Image credit: University of Greenwich
We caught up with Dr. Ann-Marie Tupciauskas-Richardson, Outreach Manager (Degree Apprenticeships) in the Outreach and Educational Partnerships Team at the University of Greenwich, to discuss their degree apprenticeship programmes and how they’re supporting students and advisers to navigate this exciting pathway into higher education.
Can you tell us about the degree apprenticeships available at Greenwich?
At Greenwich, we offer degree apprenticeships in three main areas: health, science and engineering, and construction. In health, we have nursing pathways across different specialisms, including adult, child, learning disabilities, mental health, and midwifery. We also offer more specialised areas like speech therapy and physiotherapy. In engineering, the focus is on combining practical engineering skills with science. In construction, we’re looking at managerial roles, including construction management and quantity surveying.
What support do degree apprentices receive during their studies?
We treat our degree apprentices just like any other university student. They can access all the usual university resources, including academic support, library services, and our well-being team. For students with disabilities, we’ve got the STAART team, which offers support—even if the student doesn’t have a formal diagnosis. We’ve also introduced a well-being branch specifically for degree apprentices, to help with the unique challenges of balancing work and study. Whether it’s help with applications, work grants, or revision, we’ve got a full support network to help them succeed.
How do you work with schools and colleges to raise awareness about degree apprenticeships?
We’re passionate about connecting with local schools, especially in Kent and Medway. We focus on working with schools in slightly more disadvantaged areas, helping students and their families understand the benefits of degree apprenticeships. After the pandemic, students are eager to get out there and learn by doing, and parents see this as a great debt-free way to earn a degree while gaining work experience. There’s still some confusion about how degree apprenticeships work, so we spend time clarifying that students need to apply through an employer first, which is often misunderstood.
What challenges do students face, and how does Greenwich address them?
One of the biggest challenges is the need to secure an employer before applying. It can feel daunting, especially when students don’t know where to start. To help, we run workshops on things like employability skills, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews. We also partner with charities like Smart Works to provide interview outfits for students who need them. It’s all about building confidence and helping students navigate the process, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
How do you ensure these opportunities remain inclusive?
We make sure that apprenticeships are financially accessible by ensuring that employers pay a liveable wage. We’re very clear with employers that apprentices need to be able to support themselves while they work and study. We want to remove financial barriers so that talented students don’t miss out on these opportunities.
What advice would you give to teachers and advisers?
Students need to do their research—not just on the apprenticeships themselves, but also on the employers offering them. We recommend being honest with students about the commitment involved. Degree apprenticeships are full-time jobs with 20% of the time spent studying, so it’s a big responsibility. We also suggest that students apply to traditional university courses through UCAS as a backup, as degree apprenticeships can be highly competitive.
What’s next for degree apprenticeships at Greenwich?
This term, we’re focused on engaging employers through webinars, helping them understand the skills that apprentices will develop. Come January, we’ll be inviting students to campus for more hands-on events, and we’re looking forward to delivering some great workshops—especially our myth-busting sessions that clarify things like finances and the application process.
Any final tips for advisers?
Encourage students to keep their options open. We recommend that they apply to UCAS, even if they’re also pursuing degree apprenticeships, just in case. Having that backup plan gives students more confidence and peace of mind when it comes to applications and interviews.
Degree apprenticeships are an innovative way to combine education and employment, and the University of Greenwich is committed to making them a viable option for all students.
For more information, contact the Outreach and Educational Partnerships Team at the University of Greenwich at outreach@gre.ac.uk.