Bournemouth University announces new degree apprenticeships to boost skills in the region

BU has received £465,000 from the Office for Students (OfS) to create five new degree apprenticeship courses in Digital Marketing, Accounting Finance Management, Biomedical Science, Social Work and Midwifery.

The courses are due to begin in September 2025 with applications opening early next year. The tuition fees for the successful apprentices will be funded through the apprenticeships levy.

This is the second time this year that BU has received funding from the OfS for degree apprenticeships, after two new courses were announced in January. The new apprenticeships also follow the announcement that the OfS rated BU as an outstanding provider in July.

"We want to be the region's degree apprenticeship provider of choice, strengthening the local workforce and meeting national challenges caused by skills gaps," said Professor Philip Sewell, Director of Apprenticeships and Skills at BU. "This funding represents the scale of ambition we have as a university to deliver apprenticeships that meet the region's needs," he added.

The new courses will add to the five existing courses BU offer which are currently helping over 400 apprentices study for a degree whilst they work.

BU will also use the OfS funding to address inequality of opportunity in the region by holding workshops for underrepresented groups interested in degree apprenticeships, giving them tips on what makes a good application.

"This will include afterschool and evening sessions to help young people find and apply for relevant roles," explained Professor Sewell. "We will also create resources for schools and put on webinars to help parents and carers learn more about degree apprenticeships and how they can support and conduct mock interviews."

Information for employers interested in partnering with BU on degree apprenticeships at BU can be found here.

Anyone interested in applying for a degree apprenticeship can find more information here.