What an apprenticeship actually is — a job, not a course
An apprenticeship combines practical training in a real job with study. You’re hired as an employee, you work alongside experienced staff, and a slice of your paid hours is set aside for learning. They take anywhere from 8 months to 6 years depending on the type and level.
To start one in England you need to be:
- 16 or over (you can apply while still at school, but must be 16 by the end of the summer holidays to start);
- living in England;
- not in full-time education.
That’s it — there is no upper age limit. Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers: career-changers and people returning to work use them too. If you already have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be able to agree a shorter training time with your employer and training provider.
The headline that beats university for many people
You leave with a recognised qualification, real work experience and — at higher and degree level — a full degree, all while being paid and with no tuition fees and no student loan. The training cost is met by employers (through the apprenticeship levy) and government funding, not by you.
The levels — GCSE level to a master’s degree
Apprenticeships sit at recognised educational levels. You don’t have to start at the bottom — your starting level depends on the role and your existing qualifications.
| Name | Level | Roughly equivalent to |
|---|
| Intermediate (and Foundation) | 2 | GCSEs |
| Advanced | 3 | A levels |
| Higher | 4, 5 (and 6, 7) | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor’s or master’s degree |
A degree apprenticeship is the standout: you study for a full university degree while working and earning, and the tuition is funded — so you graduate with a degree, work experience and no debt. Some apprenticeships also bundle an extra qualification such as a diploma.
Most apprenticeships include time for English and maths functional-skills qualifications if you don’t already have them — and that study time is paid.
The pay — and the wage trap to watch
You’re an employee, so you must be paid at least the relevant minimum wage. There’s a special apprentice rate of £8 an hour (from 1 April 2026), but it only applies in two situations:
| Your situation | Minimum you must get |
|---|
| Aged 16 to 18 | £8.00 (apprentice rate) |
| Aged 19+ and in your first year | £8.00 (apprentice rate) |
| Aged 19+ and finished your first year | Your full age rate — see below |
And the full age rates from 1 April 2026 (the same figures on our underpaid-wages guide):
| Age | Minimum per hour |
|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| 16 to 17 | £8.00 |
The apprentice-rate trap
The £8 apprentice rate is
only for under-19s or first-year apprentices. The day you turn 19
and have completed year one, you’re legally entitled to your full age rate — for a 21-year-old that’s a jump from £8.00 to
£12.71. Employers keeping people on the apprentice rate too long is one of the most common underpayments in Britain. Check your pay against your age and year — our
underpaid-wages guide shows how to claim arrears free.
These are minimums — many employers pay apprentices well above them, and your contract must confirm your actual rate.
Your rights as an apprentice
You’re an employee with the same rights as any worker: at least 20 days’ paid holiday a year plus bank holidays, holiday pay, sick pay, and protection from unfair treatment. At least 20% of your normal working hours must be paid time for training and study — that can happen weekly, monthly or in blocks, at work, at a college or online.
How to find one — free, in one place
- Search the free GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship service — it lists vacancies across England and lets you apply directly. Filter by level, sector and location.
- Ask your school, college or a training provider — they often have employer links and can advise on the right level for you.
- Apply with a CV and covering note, just like any job. Many apprenticeships start in late summer/autumn but they run all year.
- Want broader guidance? The free National Careers Service can talk through options if you’re weighing an apprenticeship against college, university or work.
Do this now
Open Find an Apprenticeship, search your area and the level that fits, and save two or three vacancies to apply for this week.
Already an apprentice? Check your hourly pay against your age and year — if you’re 19+ and past year one, you should be on your full age rate. If not, our underpaid-wages guide shows how to put it right for free.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
The levels, the £8 rate and the Find an Apprenticeship service above are for England. The other UK nations run their own systems and websites: Apprenticeships.scot (Modern Apprenticeships via Skills Development Scotland), gov.wales apprenticeships, and nidirect in Northern Ireland — the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate applies UK-wide, but funding and how to apply differ.