A note on Programme Design and Structure

A note on Programme Design and Structure

You must align with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and QAA subject benchmark statements as you would in designing any other programme. However, you must also align to the relevant Apprenticeship Standard and your programme must demonstrate how apprentices will meet programme learning outcomes, but also the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) laid out in the Standard. Demonstrating these KSBs will allow the apprentice to achieve both the HE qualification and apprenticeship itself.

The Apprenticeship Standard will indicate the suggested duration for a specific apprenticeship.

Off-the-job Learning

Degree apprenticeships must include a minimum of 20 per cent off-the-job (OTJ) learning, which may take the form of traditional face-to-face or online learning, but can also include independent learning and activities in the workplace. This 20 per cent is measured over the course of an apprenticeship, takes place during the apprentice’s paid hours and must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties. This learning must teach new KSBs required by the Apprenticeship Standard.

The remaining learning takes place on-the-job and is undertaken in the workplace. The University is responsible for ensuring that the apprentice’s workplace provides an appropriate source of learning and that the 20 per cent OTJ is logged by the apprentice and held on file by the University.

Additional information about the requirements of OTJ training can be found on the ESFA’s website.

Employer Engagement

Employers should be involved in the design and development of degree apprenticeships and you should hold a number of employer engagement workshops prior to programme approval. This will show employer involvement in the design, delivery and assessment model of the degree apprenticeship set against the Apprenticeship Standard and the Standard Assessment Plan for the End-Point Assessment (EPA).

As these are developmental workshops, sharing your curriculum mapping, draft delivery and assessment models will give you an excellent opportunity for feedback and will engage employers in their ‘buy-in’ to your specific degree apprenticeship.

Employers consulted should be representatives of the occupation to which the degree apprenticeship standard relates. These do not necessarily have to be the specific employers with which the University will deliver the degree apprenticeship.

Your assessment strategy and the End-Point Assessment (EPA)

You need to align your programme assessment strategy with the apprenticeship Assessment Plan associated with the Apprenticeship Standard. This includes formative and summative assessments that support the achievement of the programme and prepare apprentices for the EPA.

Subcontracting on degree apprenticeship programmes

You may need to subcontract to be able to deliver a degree apprenticeship programmes. You should follow the University approved Degree Apprenticeship subcontracting policy (PDF 94.2 KB). For all apprenticeship students who do not already hold maths and/or English at Level 2 or above, the University subcontracts this qualification.