Advanced Apprenticeships Advice

There are different levels of apprenticeships, all offering different qualifications and skills, to people at various stages along their education and career paths: Intermediate Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships, Higher Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships.

Advanced Apprenticeships are the second most popular level of apprenticeship, and they offer a wide range of qualifications. In 2014-15, the highest number of apprenticeship starts was for Intermediate apprenticeships – with 298,300 starts – but that was followed by 181,800 Advanced Apprenticeship starts. Advanced level apprenticeships are getting more popular: the number of Intermediate Apprenticeship starts has doubled since 2002/03, while the number of Advanced Apprenticeship starts has almost tripled.

Advanced Apprenticeships are a step above Intermediate Apprenticeships and generally last between one year and four years, although they can be longer.

Advanced Apprenticeships offer Level 3 Competence Qualifications, Functional Skills and, in most cases, relevant knowledge-based qualifications. Completing an Advanced Apprenticeship is equivalent to gaining two A-level passes. You’ll also gain relevant technical certificates or qualifications (depending on the type of apprenticeship).

Generally, to be eligible for Advanced Apprenticeships you must have either completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship or have a certain number of GCSEs (or equivalent); most employers offering Advanced Apprenticeships will be looking for applicants with at least five GCSEs grades A*-C, although this isn’t always the case.

Advanced Apprenticeships allow apprentices access to a wide range of industries and job roles: auditing, marketing, business administration, civil engineering and events, to name just a few. Once you’ve completed an Advanced Apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to move on to a Higher Apprenticeship.