Degree Apprenticeship Funding
Degree apprenticeships can be exceptionally good value
Cost-Effective Learning: Degree apprenticeships offer exceptional value, providing both education and work experience at reduced costs through government funding. While the cost of an apprenticeship will vary, the funding has been designed to make it easy and affordable for employers to utilise.
If you’re an employer with a pay bill over £3 million a year, you will have been paying the Apprenticeship Levy from 6 April 2017 through the PAYE process; it is calculated as 0.5% of total staff cost. If you are a smaller employer you will not pay the Levy but can still access the programme.
The delivery of apprenticeship training is a devolved matter, and England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have developed different ways for employers to access programmes. Companies will access the programmes that apply where the employees are based.
Funding depends on where the Apprenticeship is Based
- Access to apprenticeships in Wales is not affected by the size of the company. The Welsh Government funds Degree and Higher Apprenticeships covered by a Framework directly to the contracted training provider.
- Funding is determined by Welsh Government priorities.
- Employers are not required to contribute to the cost of apprenticeship provision.
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- You can put your levy contributions towards the cost of the degree apprenticeship
- The Apprenticeship Levy gives employers in England control of their training, allowing them to agree a total price for each apprenticeship, which includes the costs of training and assessment.
- For each English Apprenticeship Standard, a Funding Band has been set that caps the amount of funding that can be drawn down by the employer.
- Where the UWTSD cost of delivery is higher than the funding band, the university will agree an additional contribution with the Company to cover the difference, payable in annual instalments.
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- The Government will contribute at least 95% of tuition fees and assessment costs for any apprentice.
- The government requires these employers to make a 5% cash contribution to the cost, paid directly to the provider, and the government covers the rest (up to the maximum agreed funding band).
- In some instances there may be additional top-up fees payable to the university – these will be discussed during initial engagement meetings. Top-ups are payable in annual instalments. UWTSD will work with these companies to facilitate funding for the apprentice programme.
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Degree Apprenticeships in Wales
Typically, a three to five-year paid job combined with part-time university study, fully funded by employers and Welsh Government via Medr.
Requires being aged 16 or over 16, working in Wales at least half the time, and having Level 3 qualifications (eg A-levels or equivalent).
No tuition fees - you’re employed and paid a salary; employers cover your tuition fee costs.
Earn a salary, avoid debt, gain experience - but balancing work, study, housing and living costs can be difficult, especially in expensive areas.
Support available from Student Finance Wales (SFW) for standard (non-apprenticeship) courses
Tuition Fees & Living Costs
Tuition loans: As a Welsh resident, you’re eligible for a full tuition-fee loan (up to £9,790/year) regardless of where you study in the UK.
Maintenance (Living) costs
Up to £12,345/year via means-tested mix of non-repayable grants and loans.
(Everyone gets at least £1,000 grant; lowest income households may get up to £8,100 grant.)
Extra support
- Childcare grants (85% of costs, up to £192–£329/week)
- Parents’ Learning Allowance (£53–£1,945/year)
- Adult Dependants’ Grant (up to £3,407),
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (based on need), Special Support Grant for benefit claimants, etc.
How Apprenticeship Funding + Student Finance Interaction works
Tuition fees: For a degree apprenticeship, your tuition is covered by your employer and the Welsh Government - so you don’t need, and shouldn’t apply for, a tuition fee loan.
Maintenance funding: Typically, not available for apprentices, because you’re employed and paid. SFW is designed for students not receiving employment income.
Council tax: Degree apprentices are usually considered as full-time students under SFW rules and thus exempt from council tax (or 25% discount if living with a partner) .
Clashing funding: You cannot simultaneously have a degree-apprenticeship and claim full SFW support - nor hold two full-time courses at once.
| Situation | SFW Tuition Loan | Maintenance Support | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional full-time degree students | ✔ Pays tuition | Grant + loan up to ~£12k | — |
| Degree Apprenticeship students in Wales | ✘ Not eligible; employer pays tuition | ✘ Not eligible; you earn a wage | ✔ Salary + employer covers tuition |
If You’re Considering a Degree Apprenticeship
- No need to apply for tuition‑fee loans via Student Finance Wales—the degree costs are funded by other routes.
- You won’t be eligible for maintenance grants/loans since you’ll earn and receive a wage.
- You can apply for specific allowances (eg childcare, disability) based on life circumstances.
- Check with your employer – and university – about eligibility for grants and council‑tax exemption.
Information and Support
If you want to apply for Student Finance for the additional support (eg because you have children or an adult dependent) you can make an application online: www.student.financewales.co.uk
If you have any further questions, please contact the Money Support team at the university: moneysupport@uwtsd.ac.uk