Apprenticeships vs. Traditional Degrees

Peaches James
May 9
3 min read

Updated: May 20

Some people always knew they were going to uni.

Some of us were pushed into it.

Some of us couldn’t afford to.

Some of us made it to graduation — and still don’t know if it was worth it.

This chapter isn’t here to bash degrees or hype apprenticeships.

It’s here to help you make a choice that works for your life — your goals, your energy and your budget.

Because for some jobs, a degree is still the only way in.

But for others?

You might be able to learn while earning — without the debt hangover.

What’s a Traditional Degree?

A university degree usually takes 3–4 years, involves academic essays, lectures and some exams.

[We will get into vocational degrees later, which often don't require exams during the course of the degree}

You’ll often need A-levels or access qualifications to get in.

Pros:

Required for some careers (teaching, nursing, law, medicine, psychology)
Academic learning that can build confidence or open doors
Chance to explore new ideas, people and places
Some offer work placements, networking or year-in-industry options

Cons:

Expensive: tuition fees, rent, travel, materials
Some courses are very exam-heavy or theory-based
Can lead to burnout, especially without good support
Not all degrees lead directly to jobs

Who it is good for: People who want a structured learning path, access to academic fields or a career that requires a degree.

What’s an Apprenticeship Degree?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where you learn while working.

You split your time between doing the job and studying.

You don’t pay tuition fees — you get paid instead.

Pros:

Earn while you learn
Training is hands-on, in the real world
No student debt
Many lead directly into a full-time role
Increasingly respected in fields like tech, marketing, finance and health

Cons:

Competitive to get into (especially at higher levels)
You might need to travel for the work part
The job may not leave you much brain space for side learning
Lower pay at first — but it’s still pay

Who it’s good for: People who want practical experience, hate sitting still in a classroom or want to avoid debt but still build career pathways.

Vocational Degrees Exist Too

Not every degree is all books and lectures.

There are vocational or work-based degrees, foundation years and creative diplomas that don’t rely on exams — and may suit ADHD, dyslexia or people who’ve struggled in school.

They’re popular in fields like:

Creative arts
Childcare and education
Health and social care
Construction, beauty, and design
Tech and IT

Pros:

Focuses on practical, real-world skills
Often assessed through coursework, portfolios or projects
Usually includes placements or hands-on training
Can sometimes be topped up to a full degree later
Can suit ADHD, dyslexia or anyone who struggled with traditional school

Cons:

Still costs money (though often less than full uni degrees)
Not always recognised in the same way as an academic degree in some fields
May require you to be on-site for placement hours

Ask:

Is there coursework instead of exams?
Are there placement or portfolio-based routes?
Can I study part-time or remotely?

This could be your middle ground.

Not as hands-on as an apprenticeship, not as exam-heavy as a traditional degree.

If full-time study feels overwhelming or apprenticeship options aren’t available in your area a vocational path might give you the mix of structure, flexibility and support you need.

Choose the route that suits your goals, your rhythm and your support needs, not just the one that looks good on paper.

So Which One Is Right for Me?

If a formal education is something you would like to pursue but you cannot decide whether a traditional, vocational or apprenticeship degree is for you, then the comparison table below may help.

Feature	Traditional Degree	Vocational Degree	Apprenticeship
Cost	High (tuition + living expenses)	High (but sometimes shorter/with bursary options)	Free (you’re paid to learn)
Learning Style	Academic, theory-heavy, often exams	Practical, skills-focused, less exam-based	100% practical, work-based learning
Time Commitment	3–4 years full-time	1–3 years depending on course	1–5 years depending on level
Earnings While Studying	No	Rarely	Yes
Entry Requirements	A-levels or access qualifications usually needed	Often more flexible or specific to course	Often lower barrier (GCSEs or relevant work experience)
Leads to Qualification?	Yes (Bachelor’s degree)	Yes (often includes a diploma or degree-level cert)	Yes (NVQ, diploma, or even degree)
Real-World Experience	Sometimes (via placements or year-in-industry)	Usually includes work placements or project-based learning	Yes — you’re learning in the actual job