Deciding what you want to do after school is regrettably one of the hardest choices one has to make in life. Do you go to university and get a degree, or choose an apprenticeship and earn while you learn? In this article, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of completing a university degree or a degree apprenticeship.
Pros of doing a degree apprenticeship:
1. You will obtain more work experience. This is because, in most apprenticeships, you'll be allocated one day a week to attend university lectures and complete assignments. This will enable you to be 3–4 years ahead of colleagues who are studying at university full-time because you already have obtained 3–4 years of experience in your desired industry as well as a degree, making you more desirable to employers.
2. Degree apprentices won't be left in debt after completing their degree. This is because their tuition costs are covered by their employers. Degree apprentices also earn a salary, which means they are getting paid as they learn.
Cons of doing a degree apprenticeship:
1. Doing a degree apprenticeship means that you won't be able to get the full university experience. This is because, as a degree apprentice, you will be balancing work and academics, which means that you won't have the same flexibility as a full-time university student.
2. Degree apprentices will get fewer holidays than full-time university students. This is because they have the same standard number of holidays as a person who has a full-time job, which is around 25–30 days a year.
Pros of getting a university degree:
1. You get to start living independently. University gives you the opportunity to develop your life skills, such as managing time, finances, social life, etc. If you want to be successful at university, you must be organised and take accountability for your actions.
2. A great opportunity to explore your interests. At university, there will be an opportunity for you to join clubs and societies, which can help you meet new people that could potentially turn into long-lasting friendships and relationships.
Cons of Getting a University Degree:
1. You will leave university with a significant amount of student debt. This debt can take years to pay off and can accrue interest over time, potentially increasing the overall amount owed. However, it is important to acknowledge that graduates don’t start paying back their student loans until their income meets a certain threshold.
2. You’re not guaranteed a graduate job after you leave university. Unlike degree apprenticeships where you are offered a job in the end, graduate schemes are highly competitive and hard to get by, especially in certain industries like law, engineering, banking, and finance, where you are expected to have undertaken some work experience in those fields for you to be even considered for a job offer.