University gets funding boost for degree apprenticeships

The University of Gloucestershire has been awarded £240,000 to develop new degree apprenticeships.

This funding is a result of a successful bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and means that the University is able to extend further its expanding portfolio of higher and degree apprenticeships, particularly in Health and Care, and Science and Technology (STEM).

Designed by employers, universities and professional bodies, degree apprenticeships deliver high level skills and offer an alternative to a traditional degree course. Bringing together university study with paid work, degree apprentices spend part of their time at university and part with their employer.

The university’s new degree apprenticeships will be in four areas: Nursing, Cyber Security, the Internet of Things and Cyber Systems, and Product Design. Teaching will begin from September 2017. They will extend the University’s existing range of higher apprenticeships in Health (Assistant Practitioner), Care Leadership, Information Security and Leadership and Management.

The University of Gloucestershire has a longstanding commitment to working with employers to tackle skills gaps in both the county and the region as a whole. The new apprenticeships represent the latest progression of this work, with public and private sector organisations being closely involved in their development.

Stephen Marston, Vice Chancellor, said: “Over the years we have developed strong relationships with local employers in both the private and the public sector. Degree apprenticeships provide a good way of enabling students to gain new qualifications that develop their careers, and employers to recruit people with the skills and capabilities they need. We are delighted to have been awarded this funding by HEFCE, which will enable us to move faster in developing our portfolio of degree apprenticeships, particularly in advanced technology areas facing skills shortages”.

Find out more about higher and degree apprenticeships at the University of Gloucestershire.