A degree apprenticeship combines vocational work-based learning with study for a university degree. Designed in partnership with employers, degree apprenticeships offer a higher education qualification, a salary, and invaluable practical experience and employment skills.
Successful completion of a Dietetic degree apprenticeship programme will enable application to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration to practise using the protected title ‘Dietitian’.
What are the benefits of a degree apprenticeship?
- a cost-free degree with tuition fees paid by your employer and the government
- a fast track to a great career and earning potential
- a recognised qualification
- a salary
- work-based skills prized by employers
- support and investment from an employer
Who is eligible for a degree apprenticeship?
A degree apprenticeship is open to anyone who’s in employment, whether you’re a new recruit or an existing employee. You have to be 16 or over to be eligible for an apprenticeship, but there is no age limit.
You need to be supported by your employer. The BDA does not hold a list of employers who take on apprentices.
Employers may offer new jobs out to advert as an apprenticeship. In this case there would be a competitive recruitment process and roles would be advertised on NHS Jobs.
What are the typical entry requirements?
The entry requirements vary depending on the individual degree apprenticeship and details can be found on the individual university course pages.
The typical minimal entry requirements are:
- At least 5 GCSEs grades A-C
- Level 3 qualifications including A level, NVQ Level 3 or BTEC National
Some employers will expect applicants to have qualifications relating to their chosen sector along with some experience.
How is a degree apprenticeship taught?
Apprenticeships require on-the-job training combined with academic learning. Each programme has a mixture of learning through campus days, online sessions and workplace visits with 1,000 hours of Practice-based Learning (placement).
What dietetic degree apprenticeship courses are currently available?
Linked Level 6 University award: BSc (Hons) Dietetics - Dietetics (Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons) course | Teesside University
Level 6 Dietetic Degree Apprenticeship - BSc (Hons) Dietetics (Degree Apprenticeship) Sheffield Hallam University
Level 7 (integrated degree) Msc Dietitian - Dietitian (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education at Coventry University
Level 7 (integrated degree) MSc Dietitian - AEEC (Bournmouth) MSc Dietetics (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) | Health Sciences University (hsu.ac.uk)
Other dietetic apprenticeships at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are in development and the BDA webpage will be updated as soon as more information on these apprenticeship schemes becomes available.
For apprenticeships linked to professional statutory registration, you should find out from individual HEIs if your qualifications meet entry criteria.
I’m interested in pursuing a dietetic degree apprenticeship. What should I do now?
Start by having a discussion with your line manager explaining how you believe undertaking an apprenticeship will support you to bring:
- additional skills to the service
- benefits to patients
- benefits to your service
- Seek their approval and support to undertake an apprenticeship
Join the growing BDA student community
If you’re studying a pre-registration dietetic degree apprenticeship you can join the BDA as an Associate Student member and get all the benefits of BDA student membership plus added insurance protection and employment support.
Find out more about eligability and joining as an Associate Student member.
Employers & Higher Education Institution information
What are the benefits of a degree apprenticeship for an employer?
- attract and retain top talent
- demonstrate your commitment to staff investment
- enhance and develop your workforce
- fill higher-level skill gaps
- grow your business
- improve business performance
- increase productivity
- receive government funding and use your levy payments to pay for course fees.
Choosing apprentices
Your apprentices can be existing team members or new recruits. The choice is yours.
You must employ the apprentice for a minimum of 30 hours a week, and you are expected to provide support and guidance to your apprentice whilst paying them an appropriate training salary throughout the duration of their study. Starting salaries vary depending on the sector and individual levels of experience.
How much do they cost and what funding is available?
If you’re an employer who pays the apprenticeship levy with bills over £3m training costs will be covered by the levy funds in your digital account.
Non-levy payers have access to the co-investment model with government funding available for up to 95% of the cost.
Find out more about government funding here
Interested employers can visit the government website for information on how to register.
HEIs and employers in England who want to learn more about the roles required to deliver apprenticeships can read BDA's recently published guidance: BDA guidance for employers and higher education institutes on the dietetic degree apprenticeship.
Other useful links
England apprenticeship standards can be searched here.
In England you can search for apprenticeship providers in your area at Health Apprenticeship Standards Online search for a course then search for a local provider.
In Wales you can search for a centre here.
In Scotland you can search the apprenticeships.scot webpages to find educational and apprenticeship provider.