Posted 16 January 2026

Higher Education (HE) Apprenticeships are the best way to get hands-on experience whilst you study. They are available at three levels (levels 4, 5 and 6). Level 4 apprenticeships are equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Level 5 and 6 apprenticeships are equivalent to a foundation degree, or a Higher National Diploma (HND). To be eligible for a higher apprenticeship, you need to be aged 16 or over, living in England, and not in full-time education.  

While HE Apprenticeships give students the experience and the qualifications to succeed, it’s important to remember that it’s a real job. You must get to work on time, and you’ll have more responsibility than just studying alone. However, having a real job also means that you’re a real employee – you’ll be paid a salary and get holiday allowance and sick pay. You won’t have to pay any study costs as they’re co-funded by your employer and the Government, so you’ll be earning while you’re learning.  

Our college, LCB (Leeds College of Building), has recently been awarded CTEC (‘construction technical excellence colleges’) status and we are the 2025 Construction Apprenticeship Awards ‘Construction Apprenticeship College / University of the Year’. At LCB we believe that HE Apprenticeships are crucial to the future of our industry. They bridge the gap between education and practice and nurture the highly skilled talent our sector depends on.  

Just last year we held our first graduation event for our Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprentices, where our students were able to celebrate their success. One of our graduates Rhys Stone had just accepted a job in Australia off the back of his new qualification. Speaking with us after the ceremony, Rhys said that the mix of hands-on work experience as well as studying was the perfect way to learn for him. When asked if he would recommend a HE Apprenticeship his answer was an unequivocal yes – “It’s hard work but it’s paid off and now I’m going to Perth for a year. With HE Apprenticeships the world is your oyster!” 

A lot of HE Apprenticeship graduates stay with the same company they did their apprenticeships with, too. They’re exactly what employers want to see on someone’s CV as they’re instant proof of real word work experience. So, whether you want to get a foot on the ladder and work your way up in a company you love or if you want to use it as a step to travel the world with your industry of choice – the possibilities are endless with HE Apprenticeships.  

 

Nathan Lyttle, LCB (Leeds College of Building) Communications and Campaigns Officer