Higher and degree apprenticeships at Kingston University

Degree apprenticeships programmes started at Kingston University in 2017. Kingston University's strong focus on teaching excellence and industry focused learning prepare apprentices to develop the professional competences for enhanced employability and progression.

The number of our apprenticeship programmes have been steadily increasing year on year and we are committed to developing more programmes in line with workforce needs in the country within different sectors.

European Social Fund

Apprenticeships are funded by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) through a levy and where employers do not pay into the levy, funding may be received from European Social Fund (ESF) match project.

Information for employers

View information for employers

Information for employees

View information for employees

Higher and degree apprenticeship programmes

View apprenticeship programmes

Covid-19 guidance for apprentices

Government redundancy support service for apprentices

The UK government's Department for Education has launched a new online and telephone support service for apprentices who have been, or who are at risk of being, made redundant during the Covid-19 outbreak. The service has three key elements: advice and guidance, signposting to additional support and a vacancy sharing service.

The service includes access to a dedicated telephone helpline offering apprentices free advice. Apprentices can search new employment opportunities and access local and national services offering financial, health and wellbeing, legal and careers support.

The vacancy sharing service allows employers to register opportunities that might be suitable for apprentices who are out of work.

Get help from the Government apprenticeship service:

Covid-19 Q&A for apprentices and employers

Kingston University is committed to supporting apprentices and employers. During this challenging time, we are offering support to our apprentices and sponsoring employers to ensure that, wherever possible, current apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeship despite any break they have to take as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If I am made redundant what happens to my apprenticeship?

Please get in touch with the University's apprenticeship team if you are at risk of redundancy or have been made redundant. Depending on your circumstances, your apprenticeship training may be able to continue. The University will make every effort to find a suitable alternative employer for you.

Telephone: 020 8417 5492
Email: degreeapprenticeships@kingston.ac.uk.

Please also note the newly revised Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding rules (published on Thursday 30 July 2020). This guidance sets out the provision for apprentices who are made redundant so that wherever possible, they can continue their apprenticeship and proceed to End Point Assessment (EPA).

Apprentice circumstances	ESFA Funding support
Apprentice is within six months of the final day of training	ESFA will fund 100% of the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer, up to the funding band maximum. Within this six-month period: If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs.
Apprentice is between six months and 12 months of the final day of training	ESFA will fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer, for a maximum of 12 weeks. Within this 12-week period: If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs for up to 12 weeks If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the apprentice is withdrawn from the programme but can return to the same apprenticeship at a later date, without the need to satisfy the 12-month minimum duration rule.
Apprentice is more than 12 months away from the final day of training	ESFA will fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer for a maximum of 12 weeks. Within this 12-week period: If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs for up to 12 weeks If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the apprentice is withdrawn from the programme. If they return at a later date to the same apprenticeship, they would need to satisfy the 12-month minimum duration rule.

Apprentice circumstances

ESFA Funding support

Apprentice is within six months of the final day of training

ESFA will fund 100% of the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer, up to the funding band maximum.

Within this six-month period:

If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point
If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs.

Apprentice is between six months and 12 months of the final day of training

ESFA will fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer, for a maximum of 12 weeks.

Within this 12-week period:

If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point
If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs for up to 12 weeks
If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the apprentice is withdrawn from the programme but can return to the same apprenticeship at a later date, without the need to satisfy the 12-month minimum duration rule.

Apprentice is more than 12 months away from the final day of training

ESFA will fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the previous employer for a maximum of 12 weeks.

Within this 12-week period:

If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits from that point
If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs for up to 12 weeks
If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the apprentice is withdrawn from the programme. If they return at a later date to the same apprenticeship, they would need to satisfy the 12-month minimum duration rule.

What happens if my apprenticeship EPA is imminent?

We are working closely with the End-Point-Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) in search for greater flexibility for apprentices wherever possible; e.g. conducting assessment remotely, practical schedule of EPA etc.

In the meantime, apprentices can still continue with preparations for meeting gateway requirements and get confirmation on readiness to take EPA from your line manager/ workplace mentor/ employer. It is important to note that the ESFA would consider awarding the apprenticeship without the EPA at the current time.

What opportunities are there to continue with my apprenticeship?

Some employers are hiring apprentices who have made redundant during this pandemic. Where this is possible, you are able to continue to earn while learning valuable skills. If you have been made redundant, or believe you are at risk of being made redundant in the future, you can use new Vacancy Sharing Service which is part of the new Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices.

Will tri-partite progress review meetings still go ahead?

Tri-partite progress reviews are already being delivered using a blend of face-to-face and virtual meetings. These meetings will be held virtually for some time, although our campus is open with measures in place to ensure everyone's safety. Your Personal Tutor will contact you to organise your progress review meeting.

How will Kingston University approach the new academic year?

Your learning will be enhanced with a digital provision, giving a blended approach to your time at Kingston University. You will continue to get personal support from your lecturers, and benefit from the University's support services, such as finance, healthcare and faith services.

We want to ensure that you have a supportive, inclusive and high-quality learning experience that Kingston is proud to deliver and we are putting a number of measures in place to provide you with this. The whole University is focused on making sure you receive an excellent education and a fulfilling experience.

Visit our Covid-19 information and guidance section to view the latest updates for Kingston University students, staff and visitors.

You may also find the useful links and resources listed on our website helpful in answering any questions or concerns you may have. You can also get in touch with us on:

KU Apprenticeships Team: degreeapprenticeships@kingston.ac.uk or 020 8417 5492
Apprenticeship Course Leader
Faculty Student/ Degree Apprenticeship Officer

Contact us

For more information please contact our apprenticeships team.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8417 5492

Email: degreeapprenticeships@kingston.ac.uk

If you are an employer, please complete our enquiry form and a member of the apprenticeships team will contact you within three working days.