Learners | Kaplan UK

What is an apprenticeship*?

With an Apprenticeship, you can earn a salary while learning the key skills and behaviours you need to advance in your career. You’ll develop practical experience on the job, while simultaneously studying for a professional qualification.

Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers anymore, if you’re aged 16 or over, you can progress your career with an Apprenticeship in a variety of industries. You can start with an Intermediate Apprenticeship (Levels 2-3), and progress all the way up to a Degree-Level Apprenticeship (Level 6) and a Masters-Level Degree (Level 7)**.

*Please be aware that this information is for England only.
**You will not receive a masters degree upon completion of a Level 7 Apprenticeship

learners-video — Watch our video of Tom talking about his Apprenticeship (1:59)

Benefits of becoming an apprentice

You can now achieve an Apprenticeship equivalent to a master’s degree, and you can choose from sectors like accountancy and finance, Financial Services and risk and compliance. They all provide extensive training, giving you relevant business skills all while you’re earning a salary.

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Earn a salary while you train for a professional qualification

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Choose from a wide range of industries

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Avoid university fees

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Become a valuable asset to an employer

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Progress your career more quickly

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Keep your current contract and role at your employment but use the apprenticeship to develop your skills and career

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

Each apprenticeship is different so they vary in length. An apprenticeship can take between one and four years to complete, depending on the level of the programme.

12 - 48 months

For example, a Level 3 Apprenticeship can take around 18 months, whilst a Level 7 Apprenticeship can take over 3 years to complete.

Can I do an Apprenticeship?

There are very few limiting factors now in being eligible for an Apprenticeship.

There are no age limitations and you can also be a graduate. The only limiting factor is that you have not already studied what is in your Apprenticeship*.

If you already have a role and would like to do an apprenticeship, you also need to make sure that you work in a relevant job role. If you wish to do the Insurance Practitioner Standard, you could not work in IT, you must work in an insurance role in order to be able to gain and show your competence.

You may be a school leaver or a recent graduate and there are various schemes across multiple industries to help you find your first role and Apprenticeship.

*Please note you are not able to complete an Apprenticeship if you have already obtained a qualification in the same subject area, at the same level. So for example if you have a Degree in Accountancy (equivalent to a Level 6), you can’t complete an Accountancy Apprenticeship at Levels 2-6).

School leavers › Career changers ›

How does it work?

Every Apprenticeship, regardless of sector or level, is now designed around a specific job role. For that job role, employers have determined what are the key Knowledge areas employees need to know and the key Skills and Behaviours employees need to demonstrate to prove they are competent in that role. These Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours are then listed and described in what’s called an Apprenticeship ‘standard’.

Essentially, whilst you are on the Apprenticeship you are working to learn the knowledge (usually through completion of a professional qualification) and develop and demonstrate the skills and behaviours (through workshops, 1-2-1s, e-learning and been shown new skills in the workplace).

At the end of the Apprenticeship, you must then demonstrate everything you’ve learned in an End Point Assessment, which will be independently assessed. This then gives you and your employer the confidence that you have met the standard required for that particular job role and help to progress your career.

View our guide for parents and career advisors ›

Why Kaplan?

We offer a large choice of Apprenticeships in Accountancy and Tax, Financial Services and Financial Markets.

Here are some of the reasons you should choose us as your training provider:

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15+ years

We’ve delivered Apprenticeship programmes for over 15 years.

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200 qualified experts. 7,000 apprentices

Our top team of 200 qualified and expert tutors are currently training over 7,000 apprentices each year.

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Talent coaches

You’ll have access to a Talent Coach who will support you throughout your programme, making sure you’re progressing as you should be.

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Award winning

We've been awarded the AAT Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2015, 2016 and 2017.

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Interactive workshops

Our higher level programmes also include interactive, skills-based development workshops led by our expert Leadership and Development team.

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75 FTSE 100 companies

75 of the FTSE top 100 companies have used us to train their staff.

You can choose between our flexible learning options to study for your Apprenticeship, which depending on the programme chosen include Classroom, OnDemand and Live Online.

Where available, you can even mix and match the study methods across different units to suit your lifestyle.

Getting you the right apprenticeship...

We want to make sure that an apprenticeship is right for you and your future career. To make sure that you're on the right track we've created a process to help us to build a picture of your current ability and understanding, and to plan the right Apprenticeship programme for you. You'll simply be asked to complete a short questionnaire, which we would like you to complete honestly, giving as much information as you can. All answers are for our use only and won't be shared with your employer.

How much will I get paid?

Apprentices are entitled to get paid at least the National Minimum Wage. Currently the National Minimum Wage for apprentices is £3.90 an hour. Your employer may well pay you more than this, but you should not get any less.

at least £3.90 per hour

What qualifications will I gain?

The qualification depends on the apprenticeship you undertake, but you could gain an AAT, CIMA, ACA, Chartered Banker or ACCA qualification.

How can I study?

We offer four different study methods*: Classroom, Live Online, OnDemand and Distance Learning. They have been designed to be as structured or as flexible as you would like.

*This full range of options is not available for every programme we offer. As a minimum all of our programmes include e-learning study with tutor support.

Classroom

Face-to-face learning at one of our local Kaplan training centres, taught by expert tutors on a weekday, weekend or evening. The most structured way to learn.

Live Online

The nearest thing to sitting in a classroom. Join timetabled live lectures online and post questions for live tutor feedback. Gives you structure with the option to watch recorded lectures in your own time.

OnDemand**

Study when it suits you with an efficient tutor-led online course using resources designed specifically to keep you motivated and engaged. Combines structure and flexibility.

**Currently only available for AAT, CIMA and ACCA

Distance Learning

Study with printed and online materials for you to work through at your own pace, with tutor support available when you need it.

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Apprenticeships for learners

What is an apprenticeship*?

Benefits of becoming an apprentice

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

Can I do an Apprenticeship?

How does it work?