Online Applications

Online applications

More than 80% of degree apprenticeship applicants are rejected at the application stage. On the upside, if you get through this stage, you will have dramatically increased your chance of success. That's why this page is so wordy - there's a lot of very important information to convey.

Key Success Factors:

Don't limit yourself to degree apprenticeships - other levels of apprenticeships also allow you to gain a university-level qualification.
Get organised - you have to allocate significant time to completing each application.
Fill in every section (even if it’s labelled “optional”).
Demonstrate that you have thoroughly researched the job role, the organisation and the sector.
The character / word limits are there for a reason - that’s the amount you're meant to write.

Read the guidance

For example, here’s Rolls-Royce’s recent guidance: “You’ll be asked the following three screening questions on your application form. We’re looking for your answers to be more than a few sentences, but the maximum you can write for each answer is 300 words.” The three questions were:

What is it about Rolls-Royce that makes you want to start a career with us? Specifically, we would like to know what appeals to you about working here and what interests you about our products and services.
Why would you like to join a Rolls-Royce Early Career Programme? Specifically, we would like you to tell us about any relevant topics/trends/ issues that you find interesting. Or any experiences you have had that prompted you to apply to this programme.
The Engineering industry is ever changing due to significant trends and topics that are shaping its future. With that in mind, tell us about one social, technological, economic or environmental issue or trend that you think will have an impact on the way we work and why?

Specific advice

Rolls-Royce then gave specific tips for each of the three questions. Here’s what they said for question 1:

You could talk about our products or recent innovations such as the Trent 7000 or XWB engines, the next generation of aircraft for the U.S. Army, or the growth of our battery storage in Europe.
You may also choose to mention which sectors interest you, for example the nuclear sector or space exploration.
A great answer may also include business topics you find interesting, such as Capital Market’s Day, the growth of digital or AI, diversity in the STEM sector, or environmental projects.
This answer is about what you find interesting at Rolls-Royce. So, make sure you write about what’s personal to you and not just generic topics.

Rolls-Royce gave a similar amount of guidance for the second two questions. But, remember, everyone can see this information. So, how can you ensure your answers are different (and better than your competitors’ answers)?

When everyone else zigs; zag

Use the company-specific guidance. Do not, however, use it as the exact basis of your answers. Looking at the Rolls-Royce example, that means that you shouldn’t talk about Trent 7000 or XWB engines. Instead, you could research (and then talk about) their other cool innovations.

For example, you could talk about:

The widget inside the widget that’s key to a product’s operational success (e.g. the single crystal turbine blade).
Materials science and its role in creating efficient engines, by using advanced composites and alloys that have been created to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.
Remote collaboration tools, such as Fusion 360, that allow multiple team members across the globe (e.g. project managers, structural engineers and materials specialists) to work on a single 3D model simultaneously.

Using artificial intelligence

You can use AI to help you research possible things to research further. For example, look at the patents that relate to Rolls-Royce’s single crystal turbine blade.

Note: You should avoid using AI in the final draft of your answers.

How much do you need to write?

If the box has a character or word limit, for example 500 words, you will be expected to use up most of that limit. In this example, that means no fewer than 470 words.

Qualifications

You will need to list your Level 2 qualifications (e.g. GCSEs) and current Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A Levels). When adding the latter, you will probably need to include your predicted grades.

Work experience

I cannot stress enough the importance of this section. You need to add at least five things. Get creative: Include virtual work experience, side hustles, part-time work, volunteering and even things such as Duke of Edinburgh (where volunteering is mandatory).

Personal information

Take care when filling in this section, as a silly mistake could cost you dear (e.g. a missing digit from your phone number). Some other things to note:

Attention to detail: Each section of the application is important. For example, if you don’t use capital letters appropriately, it will look sloppy.
Email address: Always use your personal email address (as your school email will eventually become defunct) and, if you don’t have a professional sounding email address, create one.
Unique identifiers: You may also have to provide your National Insurance number and your Unique Learner Number.
Right to work: Most applications include an “Immigration and Nationality” section, as you need the right to work in the UK to enrol on a degree apprenticeship.

Checking for accuracy

AI tools, Google Docs and Grammarly can all help you ensure your application is free from mistakes.

Other things to consider:

Referees - If you have to name two referees, try to choose one academic referee and one workplace referee.

Nothing is optional - If the application form has “optional” sections do not view them as such. For example, if it’s optional to attach a cover letter, the candidates who do add a tailored cover letter are far more likely to be shortlisted.

Supporting Evidence - You may be asked to attach supporting evidence. Make sure any scans you attach are high resolution (and the right way up). Apps such as Genius Scan allow you to convert printed documents into PDFs.

Before you press submit

After you have checked and double checked everything, you need to ensure you have a copy of your application form. It may be that there’s an option to print it or save a PDF copy. If not, take screenshots of every page.

After you submit your application

Once you have submitted your application, you should receive a confirmation email shortly afterwards. If it doesn’t appear in your Inbox, check your Junk or Spam folder. If you find it there, move it to your Inbox and add the sender to your list of trusted contacts. If no confirmation arrives after a few days, either phone or email to confirm that your application has been received.

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