Degree apprenticeship salary UK 2025
How much do degree apprentices earn? Real salary data by employer and sector — including London weighting, pay progression, and comparison with the university route.
£18k–£38k
Salary range across all degree apprenticeships
Finance and technology at top firms at the upper end
£24k
UK average degree apprenticeship salary
Across all sectors and employer types in 2024–25
£0
Tuition fees owed on graduation
Fully funded — no student loan, no debt on completion
Degree apprenticeship salary by sector
Technology (software/data)
£22,000–£38,000
Average: £26,000/yr
Finance / Accounting
£22,000–£34,000
Average: £26,000/yr
Law (solicitor apprenticeships)
£20,000–£30,000
Average: £24,000/yr
Engineering (aerospace/manufacturing)
£20,000–£29,000
Average: £24,000/yr
Consulting
£22,000–£32,000
Average: £26,000/yr
Healthcare / Nursing
£20,000–£30,000
Average: £23,000/yr
Public Sector / Civil Service
£20,000–£27,000
Average: £22,000/yr
Defence
£20,000–£28,000
Average: £23,500/yr
Degree apprenticeship salary by employer
| Employer | Programme | Salary | London? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PwC | Degree Apprenticeship (Audit / Tax / Tech) | £26,000–£32,000 | Yes (included) | Salary increases annually; ACA/ATT fully funded |
| KPMG | School Leaver Degree Apprenticeship | £22,000–£29,000 | Yes (London office higher) | ACA funded; structured annual review |
| Deloitte | BrightStart Degree Apprenticeship | £23,000–£31,000 | Yes (included) | ACA / ACCA funded for relevant programmes |
| EY | School & College Leaver Programme | £22,000–£28,000 | Yes (London office higher) | ACA funded; EY Strengths-based selection |
| Degree Apprenticeship (Tech / Consulting) | £29,000–£38,000 | Yes (London-based) | One of the highest-paying DA programmes in the UK | |
| Accenture | Technology Degree Apprenticeship | £23,000–£30,000 | Yes (London premium) | Annual salary reviews from year 2 |
| IBM | Software Engineering / Data DA | £22,000–£28,000 | Partial (location allowance) | Annual progression; Armonk apprenticeship benefits |
| BT Group | Technology Degree Apprenticeship | £20,000–£27,000 | Yes (London weighting) | Roles across UK — Derby, Birmingham, London |
| Rolls-Royce | Engineering Degree Apprenticeship | £21,000–£28,000 | No (Derby / Bristol based) | Structured pay banding with annual increases |
| BAE Systems | Systems / Software DA | £21,000–£28,000 | No (Lancashire / Hampshire) | Security clearance sponsored by employer |
| NHS | Nursing / Healthcare Science DA | £20,000–£29,000 | Yes (High Cost Area supplement) | Agenda for Change pay bands apply |
| Amazon | Software Engineering DA | £25,000–£35,000 | Yes (London-based roles) | Highly competitive; strong benefits package |
Estimated salary ranges. Actual figures vary by cohort year and programme. Verify with each employer's careers page before applying.
Calculate your own take-home pay
Use the apprenticeship salary calculator to turn any hourly rate into weekly, monthly, and annual figures — and see how it compares to the NMW and the university route.
Open salary calculatorFrequently asked questions
How much do degree apprentices earn in the UK?▾
Degree apprentices (Level 6) typically earn £18,000–£38,000 per year depending on employer, sector, and location. The average is around £22,000–£26,000. Top employers in finance and technology — Google, PwC, Deloitte, Amazon — are at the upper end, often paying £28,000–£38,000.
Do degree apprentices get paid during university days?▾
Yes. The salary is paid for the full week regardless of whether you are in the office or studying at university. The employer covers all costs including tuition fees.
Is a degree apprenticeship salary taxed?▾
Yes — income tax and National Insurance apply in the same way as any employee. The 2024–25 Personal Allowance is £12,570, so first-year apprentices earning under this threshold pay no income tax. Those earning above pay the standard 20% basic rate on income above the allowance.
Do degree apprenticeship salaries increase each year?▾
Most employers have structured annual salary reviews. At the Big Four, for example, salaries typically increase by £1,000–£3,000 each year of the programme. By the final year (year 4 or 5) of a degree apprenticeship, salaries are often comparable to the graduate starting salary at the same employer.
How does a degree apprenticeship salary compare to a graduate salary?▾
During study, a degree apprentice earns £18,000–£35,000/yr while a university student earns nothing. On graduation, the difference narrows — graduate starting salaries in finance and technology are £26,000–£45,000. But the apprentice has 3+ years of experience and no student debt, giving them a significant advantage.
