5 Ways Degree Apprenticeships Help You Avoid Student Debt and Kickstart Your Career
Why spend £70k on student tuition when you could get a free degree, paid salary, and a career at the same time?
Imagine this - You’ve just graduated from university with a fresh degree in one hand, and £70k+ of student debt in the other. This is the reality for many graduates who have finished higher education.
But what if there was another way- another way to graduate from university debt free, while earning a salary, and launching your career from day 1?
Ladies and gentlemen… enter degree apprenticeships.
These schemes aren’t an alternative for people who didn’t get the grades for uni - they’re a smarter, quicker and more powerful way to get ahead. If you still want a university degree without looming student debt and a clear head start in the job market, this is for you!
Let us share just 5 ways degree apprenticeships let you skip the debt and kickstart your career, especially as a young professional.
1. Earn While You Learn (No More Part-Time Jobs)
Unlike university students who often work part time jobs just to make ends meet, degree apprentices earn a high salary from day one.
Many apprentices start on £20,000 and over, depending on the industry. Some industries pay higher.
And, your employer covers your university fees while paying you to work and study. That’s right! You haven’t been paid to study in high school, but you certainly will in a degree apprenticeship!
Translation? Instead of paying to study, you’re getting paid to learn stuff you’re passionate about. You’ll earn your degree with money in the bank instead of a mountain of student loans.
2. Zero Tuition Fees Means Zero Student Loans
Let’s talk numbers: a normal 3-year degree at university will set you back roughly £44,950. This number would be even more if you study an extra year, like doing a placement or studying abroad. In fact, one graduate owed as much as £189,700!
But.
With a degree apprenticeship..
Your employer pays your tuition fees in full.
You don’t need to borrow a penny for your education.
By the time your uni friends are scrambling into the job market to find employment, you’ll be thriving in your full time role. You’ll have years of experience behind you, and earning a salary debt free.
Quick Reality Check: Would you rather pick a scheme that pretty much guarantees your future career? Or lag years behind and feel the weight of thousands in debt? Degree apprenticeships make that choice easy.
3. You Get Real-World Work Experience While Earning Your Degree
You’ve probably heard this before.
“Employers want real experience.”
The hole in the system? Traditional graduates leave university with a degree, but very little hands-on work experience. There’s more focus on theory, and less on employment skills. The world is changing, and employers want to understand what you’ve already DONE so they can get an idea of what you can DO for THEM.
As a degree apprentice, you’re ahead of the game because:
You’re learning on the job every day, applying what you study in real time. Theory into practice. Practice into theory.
By graduation, you’ll have 3+ years of work experience under your belt.
This means when you’re applying for jobs, your CV won’t just say “Degree in Business Management”—it’ll say:
✅ Degree in Business Management
✅ 3 years of experience in a professional role, at a real company
✅ Proven skills in [INSERT INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TASKS]
Employers love this combo. It makes you highly employable compared to traditional graduates who are starting from square one, with very little to no experience.
4. You Graduate With a Job (Not Just a Degree)
A degree apprenticeship isn’t just about the qualification—it’s about securing your future career. It’s about seizing opportunities many can only dream of. Most employers use degree apprenticeships as a way to develop long-term talent, meaning:
You’re already part of the company as an employee, and you’re treated like one.
There’s a good chance you’ll be offered a permanent role when you graduate. So your employment is pretty much secure.
While your friends at uni are competing for a shrinking number of graduate schemes, you’re already in a job you love—working alongside people who’ve seen your potential from day one.
You won’t just graduate with a degree. You’ll graduate with a career that lasts forever.
5. You Learn Skills That Actually Matter in the Job Market
University lectures are great, but let’s be honest—how much of what you study actually gets used in the real world? How many opportunities do you get to actually use those skills?
Degree apprenticeships are designed with employers in mind. That means:
You’re learning industry-relevant skills that companies need right now, so you can be sure your role is future-proof.
Employers work with training providers to develop the scheme.
Your training is practical and tailored to your career goals.
By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to do the job, not just talk about it. Your CV will speak volumes, and you’ll be confident, skilled, and ready to make an impact.
Bonus: The skills you gain are very transferable. As a degree apprentice, you’ll learn skills like teamwork, time management and organisation. You’re not locked into one career path, you’re opening doors to other opportunities too. You can get a degree apprenticeship in:
Technology
Finance
Law
Healthcare
And much more!
Conclusion: Why Start Your Career in Debt When You Don’t Have To?
Student loans? Overdrafts? Financial stress? Future career worries? Forget that. Degree apprenticeships are changing the game by giving you the chance to:
✅ Earn while you study
✅ Graduate debt-free
✅ Gain valuable real-world experience
✅ Secure a job before you even finish your degree
You're also setting yourself up for the future, with a greater chance of long term employment and getting a job easily. If you’re serious about getting a degree without student debt, and launching your career from day one, a degree apprenticeship is the smartest decision you can make.
👉 Ready to apply? Check out our tips on writing a standout CV!
👉 Want to learn more about degree apprenticeships? Dive into our post explaining these amazing schemes!
👉 Avoid these CV 5 mistakes Y12 and Y13 applicants make to find success!