Higher Level Apprenticeship qualifications
Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) currently offer you qualifications from Level 4 to Level 6 (Honours degree). The majority are at Level 5 (Foundation degree).
The length of a Higher Level Apprenticeship will vary depending on the programme you chose, but will be a minimum of two years.
Benefits to apprentices
By taking part in a Higher Level Apprenticeship, you can gain the skills that employers need and that are relevant to the local economy, therefore improving your prospects of good earnings and sustained employment.
Other benefits include:
- earning while you learn
- achieving professional-level qualifications without paying higher education tuition fees
- increased opportunities for career progression
- a clear pathway to achieving ambitions in the workplace
Benefits to employers
Higher Level Apprenticeships allow employers to train staff to the level needed so they have strong technical and good employability skills.
An apprenticeship can:
- fill higher level skills gap
- attract higher calibre staff
- increase productivity
- develop existing staff
Eligibility
Opportunities are available for you to gain qualifications from Level 4 upwards if you are a new employee or an existing employee in a new job role. Entry requirements will depend on the apprenticeship pathway.
To take part in the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme you need to:
- be employed or be about to take up paid employment as an apprentice with a Northern Ireland based company
- work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training)
- meet the entry requirements of your chosen occupation
- be the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland
Higher Level Apprenticeships available
Higher Level Apprenticeships are available through the colleges and universities below.
College titles and abbreviations
| College | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Belfast Metropolitan College | BMC |
| College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise | CAFRE |
| Northern Regional College | Northern |
| North West Regional College | NWRC |
| South Eastern Regional College | SERC |
| Southern Regional College | SRC |
| South West College | SWC |
| Ulster University | UU |
| Open University | OU |
| Queen's University Belfast | QUB |
Currently, Higher Level Apprenticeships are available in over 20 occupational areas including ICT, Professional Services, Engineering, Life Sciences, Accountancy and Health Care. See below for full details.
| Sector | Title | College / University | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built Environment | Civil and Environmental Engineering |
SWC |
Foundation degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Civil Engineering |
BMC
UU |
Foundation degree in Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) /MEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering |
|
| Gas Management | SERC | LOGIC Certificate in Gas Safety Management | |
| Renewables and Sustainable Technologies | SWC |
Foundation degree /BSc in Energy Environment and Sustainability Foundation degree in Architectural Engineering and Energy |
|
| Sustainable Construction | SWC | Foundation degree in Science in Construction Engineering with Surveying | |
| Business and Professional Services | Business Technology | UU | BSc(Hons Business Technology |
| Childcare and Youth Work | Children's Care, Learning and Development | SERC | Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE) Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development |
| Engineering and Manufacturing | Advanced Manufacturing - Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Northern | Foundation degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
| Advanced Manufacturing - Electrical and Electronic Engineering | Northern | Foundation degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering | |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | NWRC | Foundation degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering | |
| Engineering - Manufacturing / Mechatronics | SWC |
Foundation degree in Manufacturing Engineering Foundation degree in Mechatronic Engineering |
|
| Food and Drink Manufacture | CAFRE | Foundation degree in food and drink manufacture | |
| Mechanical Engineering | NWRC | Foundation degree in Mechanical Engineering | |
| Mechatronics | SERC, SRC | Foundation degree in Mechatronic Engineering | |
| Financial and Accounting | Accountancy |
BMC |
Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Certificate/Diploma for Accounting Technicians |
| Accounting and Management | UU | BSc (Hons) Accounting and Management | |
| Health and Social Care | Adult Nursing | OU | BSc(Hons) Adult Nursing |
| Hospitality, Events and Tourism | International Hospitality and Tourism Management | NWRC | Foundation degree in International Hospitality and Tourism Management |
| ICT and Digital | Computing |
SERC |
Foundation degree in computing |
| Computing Infrastructure | BMC SRC |
Foundation degree in Computing Infrastructure | |
| Cyber security | QUB | MSc Applied Cyber Security | |
| Cyber security and networking infrastructure | BMC | Foundation degree in cyber security and networking infrastructure | |
| Software Development | NWRC | Foundation degree in Software Development | |
| Software Engineering | BMC | Foundation degree in Software Engineering | |
| Software engineering with digital technology partnership | QUB | BEng Software Engineering | |
| Life and Industrial Science | Applied Industrial Science (Chemical Science) | SRC | Foundation Degree in Applied Industrial Science (Chemical Science) |
| Applied Industrial Science (Life Science) | SRC | Foundation degree in Applied Industrial Science (Life Science) | |
| Applied Pharmaceutical Science | UU | BSc(Hons) Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences | |
| Pharmaceutical Analysis | QUB | MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis | |
| Motor Vehicle | Automotive Management | SERC | Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) Diploma in Automotive Management |
| Sales and Digital Marketing | Digital Marketing | BMC | City and Guilds Diploma in Digital Marketing |
If you're interested in doing a Higher Level Apprenticeship, contact the relevant Further Education college or University for further information.
If you're not sure about which apprenticeship you want to follow, or want more information on what the Apprenticeships programme can do for you, contact the helpline: