Degree Apprenticeships for Veterans: Earn a Degree on a Salary Without Tuition Fees

A degree apprenticeship lets you earn a full bachelor's (Level 6) or master's (Level 7) degree while employed on a salary, with no tuition cost to you and no student loan. You spend about 80 percent of your time working and about 20 percent studying, and the programme takes three to six years. Any adult in England aged 16 or over who is not in full-time education can apply, including service leavers.

How degree apprenticeships work

The government groups apprenticeships by level. Level 2 equals GCSEs, Level 3 equals A levels, Levels 4 to 7 sit at foundation degree level and above, and Levels 6 and 7 are the degree apprenticeships, equivalent to a bachelor's or master's degree. All apprenticeships take from 8 months to 6 years and set aside at least 20 percent of working hours for training and study (GOV.UK).

Training can happen weekly, monthly or in blocks, at work, at a university or provider, or online. Your training provider confirms the pattern. Pages used: GOV.UK apprenticeships guide, GOV.UK pay and conditions and the UCAS degree apprenticeships page.

Who can apply

• You must be 16 or over, living in England and not in full-time education. The government guide sets no upper age.
• A previous qualification, such as a degree, does not stop you applying.
• Entry requirements vary by vacancy. Some ask for specific grades, and employers also look for skills such as communication and leadership.
• If you already have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be able to train for less time. Agree this with your training provider and employer at the start.
• Residents of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate services run by their own organisations.

Who pays for the training

The employer and the government share the cost. For people aged 25 and over, which covers most service leavers, the split depends on the employer type.

The funding rules sit on the GOV.UK get funding page for employers. The page gives no funding band maximums, and the rules change, so ask the employer to confirm the funding route before you accept an offer. You pay no fee for your own tuition.

What you earn

Apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over in their first year receive at least £8 an hour from April 2026. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over receive the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their age. The rates from April 2026 are £12.71 for age 21 and over, £10.85 for ages 18 to 20 and £8 under 18, according to the GOV.UK rates page. These are legal floors. Degree apprenticeship employers set their own pay, and vacancies state it. Your pay covers normal working hours and the time you spend on training, including English and maths study where it is part of the course.

How to find and apply

1. Search vacancies on the UCAS apprenticeship search, which also lets you browse by industry, and on the government Find an apprenticeship service. On the government service you register a profile, search and apply.
2. Apply as you would for a job, with a CV and cover letter. UCAS says you can use a university personal statement as a starting point.
3. Apply to several vacancies. UCAS confirms you can apply for several degree apprenticeships and university courses at the same time.
4. Check each vacancy's deadline and start date. There is no fixed application cycle, and employers advertise throughout the year.
5. Ask the employer who the training provider is, how the funding works and how much study time you get.

The service-leaver angle

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and the Forces Employment Charity provide advice, training and job support, and your resettlement entitlement depends on length of service (GOV.UK, leaving the Armed Forces).

The Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) grant of £534 covers up to 20 days at £26.70 a day for contract-funded training. Non-contract-funded training is paid for through resettlement grants, Enhanced Learning Credits or self-funding. A degree apprenticeship carries no tuition fee for you, so ask your service resettlement adviser which funds, if any, can support your preparation and application. The adviser can confirm your entitlements, and Defence Business Services answers queries on 0800 085 3600. For detail on credits, see the guide to ELCAS and Standard Learning Credits.

The UK-wide VALOUR support system links veterans and their families with local services on housing, health, work and finances. More centres are planned for early 2027, and until then you can use phone, email or online referral.

Degree apprenticeship or full-time university

A degree apprenticeship suits service leavers who need income from the first month and want to avoid tuition debt. It commits you to one employer for three to six years. Full-time university is the alternative route, and it carries tuition fees and living costs. Postgraduate study has its own routes. See the guide to funding a master's or PhD. Trade routes at lower levels are covered in veteran apprenticeships and trade pathways.