Guide to applying
This guide is for individuals who are not already employed and would like to start an apprenticeship.
1. Decide which degree apprenticeship standard you would like to study.
You can find a full list of degree apprenticeship standards on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website.
2. Search for open roles with an employer for that degree apprenticeship.
Degree apprenticeship opportunities are listed in a variety of places:
findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk: This is where the majority of apprenticeship vacancies are advertised. You can create a free account to search & apply for jobs. You can set up alerts for specific job roles, locations or levels to make sure you don’t miss out on relevant opportunities.
Employer websites: Some employers advertise apprenticeship vacancies on their own websites and will provide instructions for what needs to be submitted.
Training providers: In some cases, employers will ask training providers to help manage the apprenticeship application process and you may be redirected to their website. For example, at NU London we list current vacancies with our employer partners here.
Other: Some employers may use recruitment platforms to advertise apprenticeship programmes. Commonly used platforms include:
3. Apply for vacancies you are interested in. Application processes for different positions can vary but typically you will need:
- a CV and cover letter
- to answer employer specific application questions (may involve online testing or answering questions by video)
- to complete a follow-up online or in-person interview at an assessment centre
Application deadlines will be different for each role so it’s helpful to have a system to keep track of application deadlines coming up for the vacancies you are most interested in, whether that’s setting alarms on your phone or using a paper planner.
You can find more tips about how to make your apprenticeship application stand out on our blog.