Offer degree apprenticeships

Manchester Met is a leading university provider of degree apprenticeships with a proven record of success.

With more than 2,400 apprentices enrolled, we are an Ofsted Grade 1 Outstanding provider and the top rated university for degree apprenticeships (Rate My Apprenticeship Awards, 2019 - 2023 and University of the Year at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2023, for the second year in a row).

We are already delivering degree apprenticeships with over 600 of the UK’s leading employers, including AstraZeneca, Barclays, IBM, BAE Systems, Lloyds Banking Group, Thales, Asda and McDonald’s as well as scores of smaller businesses. 

We also have well-established relationships with many public sector organisations including councils and NHS trusts, and we are a national exemplar for degree apprenticeships with SMEs (Small Business Charter 2019).

All of this success is based on our strong partnerships with our employers.

Read about the impact of degree apprenticeships on the students and employers that we work with in our Force for Change report.

Every programme has an active employer advisory board, which helps us shape our programmes to directly meet the needs of business. Visit our Degree Apprenticeships in Development page for more information about how to get involved in the development of upcoming programmes.

When you partner with us, you and your apprentices will be supported throughout with:

• a dedicated account manager
• advice about funding and financial help from the government
• assistance with recruitment, including vacancy alerts to potential candidates and space to exhibit at open days
• a dedicated skills coach to provide your apprentice with pastoral and academic support

Incentives are available to support employers who recruit new apprentices.

Why offer degree apprenticeships?

• Apprentices develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours directly relevant to your business, often in key skills shortage areas
• Degree apprenticeships help attract and retain talented employees, providing a ladder of opportunity and progression - they are also a great way of improving the diversity of your workforce and social mobility
• Apprentices work on live projects devised by you, them and our academics - maximising tangible business benefits
• Programmes are supported by government funding and the apprenticeship levy scheme

How degree apprenticeships work

Degree apprenticeships are a powerful combination of study and on-the-job learning.

Apprentices can be new recruits or existing employees who want to gain new knowledge and develop their careers. As well as learning new workplace skills, employees who complete their apprenticeship will graduate with a qualification, such as a bachelors or masters degree.

You will need to pay apprentices a salary of at least the applicable National Minimum Wage and give them paid time off to study, complete assessments and attend university.

Study patterns vary depending on the programmes and employer needs – eg day release each week, or three-day block delivery with online learning. Apprenticeships take between two and four years to complete, depending on the programmes.

Large employers can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for the cost of the programmes. The government will pay 95% of the programmes fees for smaller firms who do not pay the apprenticeship levy.

Find out more about funding