How to Apply

Eligibility

In general, if you are aged 16 or over, have the right to work in England and are not in full-time education, or are currently employed with us you can apply for an apprenticeship.

Eligibility for apprenticeship funding will change for some individuals as a consequence of the United Kingdom exiting the European Union. Detailed eligibility rules are set out in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. We will update these as new arrangements are put in place.

Full eligibility criteria

Eligibility checks include, but are not limited to, the apprentice:

• must start their apprenticeship after the last Friday in June of the academic year in which they have their 16th birthday. Apprentices must be over 16 years old - there is no upper age limit.
• must not be enrolled on another apprenticeship, or another DfE funded FE/HE programme, at the same time as any new apprenticeship they start.
• is not in full-time education at the time of employment.
• must spend at least 50% of their working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship.
• lives in and has the right to work in England.
• should be either:
  • a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
  • or a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.

Apprenticeship Pay

Earn a competitive salary with incremental pay rises each year rewarding your achievement, knowledge and experience.  The pay rates for apprentices can be found on our website here, with the lowest apprenticeship salary in line with the Real Living Wage.

Subject to satisfactory performance, and subject to a minimum of six months of service in the grade, increments are payable on the 1st of August each year until the top progression point of the grade is reached.

Benefits

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• A very generous holiday allowance of 39 days!
• Automatic enrolment to our pension scheme (this is a contributory scheme so a deduction will be made from your pay).
• Opportunities for personal and professional development through our learning and development team.
• Involvement in our apprentice activities and events.
• Access to 24 hr support line, staff association, and our libraries.

What facilities are there?

There are plenty of places on campus where you can visit. you will have access to our library, can work out in our state of the art gyms and sports facilities, use the childcare centre, or perhaps go to a concert or show after work.

• Access to our fantastic sports facilities.

We also boast a wide variety of cafés, shops, restaurants and bars where you can eat and drink on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses in Exeter and our Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

• Exeter campus map
• Penryn campus map

Facts and Figures

The age ranges of our apprentices are currently between 16 and 58 years old. Our apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. 

The University has over 140 apprentices working for us.

Apprenticeship Occupations

Our apprentices work in a wide variety of occupations.  Recent vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities include:

1. Academic Professional, Level: 7
2. Accountancy Taxation Professional, Level 7
3. Animal Technologist, Level: 3
4. Arboriculture, Level: 3
5. Assistant Accountant, Level 3
6. Business Administrator, Level: 2, 3 and 4
7. Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, Level: 6
8. Chef De Partie, Level: 3
9. Children and Young People's Workforce, Level: 2 and 3
10. Commercial Procurement & Supply, Level: 4
11. Commis Chef, Level: 2
12. Construction Technical and Professional HNC, Level: 4
13. Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, Level: 6
14. Domestic Heating, Level: 2 and 3
15. Electronic or Electrical Engineering: Level 3
16. Engineering Technician, Level: 3
17. Exercise and Fitness: Personal Training, Level: 3
18. Horticulture, Level: 2 and 3
19. Hospitality Management, Level: 4
20. HR Consultant/Partner, Level: 5
21. HR Support, Level: 3
22. Infrastructure Technician, Level: 3
23. IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals: level 2 and 3
24. Laboratory Scientist Level: 5
25. Laboratory Technician, Level: 3
26. Leisure Operations and Leisure Management, Level: 3
27. Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical, Level: 4
28. Research Scientist, Level: 7
29. Senior Leader Master’s Degree, Level: 7
30. Social Media and Digital Marketing: Digital Marketing, Level: 4
31. Team leader/supervisor, Level: 3

On top of the apprenticeships above, there will be other vacancies and opportunities that arise.

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university that combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction. Exeter has over 4,600 staff and 21,000 students from more than 130 different countries and is amongst the top universities worldwide according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Our research focuses on some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.

The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.

Russell Group Universities have a huge impact on the social, economic and cultural well-being of their regions, yet also influence and achieve impact on a truly global scale. By virtue of their size and the quality of their research and teaching, Russell Group universities create and catalyse a diverse range of economic activity which has a major impact on the economy of the UK.

There are excellent opportunities for personal and professional development through our learning and development team. This includes locally delivered face to face courses, online training, and access to externally accredited qualifications.

We are a Science Council Employer Champion and corporate affiliates with the Institute of Science and Technology.  As an Employer Champion with the Science Council, the University of Exeter is committed to actively promoting and supporting the professional development and recognition of our scientific staff through professional registration and provides an environment in which registrants are able to uphold their codes of conduct. We will support your initial membership with a professional body and will help provide an environment where you can build on your Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

We are committed to developing the best talent and investing in building skills for the future. If you have drive, enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment, then an apprenticeship with us will give you valuable hands-on knowledge, experience and qualification to succeed in your chosen career path.

"The University of Exeter provides numerous opportunities for Apprentices every year. They provide an outstanding commitment to students by offering high quality and well-structured work experience to ensure future Apprentices are ideally suited for the roles they take on. They continually look to develop their Apprenticeship provision and were the first employer to commit fully to the higher Apprenticeship provision with Exeter College. Regardless of scale, the University of Exeter supports each individual every step of the way".

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships at Exeter College

Whether in one of our six academic colleges, or many Professional Services, we can offer apprenticeships across multiple trades and professionalisms.  The University of Exeter is an exciting place to be.

In a recent survey of our apprentices - % of apprentices satisfied or very satisfied:

• 82.4% that the Apprenticeship has provided them with better skills or knowledge related to my current or desired area of work.
• 82.4% with the information received during their University induction.
• 91.2% with the information received during their local induction at my place of work.
• 85.3% that they have been made to feel welcome and feel part of the team.
• 79.4% that the Apprenticeship has improved their ability to do their job.
• 79.4% that the Apprenticeship has provided them with transferrable skills.

Our apprentices said:

• Having various different working places, we are able to move around and experience different ways of working in other disciplines.
• My team are amazing and have helped me so much and made me feel so welcome in my role.
• It's a really good place to learn I'm very satisfied and enjoying all my training.
• I got to meet lots of different people doing different jobs also within the university which gives you a good understanding of different roles to mine.
• It helped me to get a full-time job at the university.
• The team/area I had been placed in was incredibly welcoming and supportive from the start, while I have had several line managers throughout the year they were all encouraging and provided me with lots of opportunities for professional and personal development. The University has an immense number of courses that I or my line managers could recommend to enrol on, and this has given me a great boost in terms of knowledge and skill gains. As well as this I have been in the fortunate position of having a varying workload where, as advised and suggested by my line manager, I was able to join other departments for shadowing where I could learn different systems and objectives, ultimately making positive contributions for the other teams I have worked within.
• I have been well supported and looked after at the University and feel it is providing me with a very positive learning experience.
• The classes are interesting and a good mix of group work/PowerPoint/lone activities. It's nice to take time out to reflect on/grow my knowledge and skills. It also feels nice to be working towards a qualification.
• Learning new things every day working with a great team.
• I will have to say I feel very lucky to of secured a place on an apprenticeship, which I would have to say is one of the best opportunities one could have in Cornwall.

Read case studies from our apprentices

Where will I work?

You will work at one of our campuses in Devon or Cornwall. Our main campuses in Devon are Streatham and St Luke's, and our main campus in Cornwall is Penryn.

Your workplace will differ depending upon the type of apprenticeship you are doing. If you are doing a Laboratory or Engineering apprenticeship you will find yourself working from our state of the art laboratories or mechanical workshops, however, if your apprenticeship role is in Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Finance or HR you will most likely be office based.

We will ensure you have what you need to enable you to do your job safely and properly. You will be issued with any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for your role, and if you are office-based you will be set up with access to a computer.

When will I work?

The majority (80%) of your time will be spent doing a real job, and any required on-the-job training, at the University. The other 20% of your time you will be conducting, off-the-job, Guided Learning Hours at either our training provider or through directed learning, online training/activities, projects and self-study.

Our employees usually work a 36.5 hour week (7 hours 18 minutes each day) Monday to Friday. Your working day may vary, but a typical working day starts at 09:00, has an hour lunch break between 12:00-14:00, and then finishes around 17:18. Your line manager will discuss and confirm working hours with you on your first day so you know what to expect - if you are unsure, just ask them.

As an apprentice, you can expect to spend one day each week, or the equivalent of one day per week, with one of our training providers studying for your qualification. This will depend on whether you are studying on an apprenticeship framework or standard.

We are very generous when it comes to holidays and you will be entitled to 39 days (284.7 hours) holiday each year, including bank holidays, university closure days, and 28 days of discretionary leave that you can take when you like (outside of your training term time) following authorisation by your line manager.

What will I do?

You will do real work that directly benefits the department you are working for and the University. There are more details on our fact sheets about the sort of work you will be doing as this varies with each type of apprenticeship.

You will be learning your trade supported by your line manager, your assigned mentor, and our experienced existing staff members. You will be mentored by either your line manager or an experienced colleague who will use their knowledge, skills and connections to help you with your role.

As you progress within your role you will become more independent and will be able to take responsibility for solving your own problems and completing more complex tasks.

To support the start of your employment you will complete university and local inductions. Effective induction is an important and valuable part of ensuring real benefit to you, as a new member of staff and the University. It aims to assist you to perform effectively in your job role and within your work environment as soon as possible. There is a lot to take in during your induction, so take plenty of notes and refer back to the induction web pages for more information. If you are unsure about anything, just ask your line manager or mentor for clarification - the only stupid question is the question you didn't ask!

We support our new staff through a number of online and face to face mandatory training, for example, health and safety, equality and diversity, information security, and prevent duty. You should aim to complete your "Introduction to Health and Safety" on your first day, and all the other online mandatory training within your first week of employment.

Working safely and ethically is paramount and the University operates under highly regulated conditions because of the need to control the quality and safety of our staff, students, and visitors. You will be expected to work both individually and as part of a team, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work you conduct. You should be proactive in finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improving our processes, procedures and techniques. Make sure you read the University Health and Safety Policy booklet and understand your responsibilities, as you will be asked questions on it during your enrolment with your training provider.

You should keep a record of experience/learning log for the duration of your apprenticeship. This will help you collate evidence that you can use towards your qualification. This should contain a variety of evidence, such as reports, emails, pictures and a reflective journal.

What is the training like?

You will spend time in the classroom, workshop or laboratory where your learning will be directly relevant to your qualification and your job.

Unlike school, you will be treated as an adult and will be expected to organise your work and behave accordingly. You will receive an excellent educational experience from our training providers and will be immersed in real-time on the job training at the University of Exeter whilst in your day to day role.

Your apprenticeship training will develop your knowledge, skills, and behaviours against the framework or standard you are working towards. There will most likely also be a project element to your apprenticeship.

How will I be assessed?

Whilst on day-release with your training provider, you will be supported by your Skills Trainer/Tutors. Whilst at work, your Training Officer will visit you and carry out assessments in a variety of styles: observing you; completing knowledge questions; setting practical tasks. They will also help you build your portfolio of evidence for your qualification.

There may also be a number of reviews throughout your apprenticeship. If you have an accompanying qualification, such as an NVQ or BTEC, you will need to ensure you complete the modules in good time, and have completed all your assignments before the end of your apprenticeship. Your skills tutor and line manager should be able to help you keep track of what you need to do, by when, but you should ensure you keep track of it all yourself.

Depending on your apprenticeship you will work towards professional registration with a professional body. Achievement of this professional qualification will also be a pre-requisite for participation in the formal end assessment. There is a requirement that you will participate in continuing professional development on completion of your apprenticeship

Ahead of your EPA, the training provider will support you in meeting the Standard and then judge whether you have successfully met the learning outcomes. In considering these factors, the training provider is able to advise the University when you are ready for EPA for the employer to decide.

You must make every effort to have gained the knowledge, skills and behaviour across the Standard, as demonstrated in your Portfolio of Learning and 1- to-1s with your line manager and skills tutor. If you have a project, this must be completed before you are able to be put forward for EPA.

Formal end point assessment (EPA), completed in the final 3 months, will be based on a synoptic assessment test (SAT) and vocational competence discussion in the workplace when the approved assessor will observe you on the job to ensure that you fulfil the specification. You will also complete a scenario case study designed to test the understanding of transferrable skills and application of your knowledge.

The assessment plan for each apprenticeship can be found on the government website. This details the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you must reach to pass your apprenticeship.

How will I be treated?

You are an employee first and foremost. You will be treated with dignity and respect, given responsibilities, and in return, you will be expected to comply with the standards and expectations of the University set out in our Codes of Conduct and Policies.

We are committed to supporting your work in an environment that promotes equality and is free from discrimination and harassment.

You will work safely, report risks, be punctual, dress appropriately for the work you are doing, and have a positive, can-do, attitude.

We take your wellbeing seriously and are continually improving the range of facilities and support available to our employees and students.

If you are training as an Apprentice you will have a full-time job with the University of Exeter and will study with one of our training providers one day each week during term time.

During your time studying with our training provider, you will be taught by your tutor or skills officer and you will spend the remainder of the week working at the University of Exeter where you will put your new skills into practice.  Whilst at work, your skills officer will visit you and carry out an assessment in a variety of styles - observing you, completing knowledge questions and setting practical tasks.

You will be:

• Self-driven and highly motivated
• Proactive
• Logical
• Diligent
• Creative
• Dependable and punctual
• Well organised

You will have:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrable problem-solving skills and the ability to use your own initiative
• The ability to work individually, and as part of a team
• A willingness to learn, and put into practice, new technical skills
• A positive, can-do, attitude
• A willingness and desire to develop yourself both personally and professionally

If you are about to take your GCSEs or are considering what to do after your A-levels and you would like a rewarding career, you will find a diverse range of exciting apprenticeship opportunities here at the University of Exeter.

Our early career apprenticeships are aimed at (but not limited to) enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated school/college leavers aged over 16 years old. 

You will gain highly sought after skills, qualifications and work experience in a Russell Group University.

Your apprenticeship training will be delivered through our approved training providers. You will also receive an induction, and have access to online training and will have access to a wide range of our staff learning and development opportunities.

Requirements

You will need 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (Maths and English are mandatory). Requirements may vary depending on your chosen apprenticeship, so please do contact us if you would like to discuss your qualifications and situation in more detail.

Vacancies

New opportunities can be found on our  listings, along with details of how to apply.

Want to know more?

The Government has some really useful guides to help you - see below:

• A guide to Apprenticeships - Find out what it’s like to be an apprentice – the opportunities, benefits and just how far an apprenticeship can take you in the future.
• Parents guide to Apprenticeships - Information for parents about the benefits of apprenticeships and the opportunities they provide.
• Resources for teachers and advisers - Resources to help teachers and careers advisers offer information, advice and guidance to young people, about apprenticeships

Find out more

Here are some fact sheets to give you a better idea of what is in it for you:

• A guide to apprenticeships
• A parent’s guide to apprenticeships
• Higher and degree apprenticeships
• Apprenticeship standards: list of occupations available
• National Apprenticeships Service YouTube Channel
• National Careers Service Advice

Guides for Teachers and Advisors

• A-Z of Apprenticeships Poster
• Apprenticeships: resources for teachers and advisers