Level 7 degree apprenticeships – a story of challenge, resilience and success

ABSTRACT

This study explores the lived experience of both in-service and pre-service apprentices studying Level 7 apprenticeship programmes. Using qualitative questionnaires, this article facilitates a thematic analysis exploring how aspects such as: rationale for enrolment; study habits; prioritisation of workload; resilience and wellbeing are experienced by educators studying either an Academic Professional Apprenticeship or a Senior Leaders Apprenticeship programme. Results demonstrate a mixed landscape is apparent for Level 7 apprentices, with tangible differences, both within and between groups, exhibited regarding reason for enrolment and study habits. The challenge around balancing work-life priorities and the encroachment of work commitments on study time (and vice versa) are a common theme for both cohorts, with those who have better established working patterns and relationships more resilient to the challenges of Level 7 apprenticeship study.

KEYWORDS:

• Apprenticeships
• study habits
• workload
• prioritisation
• resilience
• career aspirations

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2024.2330778.

Abbreviations

APA	=	Academic Professional Apprenticeship
CPD	=	Continuing Professional Development
NPQH	=	National Professional Qualification for Headship
OTJT	=	Off-the-job Training
PPA	=	Planning, Preparation and Assessment
SLDA	=	Senior Leaders Degree Apprenticeship
SLT	=	Senior Leadership Team

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).