Degree Apprenticeships help employers attract and retain high-calibre employees and graduates offering life-long learning to develop the skills and attributes needed for their organisation. The University can support employers to find the right programme and apprentices are taught by academics who are specialists in their field in a teaching through research environment.  Schools should refer to the University Policy, Procedure and Guidance for Degree and Higher Apprenticeship Programmes when considering developing a degree apprenticeship

Further details about the various policies and guidance around Degree Apprenticeships can be found on the left hand side of this page.

For more information about Degree Apprenticeships, contact teaching-policy@manchester.ac.uk.

Strategic oversight and development of degree apprenticeships lies with the University Degree Apprenticeship Strategy Group, chaired by the Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students with final approval devolved down to schools and faculties.

A set of resources and documentation has been made available for staff to guide them through the approval process for a degree apprenticeship.

• Process for Development and Approval of Degree Apprenticeships
• Degree Apprenticeship Programme Approval Form (additional cover sheet required for Degree Apprenticeship Approval)
• Guidance for the introduction of Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programmes
• Guidance for the introduction of Non-Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programmes

Schools and Faculties should refer to the following operational guidance when managing degree apprenticeship programmes:

• Application of Recognition of Prior Learning for Apprenticeship Programmes
• Guidance for Recording Off the Job Training in Apprenticeships
• Procedure on Break in Learning for Apprentices
• Guidance on Supporting Apprentices in Redundancy
• Guidance for Managing Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave in Apprenticeship Programmes
• Policy for Delivery Subcontracting 
• Guidance for Managing Non Engagement of Apprentices
• Guidance for Managing Apprentice Assessments for Additional Learner Support

Internal Quality Assurance

Degree Apprenticeship programmes are subject to the same internal monitoring and review institutional quality assurance mechanisms as standard University programmes and Schools and Faculties should continue to adhere to the Quality Framework and policies and procedures overseen by the Taught Programme Enhancement team in Teaching and Learning Delivery.

External Quality Assurance

In April 2021, Ofsted were appointed as the external quality assurance inspectorate for apprenticeship training provision at Levels 6 and 7, which incorporates degree apprenticeships. Ofsted have been appointed to inspect the quality of the apprenticeship provision only, with QAA frameworks retaining responsibility for the academic content.

More information on the role of Ofsted can be found via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Additionally, all apprenticeship provision is subject to scrutiny via the ESFA to ensure that compliance to the ESFA funding rules is being met.

Safeguarding

The university takes its responsibility to ensure the safety of its apprentices seriously and is committed to providing a safe environment for all staff, students and apprentices. This includes ensuring that appropriate processes and procedures are in place and a safeguarding team available when necessary. 

More information as the University's Safeguarding responsibilities can be found via the Compliance and Risk Office.

Prevent

Additionally as part of the Counter Terrorism Act 2015, the University has a responsibility to pay 'due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism', known as the Prevent Duty.

All staff working with apprentices are required to undergo the university's mandatory Prevent Training and additional resources are also available to both staff, employers and apprentices.

Staff should refer to the Keeping Apprentices Safe guidance documentation for more information.
(NB: this is guidance only.  For the actual University’s Safeguarding Policy please go to the link within this guidance.)

British Values

The Department for Education have reinforced the need ‘to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs’ as part of the Prevent Duty. 

The University of Manchester is committed to upholding these values for its students and apprentices both throughout their studies and within their teaching, but also as part of their overall experience as an apprentice. This should be demonstrated through:

• development of a diverse curriculum and teaching methods including seminars and workshops to allow reflection and voicing of ideas
• reference to the Student Charter
• ensuring that the university bullying and harassment policies and procedures are promoted and adhered to
• that Student Wellbeing and Support policies, procedures and resources, including the counselling service and a wealth of mental health support services are made widely available and promoted
• Disciplinary and IT policies and procedures are made clear and effectively communicated
• Students Union and Alumni membership is made widely available to apprentices