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Our Apprentice Journeys

How they did it

There are so many different ways to reach a degree level qualification - whatever route you have chosen, and whatever level you are at now, you can work your way up to achieving a bachelors degree, or even a masters degree in a wide range of university subject areas, often with additional professional qualifications on completion.

Find out more

Our apprentices come from many different educational and professional backgrounds - our range of programmes provide the opportunity to earn while they learn, studying content closely aligned to their professional journey, all around their existing commitments.

Some may have thought a degree wasn’t possible for them or that it might be too difficult to work and study, whilst trying to balance home life. Here’s how they did it.

Apprenticeships offer routes that you may not have thought possible 

Meghann Creffield

Meghan’s apprenticeship opened a gateway that led to promotion

"As a young mother I was unable to undertake a more traditional degree route due to time and money constraints. Between my personal circumstances and a lack of confidence in myself, I presumed that a degree level qualification was something I could never achieve. But alongside raising my family and working, I have been able to complete both a Foundation Degree and an Applied Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship BSc. This was only possible with the flexibility of the apprenticeship."

Meghann Creffield, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Winner of Outstanding Contribution by an Apprentice to an Employer, at the 91¶¶Òõ and Hove Apprenticeships Awards 2021

Liam Major on a construction site

Liam’s journey from NVQ to university degree

"I’ve been working in the [construction] industry for about 7 years now. I started off as Apprentice Brick Layer through an NVQ, then went on to do a Higher National Certification in Building and the Environment, and now, my degree apprenticeship at the 91¶¶Òõ, all supported by my employer.

Liam Major, Croudace Homes Ltd, Construction Site Manager Degree Apprentice

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Celine Le Rochais

Celine wants to move towards management 

“I am aiming to move away from the clinical side of my job and into management, particularly international, within our parent company Vet Partners, who encourage development opportunities - so it was not a difficult conversation.”

Celine Le Rochais, Coastway Vets, Senior Leader Apprentice

 

Lyra Ginns

Lyra’s employer believed in her and suggested a degree apprenticeship

"Prior to the apprenticeship, I haven’t had any formal education since the age of 16. I didn’t think I was academic enough and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. 

I worked my way up through various health and safety roles, which led to my employment with Southern Water who made me aware of this programme. I was super nervous at first, but it was an amazing thing to hear because it meant my employer really believed in me."

Lyra Ginns, Southern Water, Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentice

Karen Jefford

Balancing act for Karen, but rewards of masters are evident

“I'm halfway through and already I've seen a change in the way I apply new knowledge, how I support individuals and I’m more focussed in my strategy for everyday operations. 

It’s been a bit of a job balancing study, work and home life - but wow, I can already see the transformation after only a year. People must be prepared to dedicate the time - but it’s two years of worthwhile commitment and I’d highly recommend it"

Karen Jefford, Building Heroes, Senior Leader Apprentice

Katie Wilmshurst

Katie makes the case for multiple apprenticeships

“I have been fortunate to progress in my career through two consecutive apprenticeships.

I think the need to have an apprenticeship route into nursing, is needed now more than ever as the current need for nurses and health care professionals grows. There is already a huge workforce within the NHS of health care assistants, who are highly skilled and are keen to progress.”

Katie Wilmshurst, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice

Lewis Huston

Lewis worked through the Civil Engineer apprenticeship levels

"I started with a Level 3 Civil Engineering apprenticeship at college, which was sponsored by my current employer, and that led to the decision to take my education further up to degree level.

This degree apprenticeship gives me a good foundation to be able to progress within my company. My career goal is to become a fully-qualified civil engineer and I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve learnt so far."

Lewis Huston, South East Water, Civil Engineer Degree Apprentice

Sam Greene

Sam’s looking forward to studying again after 12 years out of uni

“I decided to do an apprenticeship after a discussion with my manager about my career development and the path I wanted to go in. My goal is to eventually become a Chief Data Officer and I’m hoping to gain more technical experience through this apprenticeship in order to achieve this. 

It’s been 12 years since I graduated from University, so I’m really looking forward to learning again.”

Sam Greene, Southern Water, Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist (Data Analytics) Masters Degree Apprentice

Mel Owen

Mel’s building on her GCSEs and work experience at degree level

"I decided to do this apprenticeship because it allows me to work and study at the same time. It also means I can apply what I’m learning to real-word scenarios straight away.

I’m looking forward to being able to actively participate in technical conversations in the workplace, having had no formal education past GCSEs."

Mel Owen, Southern Water, Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentice

A misconception still exists that apprenticeships aren’t ‘very academic’ or mainly focus on lower-levels, but there are clear progression routes that can lead right up to degree qualifications.

Apprenticeships are proving to be effective for learners of all ages. The average age of our apprentices at the 91¶¶Òõ is 33, with the total age range spanning 17 – 60 years. The number of apprenticeships offered in digital, environmental and technology roles has increased in recent years, and the University is at the forefront of this trend with Diagnostic Radiographer, Environmental Practitioner and Data Analytics all offered as degree apprenticeships.

Find out more about degree apprenticeships at the 91¶¶Òõ.

Example apprentice progression routes

Level 2 and 3

Intermediate and advanced

apprenticeships/'A' Levels

Level 3 and 4

Higher apprenticeships

HNC/FD

Level 4 and 5

Degree apprenticeships

Technical Occupation Higher Technical Occupation Professional Occupation

Business administrator

  • Departmental manager
  • Senior leader
Healthcare support worker
  • Nursing associate
  • Registered nurse
Digital content administrator
  • Digital community manager/data analyst
  • Digital and technology solutions specialist
Bricklayer
  • Construction site supervisor
  • Construction site manager

There are many different progression routes and occupational mapping through the apprenticeship levels. For example, a Business Administrator (L3) could eventually lead on to our Senior Leader Apprenticeship (L7) or a Teaching Assistant (L3) may start you on a path to our Teacher Apprenticeship (L6).

To find out more about progression routes from technical-level apprenticeships right up to degree-level, please visit the .

If you have a question about apprenticeship programmes and would like to talk with our team, get in touch at apprenticeships@brighton.ac.uk.

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