Degree apprenticeships at Bradford to expand after funding boost

The University has received £90,404 from the Office for Students (OfS) to expand its degree apprenticeship programme, following a successful funding bid. This is part of an investment in Level 6 apprenticeship courses and places that are available in English higher education. 

A total of seven degree apprenticeships at the University of Bradford will benefit from this first wave of funding. 

The University of Bradford currently offers degree apprenticeships in Chartered Manager, Chemistry, Healthcare Science Practitioner, Nursing Associate Foundation, Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Social Worker.

Degree apprenticeships give students the chance to gain a university education and effectively complete training while they are working. The scheme enables employers to attract new staff, develop existing employees and retain skilled workers.  

This first wave of allocated investment is part of the OfS’s £40m degree apprenticeships fund, which will give support for 205 Level 6 degree apprenticeship programmes at 51 higher education providers, comprising of both colleges and universities. 

These higher education sites will use their funding to expand course provision at those already offering Level 6 degree apprenticeships. The funding will also boost numbers and increase equality of opportunity in Level 6 degree apprenticeships. 

Excellent platform

Paul Watson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning, Teaching & Student Experience) at the University of Bradford, said: “We are delighted to have received funding from the Office for Students following our successful bid. 

“The funding allocation means that we can broaden the range of degree apprenticeship courses that are available at the University of Bradford. 

“These courses have already provided an excellent platform to help our students in the world of work, and we look forward to welcoming more students onto our courses and following their career progression.”

The University of Bradford’s degree apprenticeships are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Success story 

An example of the success of the University of Bradford’s Degree Apprenticeship Programme is former student Rumaana Nisa. 

Rumaana, who now works as a Wholesale Training Specialist at Morrisons, graduated from the University of Bradford’s Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme in December 2023, and returned weeks later to help with the opening of the University’s two new Morrisons Daily stores. 

Rumaana said: “For me, a Degree Apprenticeship was the best option to start my career. After A-levels, I had provisional offers to study Business Management at two universities - Manchester and Leeds - but because these courses are seen to lead to good careers, they attract a lot of students. There is then a lot of competition for jobs after graduation. 

“By becoming a degree apprentice, I was able to start my career with Morrisons, meaning I have three years of experience as well as a qualification, all while earning a salary and without any student debt.”

The University of Bradford’s degree apprenticeships are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the OfS, said: “Degree apprenticeships can provide a beneficial alternative route for students in higher education, which bridges the spaces between traditional study and the workplace. Our initial £12m investment will support universities and colleges to accelerate their efforts to grow and develop these courses.

“We set universities and colleges a challenge to deliver an extensive range of degree apprenticeships that students from all backgrounds could access. They responded with a wide range of innovative and ambitious bids.

“This is a major intervention by the OfS and I am excited to see how the successful bids from the first wave of applications expand and enhance courses on offer to students.

“As these projects take root and grow, our funding will help universities and colleges to ensure that every student is supported to access these courses and harness the skills needed to boost local and regional economies.”