What is a Level 3 Apprenticeship?

How do they work?

A Level 3 apprenticeship lasts between 18 and 24 months, and you’ll split your time between a full-time job and studying. You’ll usually work for around 30 hours a week (including study time) and depending on your employer, you’ll either study in-house or off-site at a college or training centre.

You'll earn a salary and get the same in-work benefits as any other employee.

Your day-to-day depends on the industry you go into, but it can change from one day to the next. You might be sat in client meetings one day, then getting into the technical side the next.

Meet Rhyon, an apprentice at the BBC. Here’s what his day looks like:

What is a Level 3 apprenticeship equivalent to?

When you’ve completed your programme, you’ll finish with two A-Level passes. Already have A-Levels? You can still do a Level 3 apprenticeship, as long as it’s teaching you something new.

Did you know that 90% of apprentices are offered a permanent role either during their apprenticeship or once they’re finished? Apprenticeships are great because they give you a real chance at getting the skills and experience employers want, making you super employable.

Can I go to university after completing a Level 3 apprenticeship?

You can! A Level 3 apprenticeship is equivalent to A-Levels and UCAS points, which are enough to get you onto a university course (always check the entry requirements). How many points you get depends on how long your apprenticeship lasts for. It’s worth checking out UCAS for a breakdown.

If you’re looking for an alternative to uni, an apprenticeship is it. Higher and degree apprenticeships give you all the perks of having a degree, except you don’t pay any tuition fees, so there’s no student debt. You also get five-plus years of work experience.

What GCSEs do you need for a Level 3 apprenticeship?

If you want to do a Level 3 apprenticeship, you’ll need to:

• Be 16 and over

• Not in full-time education.

You’ll need five GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A* to C) or have completed a Level 2 apprenticeship. If you don’t already have GCSEs in maths or English, you’ll work towards a functional skills qualification during your apprenticeship.

Didn’t get the grades you need? You can still do an apprenticeship. A Level 2 will be a great place to start, then you can move on to a Level 3. You could also do a T-Level foundation year.

An apprenticeship is all about gaining skills. That doesn’t mean that you don’t already have some of the skills employers want. Captain of a sports team? Leadership skills. Damn good at chess? Attention to detail skills right there.

Not sure what skills you need? We break it down.

If you’re not sure an apprenticeship is right for you, you could do a T-Level instead. It’s a two-year qualification, equal to three A-Levels, with a built-in work placement.

Do you get paid for a level 3 apprenticeship?

Yup! An apprenticeship is a real full-time job, so you’ll be paid for the work you do. How much you earn depends on your employer, the apprenticeship level and your location. So it’s 200% worth having a look around.

Every apprentice gets paid the current National Apprenticeship Wage, but loads of employers pay way above this. 

According to our apprentice-written job reviews, the average salary for a Level 3 apprentice is around £21,200 per year.

You could also earn more depending on the industry you’re in. Want to find out more? We break it down below:

Which companies offer Level 3 apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are super popular. 308,770 people started a Level 3 apprenticeship this year.

A lot of the UK’s biggest companies are looking for talented school leavers and beyond to join their ranks early. You are spoilt for choice, with opportunities available at companies across a wide range of industries. Including:

• Agriculture and animal care

• Arts and media

• Business administration 

• Law

• Construction

• Education

• Engineering

• Retail

• Health and public services

• IT and digital

• Travel and tourism.

Want to know about the best places to work? Check out our Top Apprenticeship Employers, in conjunction with the Department for Education. We ask apprentices what they think of their work experience; they leave reviews, and we get the Top 100.

What our student community says

Don't just take our word for it. We host over 50,000 reviews from real apprentices who've shared their honest experiences.

We have lots more! Click below to explore our reviews:

How to apply for a Level 3 apprenticeship

For loads of you, this is probably your first time applying for a job. It’s nerve-wracking, but we have your back every single step of the way. Here’s how the process usually goes:

Application form → CV and cover letter → Psychometric tests → Face-to-face interview or video interview → Assessment centre → APPRENTICESHIP STARTS

We have so much application advice, resources and tips to help you absolutely boss the application process; from writing a standout CV to acing your interviews with confidence. Here are some of the best places to get started: