The University of Northampton is looking to extend its apprenticeships offer for the new academic year.
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Published in association with
NATIONAL Apprenticeship Week has seen a national celebration of the importance and value of this route towards a degree. As part of this, the University of Northampton is announcing seven new apprenticeship programmes to start later this year.
The traditional three-year undergraduate degree does not suit all learners. Apprenticeships offer a viable alternative, combining class-based learning and ‘on the job’, real-world experience through the apprentice’s employer.
The university currently offers apprenticeships in a variety of different sectors, such as engineering (Manufacturing Engineering, and Non-Destructive Testing), health (Nursing Associate, Occupational Therapy, and Advanced Clinical Practitioner), management (Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship), and Policing.
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship recently received the stamp of approval from the Office for Students, which rated UON’s programme as “outstanding”.
As part of an ongoing commitment to appeal to as many people as possible, UON is developing seven new apprenticeships for September 2025 (currently pending validation) following a successful bid last year for almost £0.5 million to enhance its Level-6 programmes:
- Accounts and Finance.
- Digital Marketing.
- Midwifery.
- Nursing (four fields of practice).
- Physiotherapy.
- Podiatry.
- Project Management.
Work is also under way for a new Teacher apprenticeship, expected in 2026.
The accounting and finance apprenticeship is available for new accounting and finance employees, experienced workers seeking a qualification and AAT-qualified staff.
Anna Poole is a senior lecturer in financial accounting. “Successful completion offers professional recognition.” she said. “This is an exciting opportunity for apprentices to implement optimal practices taught by our skilled UON lecturers. By applying these industry practices, apprentices can drive improvement and innovation, benefiting both the business and its emerging talent.”
UON’s apprenticeship manager Simon Longhurst added: “We are very pleased to officially announce our new apprenticeships. The great thing about apprenticeships is that, once an employer has agreed to support them, the apprentice accrues very little debt as the costs of their course are paid out of the employer’s levy pot.
“This is an exciting time for apprenticeships at University of Northampton. As well as our successful bid last year, Ofsted gave our apprenticeships an overall ‘good with outstanding features’ rating, testament to the quality of our programmes and the learning experience here.”
Age is no barrier to becoming an apprentice, he said. “There is a growing trend of people beyond retirement age embarking on apprenticeships as they have more time to ‘earn and learn’ about an area they are interested in. Now is the right time for people interested in progressing further in one of the many areas we offer apprenticeships in to get in touch and find out more.”
Simon and two academics leading on two of the new apprenticeships – Lisa Slaughter for project management and Dr Kardi Somerfield for digital marketing – sat down for a chat about these new additions on the UON apprenticeship podcast. They covered the modules their programmes will include, the support apprentices received – even down to their mental health and wellbeing – who the right apprentices are and professional accreditation and memberships that are part of their programme plans.
Listen to the conversation at northampton.ac.uk/podcasts/
Find out more about apprenticeships at the University of Northampton.
northampton.ac.uk/apprenticeships or email
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