A NEW WAY TO LEARN

HIGHER LEVEL APPRENTICESHIPS (HLA)

AT QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

WHAT IS A HIGHER-LEVEL APPRENTICESHIP (HLA)?

A Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) offers a unique opportunity for individuals to combine academic study with practical workplace experience.

Participants typically spend around four days a week working with their employer, gaining hands-on experience, while one day each week is dedicated to academic teaching at Queen's University Belfast. This structure allows for an effective balance between earning a salary and working towards recognised qualifications. HLAs are available for those already in employment, employers looking to upskill existing staff, or individuals seeking a new opportunity by being matched with an employer.

At Queen's University Belfast, we offer:

A Level 6 Civil Engineering HLA, equivalent to a full undergraduate BEng in Civil Engineering.
A range of Master's Level (Level 7) HLAs, designed to help participants advance their careers while continuing to work.

One key benefit of these courses is that student apprentices pay no tuition fees or costs, as they are fully funded by the Department for the Economy. This makes HLAs an ideal choice for those seeking to balance academic learning, on-the-job training, and earning a salary.

HLAs represent an innovative approach to education, benefiting both participants and employers by providing up-to-date skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.

BENEFITS OF AN HLA

Benefits to Students

NO TUITION FEES

No student loans for HLA students. The course is fully funded by the Department for the Economy.

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

You will be paid a competitive salary by your employer.

GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A JOB RELEVANT TO FUTURE CAREER

Set yourself up for success by gaining relevant, hands-on experience in the career path you’re passionate about.

INDUSTRIAL MENTOR FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Work with and learn from professionals with a wealth of experience in your field.

A MIX OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAMPUS LEARNING

You will work on-site four days a week with one day of teaching on Campus at Queen’s.

Benefits to Employers

INNOVATION AND FRESH PERSPECTIVES

Apprentices bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn which can contribute to a dynamic work environment

RETENTION OF HIGHER-LEVEL TALENT

A skilled pipeline of accredited students that can be trained in growth areas for your company

ATTRACT HIGH CALIBRE STAFF

Develop a skilled workforce of students who can contribute effectively to projects during their training period

ADAPTABILITY

Student apprentices allow you to adapt to changing skill requirements.

INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

Working with apprentices can inspire new ways of working that increase productivity

Visit The Apprentice Hub

Find Out More

Visit the Employer Hub

Find Out More

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applying for a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) at Queen’s University Belfast is a straightforward process, designed to be accessible to both prospective student apprentices and employers. Whether you are an individual seeking an apprenticeship or an employer looking to upskill staff, there are multiple ways to get started.

For Student Apprentices:

With an Employer: Individuals who are already employed can apply for an HLA with their current employer’s support. This allows them to enhance their skills and qualifications while continuing to work.
Without an Employer: For those not yet employed, Queen’s University Belfast offers support in finding a suitable employer. Through partnerships with industry, students can find employers looking to recruit apprentices. Visit the Apprentice Hub for current vacancies

If you are interested in applying for any of our HLAs, visit out apprentice hub to learn more and apply

Apprentice Hub

For Employers:

Employers can enrol existing staff on an HLA programme to upskill their workforce and develop talent within the company.
Employers looking to recruit new talent can also work with Queen’s University Belfast to find and hire student apprentices through the HLA programme. Visit the Employer Hub to learn more about how to list a vacancy.

If you are interested in employing an apprentice or upskilling your staff, visit the employer hub to learn more.

Employer Hub

Application Process for All:

Step 1: Choose an HLA programme of interest.
Step 2: Complete the application form, which includes providing necessary documentation such as qualifications and employment details (where applicable).
Step 3: If applying without an employer, applicants will have to start applying for apprenticeship vacancies within companies actively recruiting. You can find vacancies within the Apprenticeship Hub.
Step 4: Finalise the application by ensuring the tripartite agreement between the apprentice, employer, and Queen’s University Belfast is in place.
Step 5: Await confirmation of enrolment. Entry requirements and eligibility apply. Courses start in September.

Entry Requirements

Eligibility: This programme is fully funded by the DfE and is open to domestic applicants only.

More information on eligibility criteria can be found on the nidirect website.

Commitment: Applicants and employers must demonstrate commitment and allocate sufficient time to attend and complete the course.