Manager

• Senior Leader

• Operational Research Specialist

• Systems Thinking Practitioner

• Improvement Leader

Business Degree Apprenticeships

Did you know you can now get a business degree without paying any tuition fees? Business degree level apprenticeships operate very similarly to lower-level apprenticeships; except you work for an employer and attend university alongside your job.

If you do a level 6 business degree apprenticeship, you’ll finish your apprenticeship with a full Bachelor’s degree. If you take on a level 7 business degree apprenticeship, you’ll work towards a Master’s degree.

Are business degree apprenticeships full-time?

Business degree apprenticeships are full-time and allow you to develop business skills as well as gain a business degree. Once you’ve completed the scheme, you’ll have the same qualifications as a business graduate PLUS three to five years’ experience.

How are business degree apprenticeships funded?

Business degree apprenticeships have been developed through a collaboration between the government, industry-leading employers, and universities. All costs are covered by the government and your employer.

What qualifications do you need for a degree apprenticeship?

While entry requirements for degree apprenticeships vary, to qualify you’ll most likely need some form of higher level qualifications. This could be a previous apprenticeship, A-Levels, T Levels, a BTEC or an NVQ.

If you’re already experienced in business, you may not need as many qualifications as someone who’s entering the industry at entry level.

As a degree apprentice, you’ll be assuming a lot of responsibility, whether that’s managing your team or making key decisions on behalf of the organisation.

View business degree apprenticeships →

What are the benefits of a career in business?

1) Opportunities to work abroad

Some business apprenticeships are with small, independent local companies - others are offered by large, international companies. A career in business will provide you with the opportunity to work and live abroad (if you so choose).

Think about it, there isn’t a nation in the world that doesn’t have a business sector - even Eskimos trade. It’s truly a global industry.

You might not be working abroad as part of an apprenticeship, but in your future career it’s a real possibility.

2) Transferable skills

Transferable skills are soft skills that are relevant and useful across many different sectors and job roles. If you start a career in business you’ll have the skills to move onto a different career later on in life.

Some apprenticeships and degrees are in niche areas, such as Theatre Practice and Puppetry, and can limit a person to a narrow career path; business qualifications are the opposite.

If you aren’t 100% sure what you want to do when you’re older, starting a career in business will enable you to build skills, get experience and earn while you choose a specific path.

3) It’s an exciting career!

As the subheading suggests, the business industry is an exhilarating career! Imagine the thrills of signing off a huge deal, battling competitors for superiority in a market or growing a company from a small-town haberdashery into a global giant.

Even when you first start - wide-eyed and asking questions - you’ll be tested and face new challenges on a daily basis.

Below, we’ve broken down THREE of the many roles on offer in the business sector…

Business Administration

Business administrators engage with various parts of a business due to their knowledge and highly transferable skills. In fact, their skills can be applied across all sectors, in both small and larger companies.

Business Administrator

TIER: Level 3 (advanced)
DURATION: 12-18 months
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Level 2 business apprenticeship or 5 GCSE passes (including English and Maths)
QUALIFICATIONS: Level 3 Certificate in Business Management

Find a Business Apprenticeship →

Management

The main business apprenticeship which qualifies you to work within management is the role of Chartered Manager.

Chartered Managers are responsible for the people, projects, operations, and services of a business, as well as its long-term success and growth. It’s a widely respected and highly rewarded role.

Chartered Manager

TIER: Level 6 (degree)
DURATION: 48+ months
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: 2 A-Levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications) and GCSE passes in Maths and English QUALIFICATIONS: BA (Hons) / BSc (Hons) / BBA (Hons) in Business and Management

On completion of the Chartered Manager Business Apprenticeship, you’ll have earned a degree and a professional qualification from the Chartered Managers and Members of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr MCMI).

Watch this video for the inside scoop on life as a Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice...

HR

You may think that HR personnel only deal with payroll and recruitment, however, HR professionals help people at every level of the business with personal growth and development strategies.

They act as the go-between between managers and employees, and in some companies are referred to as ‘Talent Managers’ or even ‘Happiness Consultants.’

HR Consultant/Partner

TIER: Level 5 (higher)
DURATION: 36 months +
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Some employers have specific entry requirements, but typically look for a minimum of 5 GCSE passes and 3 A levels (A*-C)
QUALIFICATIONS: CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certification in Human Resource Management, CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management

This apprenticeship covers the key areas of HR in the first 24 months, then offers business apprentices the opportunity to specialise in Core HR, Resourcing, Organisation Development or HR Development.

Search for Business Apprenticeships →

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