Degree apprenticeship living 3 hours from home at 18?

[JessicaLL]

Hi our DS is in the fortunate position of having been offered two apprenticeships in IT so has now decided against uni where he was going to study Computer Science. One is a level 4 apprenticeship so not degree level but based in London which is commuting distance so he’d still live at home. The other is a degree apprenticeship but he would be based 3 hours away so would be living away, working full time and studying for a degree for 4 years. He’s really torn. Both were very competitive processes. I’m not influencing his decision at all but am a little worried about the degree apprenticeship in that doing all three - moving out, studying and working full time may be too much. The London company have said that he could progress to do a degree later with them depending on his performance but he’d probably need to finish the level 4 first so in 2/3 years time. Both are huge companies. He does want to eventually get a degree as he’s worried not having one may hold him back. Ideally he’d love a degree apprenticeship in London which he has applied for through a few companies but is still waiting to hear about. But assuming he just gets these two offers then he needs to decide between them. We’re so confused. Does anyone have any advice please? Thanks

This information is incorrect. It’s easy to progress from a level 4 apprenticeship to a degree apprenticeship. Absolutely nothing to do with being unemployed.

It just takes the employer to agree that an employee/apprentice can progress and they have passed their level 4.

I have IT apprentices who do this. 2 years for the level 4 to ease them in and give them a great foundation, then move onto the degree. Pay rises each year as they progress.

They are not students, so not eligible for student loans.

An apprenticeship is a job with training/qualifications. They are employed, with a salary. The qualifications are funded by the employer, either through the levy or a 5% contribution by the employer.

I've had 2 go through uni and then our youngest decided to do a degree apprenticeship (turning down a place at Durham). He is in year 2.

Pros are that he has learned an amazing amount (far more than his friends at uni), he has also proved himself organised and reliable with a good range of soft skills.
Despite self funding his own rented accommodation (with other apprentices) he has managed to save £12k from his earnings.
He has no student debt at all.
He has a job offer post grad with a starting salary of £40k.

Cons? Well he has had to work bloody hard.
Compared to his uni pals he hasn't had the whole "laying in bed all day watching spongebob" experience, but TBH I see this as a good thing.