Engineering degree apprenticeships increase despite Government funding cuts

New research from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) shows that engineering degree apprenticeship provision at the UK’s Top 100 universities has risen by 12% over the past two years.

The findings come shortly after the Government withdrew funding for most Level 7 apprentices aged over 21. These funding changes are expected to add £214m to employers’ training costs and intensify existing skills shortages.

Despite this funding reduction, 69% of the UK’s leading universities will continue to offer Level 7 apprenticeships this academic year. Engineering provision will be concentrated at Level 6, which accounts for 75% of degree apprenticeship opportunities, with the remaining 25% delivered at Level 7.

Across the UK’s top universities, the proportion offering degree apprenticeships has increased by 6% over two years, while the total number of programmes across all sectors has surged by 73%. Growth is particularly strong in disciplines aligned with workforce demand: marketing (increase of 150%), construction, architecture and the built environment (risen by 95%), and law (up 67%). In comparison, engineering degree apprenticeships have increased by only 12% over the same period, highlighting a far slower rate of expansion than many other high‑growth sectors.

UVAC’s analysis highlights the sectors with the most significant growth in degree apprenticeships over the past two years:

The research provides a detailed picture of how degree apprenticeship provision is shifting across the UK’s leading universities. Further information is available in UVAC’s full report.