Demand for degree apprenticeships quadruples in three years
Competition for degree apprenticeships in England has quadrupled over the last three years as students seek alternatives to traditional university paths. Despite high demand, the number of available positions has significantly decreased, leading to intense competition for applicants.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing shift in educational preferences and economic pressures, signaling a potential crisis in vocational training accessibility.
Image source, Hazel Shearing / BBC Published 5 minutes ago Competition for degree apprenticeships in England has quadrupled over the past three years, the BBC has found.
The popularity of degree apprenticeships - which offer a paid-for university degree along with a salary - has grown as the cost of university has come under increased scrutiny.
Data seen by the BBC showed the number of applicants through the government's central platform nearly tripled from 8,100 to 21,800 over the past three years, while the number of positions available fell by almost half, from 7,300 to 3,700.
Applicants said they applied to university as a "backup" because competition was so fierce, with employers cutting back on hiring because of high employment costs and economic uncertainty.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it was "backing employers who take on young apprentices".
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