Business Administration Apprentice Review
at Newcastle University
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
1.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
My role as programme assistant and business apprentice has me doing a range of student-related tasks. This includes attendance monitoring, extenuating-circumstance forms, answering queries, resource management and sending post. I also assist on processing assessments and exams, and planning and organising events and meetings, including minute taking.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
My experience of this programme has been highly varied. My first placement was very difficult due to a lack of specified role, lack of support from the apprenticeship team due to changing skills coaches, and a failure in managerial support, resulting in detriment to both myself and my colleagues. My second placement has been much more positive, with exceptional accommodations from line manager's and supervisors related to my disability, excellent communication and support from a newly appointed skills coach (who was a previous apprentice) and a specified and highly varied workload that I enjoy.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learned various administration skills that will help me throughout my future career, including communication, administrative tasks, confidence and project management.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
This apprenticeship has been highly disorganised at times, with timings of submission unclear and lack of communication a significant issue. The structure has been dramatically different since the appointment of a new and excellent skills coach, but without this change I do believe I would have struggled significantly.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
The employer side of the apprenticeship has been lacking in many cases. I have found myself struggling significantly at times, with no clearly defined support available. Since arriving in my current placement, my situation has improved with help from my immediate colleagues. Newcastle University is a difficult place to work at times, and without strong office relationships I feel I would've struggled both with work and my mental health significantly.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
My skills coach since August 2024 (1 year into my apprenticeship) has been incredible. She is thoughtful, considerate and always available and ready to help as much as she can. However, previous to her joining the University, my time was incredibly difficult with unclear instructions, both regarding submissions as well as over/under complicating teaching (from two different skills coaches). Having 3 skills coaches has made things much more difficult and inconsistent, though overall I am glad I now have my current one as she has helped me greatly.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I believe some areas of my learning have been beneficial. I have learned some practical skills and knowledge that I can use in the workplace. However, I do believe the majority of my learning has come for on-the-job training and help received from co-workers and my supervisor.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
While I have made some excellent friends while in the workplace, there are no specific extra-curriculars to be involved in that I would enjoy.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Newcastle University to a friend?
No
Why?
Newcastle University has been an overall mixed experience for me. I have had significant issues in some areas and highly positive ones in others. However, I do feel that a friend would benefit going elsewhere due to a sometimes toxic workplace culture of mistrust, and the currently ambiguous financial situation.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Newcastle University?
While there is some opportunity for career growth due to the size of the University as an institution, in the current financial and culture situation, I would recommend to other to be cautious when applying.
Executive Assistant to Pro Vice Chancellor, Director and Deputy Director
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
- Newcastle upon Tyne
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