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Original poster

I've been offered an Apprenticeship but didn't tell them I have a degree! Will they found out?!

119 replies

ApprenticeMess · 15/09/2019 09:53

I applied for an apprenticeship job. I went to the interview and they asked me if I had a degree/ what my highest qualification was . I lied and said I didn't have a degree. I don't know why I said no. I usually always leave it out of application forms and never mention it. I am so ashamed of it.

Now I'm worried that my new employer will find out that I do.have a degree and it will affect the funding of the apprenticeship.

Does anyone know anything about how these things work. Will they find out somehow when they do "checks" or something?

I really regret not saying and if I now tell them I do have a degree they will think I'm bloody weird and a liar!

OP posts:
NeverTwerkNaked · 15/09/2019 09:56

Why did you say no?

I would confess now. It may affect their funding.

Bobbiepin · 15/09/2019 09:57

Why are you ashamed of your degree?

NeverTwerkNaked · 15/09/2019 09:57

Why are you ashamed of your degree?

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WhoKnewBeefStew · 15/09/2019 10:00

I'm trying to think how you could tell them you've got a degree but I'm not sure if there is any way out, without looking a bit of a tit.

I think you either keep it quiet as it's unlikely they will find out. If they do stuff like a dba or security check your qualifications don't appear in those. Or you come clean.

Whynotnowbaby · 15/09/2019 10:00

What is your degree in that it makes you ashamed? I didn’t think there were degrees in porn star studies. In your position I would contact them, apologise and tell them you were confused and thought they were asking about relevant education rather than all education. Otherwise you will spend the whole time waiting to be “found out”

OverByYer · 15/09/2019 10:02

I think you should tell them especially if you are getting funding on the basis that you don’t have a degree. It’s fraud otherwise

SleepyKat · 15/09/2019 10:03

I don’t think they will find out at all, there’s no national degree register. Just never tell anyone.

Original poster
ApprenticeMess · 15/09/2019 10:03

WhoKnewBeefStew that's what I need to know- will they find out?! Noone is going to tell them but is there a government database thing with people's qualifications that they check on!? I have no idea!

OP posts:
HotChocolateLover · 15/09/2019 10:03

Just say ‘oh sorry, I thought you meant a degree in XXX’ eg the same subject as the apprenticeship.

Pinkdoor · 15/09/2019 10:04

They might not get funding if you've lied and have to pay £15k etc they weren't expecting to. Also I'd fire you and not write you a reference. Apprenticeship qualifications are often arranged so those WITHOUT degrees have different opportunities.

Honestly, WTF why would you lie. outrageous

gamerwidow · 15/09/2019 10:05

What is the degree in? If it's not in the same subject area as the apprenticeship then it doesn't usually matter in terms of funding.
Either way don't lie about it you will never be able to relax if you are constantly worrying about being found out. Just be honest and ask if it matters.

Original poster
ApprenticeMess · 15/09/2019 10:06

The thing is if I do have a degree I can still do my apprenticeship as my degree is in a completely different field and that's enough to receive funding.

OP posts:
gamerwidow · 15/09/2019 10:08

that's what I need to know- will they find out?! Noone is going to tell them but is there a government database thing with people's qualifications that they check on!? I have no idea!
They might find out they might not, but if you are not entitled you will be prosecuted for fraud. Come clean now chances are you will still have job but everything will be above board.

Helpmedecide123 · 15/09/2019 10:09

You can do an apprenticeship with a degree but yes you need to tell them you made a mistake or that is misrepresentation on your part.

Original poster
ApprenticeMess · 15/09/2019 10:09

Pinkdoor apprenticeships are open to everyone WITH or without degrees as long as the subject is unrelated to the Apprenticeship qualification.

OP posts:
GrannySquares · 15/09/2019 10:10

It doesn't matter what area you have your degree in. A degree is a degree. You will not be eligible for funding and will have to fund it yourself. If you are willing to do that, then tell them you have a degree but will fund the apprenticeship yourself. If not, then I'd tell them you're no longer interested in the position if you don't want to be honest or if you don't want them finding out you have lied. They will most likely/eventually find out! Student Finance and other funding organisations liaise with each other. There's no point risking it! Just do the right thing and things will fall into place.

gamerwidow · 15/09/2019 10:11

The thing is if I do have a degree I can still do my apprenticeship as my degree is in a completely different field and that's enough to receive funding.

So just tell them. I recruit apprentices a lot for the NHS once an apprentice has gone through the interview process and been accepted we'll hang on to them if we can even if they come back and say there's been a mistake with bit of information. No-one wants to go through the hassle of recruitment and interviews twice if they don't have to.

procrastinatingtoday · 15/09/2019 10:11

Lying in CV could be instant dismissal in some companies. Either open up (you could try as someone suggested that you thought relevant degree etc) or don't take the job.

gamerwidow · 15/09/2019 10:12

It doesn't matter what area you have your degree in. A degree is a degree. You will not be eligible for funding and will have to fund it yourself.

That's not necessarily true.

NoSquirrels · 15/09/2019 10:14

apprenticeships are open to everyone WITH or without degrees as long as the subject is unrelated to the Apprenticeship qualification.

If you know this then why did you lie? Having a degree won’t go against you - I can’t fathom why you’re ashamed of it.

OverByYer · 15/09/2019 10:20

Fraud by False representation is a criminal offence. If you’ve received funding because you’ve lied about your qualifications you could be in a lot of trouble.
Chances are they won’t find out but you’re going to spend a few years worrying that they will.
If it was me I’d come clean

Tonnerre · 15/09/2019 10:22

I assume OP is ashamed because she has a degree but doesn't have a job and is therefore going for the apprenticeship. I don't actually think there is any way your employers would find out, OP, unless they do so accidentally - universities don't publish that sort of information due to the Data Protection Act.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 15/09/2019 10:27

Having a degree won’t go against you - I can’t fathom why you’re ashamed of it.

That’s not true though. At the sort of level I think the OP is talking about people do turn down candidates because they’re too highly qualified. I assume the OP left hers off for the same reason I started leaving mine off when I was job hunting.

Lulualla · 15/09/2019 10:30

Why are you ashamed of your degree? Why are you hiding It? I really don't understand.
If the apprenticeship was unaffected by your degree then why lie? It just doesn't make any sense.

RushianDisney · 15/09/2019 10:31

They will find out because you will have to declare student debt repayments on your HMRC starter forms. So silly to lie when you apparently know that your degree didn't bar you from getting the apprenticeship.