National Apprenticeship Week 2023 celebrated at Queen Mary

Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary's approach to apprenticeships means it has:  

• Linked-up with high-profile employers for apprenticeships – such as Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, PwC, GlaxoSmithKline and the BBC, and leading charities such as Action for Children.
• Opened London City Institute of Technology (LCIOT), one of London’s three Institutes of Technology, in September 2022, in partnership with Newham College, to offer a range of apprenticeship education and training programmes such as engineering technologies, civil engineering, construction and the built environment, and green and SMART technologies.
• Taken part in UCAS’s first campaign about degree apprenticeships with Dr Eranjan Padumadasa, Deputy Dean for Education (Employer Led Education) Faculty of Science and Engineering’s, sharing his insight and experience about Engineering Apprenticeships.
• Launched in 2019 the UK’s (and possibly the world’s) first Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship in social change.

Dr Philippa Lloyd, Vice-Principal for Policy and Strategic Partnerships at Queen Mary University of London says: ‘‘The growth in the number of degree apprenticeships we offer demonstrates our commitment to helping students progress through employment-based education opportunities. These students have their studies funded by the apprenticeship levy, benefiting from a high-quality Russell Group education, while also securing relevant work-based learning.”

Eileen O’Gara, Head of Apprenticeships at Queen Mary comments: “Our apprenticeships develop the skills and knowledge demanded by employers and apprentices alike. Our strategic aim is to ensure the widening of participation across the University and apprenticeships are an essential part of that.”

Dr Eranjan Padumadasa adds: “Queen Mary’s first degree apprenticeship was offered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Since then, the offer has expanded to include apprenticeships in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The common thread for all apprentices is that they secure a balance between the best of vocational and of academic experiences that brings such great benefits.”

Queen Mary currently has approximately 550 apprentices who are engaged on a wide range of programmes including:  

• Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist, Level 7
• Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, Level 6
• Academic Professional, Level 7
• Chartered Management, Level 6
• Senior Professional Economist, Level 7
• Investment Operations Specialist , Level 4

We are proud that our apprenticeships provide a route to career success. And who better to hear about this than from our recent alumni, interviewed for Q&As that offer an inspirational insight into the reasons why they chose a degree apprenticeship.

• Sherace Francis took a Degree Apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist (Data Analytics) MSc in 2022. In her online Q&A about her experience of the apprenticeship she says: “The degree apprenticeship course sparked my interest because there was a large emphasis on ‘on-the-job’ learning … I broadened my skillset throughout my degree. Not only does it benefit my colleagues and our company, but it helped me get to where I wanted to within my career.”
• Dilani Selvanathan studied for a Degree Apprenticeship in Digital Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) BSc, in 2021 and said of her choice: “I was drawn to a degree apprenticeship as I knew I would gain hands-on experience whilst actually implementing the theory I was learning at university, in real life. There were many other benefits such as working for a well-known company like the BBC, attending a Russell Group university, having my degree paid for, and numerous opportunities for professional development such as workplace training.
• Nicholas Sheward took the Degree Apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) BSc in 2021 and said: “It allowed me to gain practical experience in industry, which I have always valued over theoretical learning and not only at any company/organisation, but at the BBC! I knew how important it would be to have that experience and to stand out compared to students doing the traditional route.”

More information about degree apprenticeships at Queen Mary can be found here: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/degreeapprenticeships/