The Office for Students (OfS) has today confirmed a second wave
of investment of £14 million to increase the number of Level 6
degree apprenticeships in England.
This is the result of the second round of a competitive bidding
process as part of the OfS’s £40 million degree apprenticeships
fund, following the first wave
announced in January 2024. It will provide support for
151 Level 6 degree apprenticeship programmes at 32 universities
and colleges.
The funding will be used to:
- Expand provision at those providers already offering Level 6
degree apprenticeships
- Enable some providers to offer Level 6 degree apprenticeships
for the first time
- Increase the number of students on Level 6 degree
apprenticeships
- Increase equality of opportunity for students into and during
Level 6 degree apprenticeships.
Projects or programmes of work that will receive funding
include:
- Weston College of Further and Higher Education / University
Centre Weston has received £1,185,375 to promote and grow degree
apprenticeships as a response to local employment needs in
health, creative, digital and engineering sectors. Funding will
be used to recruit specialist staff to ensure high quality
programmes are developed and delivered in partnership with
employers, accompanied by additional support to ensure students
from underrepresented groups are engaged and supported to pursue
degree apprenticeships.
- The University of Derby has received £1,234,378 to develop
its strategy of industrial engagement in Derbyshire and
Nottinghamshire. This funding will support the delivery of new
degree apprenticeships in health and social care, facilitate
continuing engagement with potential apprentices and employers,
and raise aspirations of those living in the region.
- Reaseheath College has received £132,854 to enable it to
provide degree apprenticeships for the first time, for two
programmes: Food Industry Technical Professional, and
Environmental Practitioner.
- Sheffield Hallam University has received £770,032 for a
business-facing project to drive recruitment to six existing
degree apprenticeships and deliver the co-design, launch and
recruitment to new Apprenticeship Standards in Registered Nurse
and Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist. The project
includes proposals to improve information to applicants through
regional partnerships, with an emphasis on widening participation
and community outreach, and will leverage existing employer
relationships, engage new organisations and benefit employers in
the region. All employers will be given enhanced support to
upskill their workforce and recruit new talent.
John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the
OfS, said:
‘With this second round of bids, we were looking for universities
and colleges to not only describe how OfS funding would expand
their degree apprenticeships student numbers and course
provision, but also to further demonstrate how they would
prioritise recruiting and supporting students from all
backgrounds to succeed. I’m pleased to say that all the
successful bids have risen to this challenge.
‘We know that degree apprenticeships are so important as a route
for students looking to engage in higher education in less
traditional ways, and the benefits they bring to local and
regional economies, which is why are investing up to £40 million
over the next two academic years to increase the range and
availability of these programmes. We have been inspired by the
ambitious and forward-looking plans we have received, and I look
forward to seeing how this funding can make a real difference to
students and our future workforce over the next year and
beyond.’
ENDS
Notes
- The Office for Students is the independent regulator for
higher education in England. Our aim is to ensure that every
student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience
of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
- The OfS received 66 bids from universities and colleges for
this funding round. The OfS will provide a total of £14 million
to fund projects at 32 universities and colleges. Read the full
list of higher education providers that will receive wave two
funding.
-
Read the guidance for higher
education providers. A third and final wave of the
degree apprenticeships funding competition will launch later in
2024.
-
Read more about the
competitive funding exercise for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
