Over 80% of our fully funded Graduate Apprenticeship places have already been reserved for September 2025. Find out how your organisation can benefit from a UWS Graduate Apprenticeship by registering for one of our webinars below.
Our Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) provide a fully funded pathway for individuals to a achieve a degree or for organisations to invest in the talents of their workforce.
Future-proof your workforce and talent pipeline with UWS’ innovative Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Business Management.
Our Business Management GA has been developed in collaboration with industry leaders to support aspiring business managers and leaders to develop the essential skills and knowledge needed to underpin business growth, innovation and increased productivity.
The programme has been designed in partnership with employers to ensure that it delivers the skills, knowledge and understanding required by business managers and leaders now and in the future.
Apprentices apply their learning in their professional practice from Day 1, working on real-time projects that create a tangible benefit for the business.
Online delivery, by industry experts, complemented by on-campus workshops and work based learning enables learners to balance their work, study and personal commitments. Apprentices tailor their own learning by studying core modules (e.g. operations management and fundamentals of leadership) to acquire a broad understanding of the subject area, as well as selecting options (e.g. business enterprise creation and ethical leadership) which reflect their own operational roles and business priorities.
UWS Link Tutors help apprentices to integrate their learning into their workplace and support the delivery of the work-based learning modules.
Delivered from our award-winning Lanarkshire campus using modern teaching practice with blended learning, industry led projects and innovative work-based assessment that balance theory with day-to-day professional practice in the workplace.
Which facilitates recognition of prior industry experience and qualifications. At UWS we recognise relevant qualifications and industry experience and will consider advanced entry into Year 2/3 for appropriate candidates.
The benefits of apprenticeships are significant, but don't take our word for it. Hear from one of our employers, Sharon Blyfield OBE and apprentice Atlanta and discover the power of apprenticeships at UWS.
Apprenticeships are really important to young people and those coming into businesses, because it creates another pathway for them to start their career.”
Sharon Blyfield OBE
Head of Early Careers and Apprenticeships Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Graduate Apprenticeships are built on a partnership between employers, apprentices and UWS enabling students to align their learning with their workplace activities and apply their new skills and learning in a professional environment from Day 1.
To do this, apprentices are supported by a dedicated UWS Link Tutor and a Workplace Mentor will work together to maximise the opportunities to accredit the learning taking place in the apprentices’ workplace activities.
As a result, Graduate Apprentices are uniquely placed to integrate their academic skills, knowledge and practices with their workplace practices contributing to increased productivity and business growth.
Natalie MacKenzie, one of our Graduate Apprentices on the BA (Hons) Business Management, is employed with S & C Engineering:
The GA at UWS is a fantastic way to put learning into practice in my workplace straight away!
Louis McGuire (GA Business Management) currently working for DHL said:
The Graduate Apprenticeship Programme has opened my eyes to a world of real opportunity and endless possibilities. I’ve had the chance to gain valuable work experience whilst developing my academic understanding of the world of business and relate these theories to my current workplace.
work-based learning
Understanding and Skills
To apply for a GA, applicants must meet SAAS eligibility criteria. GAs are open to both existing employees and new recruits. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of employer support during the application process.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
An appropriate Foundation Apprenticeship, Modern Apprenticeship or HNC/D award with the level of entry and/or credit awarded being subject to the content of the programme. Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
All applicants must be in employment (minimum of 21 hours per week) in a role related to the course of study, must have the right to live and work in Scotland and be working in Scotland.
You can apply if you are aged 16 or over and there is no maximum age limit.
The employer must commit to providing a suitable workplace environment and to offering guidance and mentoring support to the apprentice with the appointment of a work-based mentor.
A Tripartite Partnership Agreement must be signed by the GA student and employing organisation prior to the commencement of the programme.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The GA in Business Management has been developed in partnership with industry to ensure that the learning is aligned to business needs.
The course fully embraces the principles of Work-Based Learning. It is delivered over four years and apprentices undertake 120 credits per year (three terms per year). Work-Based Learning and Work-Based Assessment strongly underpin the course.
Apprentices are taught by our GA teaching team of subject-matter experts from the School of Business and Creative Industries who deliver modules through personalised tuition, support, and feedback. Our team of dedicated UWS Link Tutors are also on-hand to help apprentices to integrate their learning into their workplace and support the delivery of the work-based learning modules.
Core Modules:
Optional modules:
Core Modules:
Optional modules:
Core Modules:
Optional modules:
Core Modules:
Optional modules:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
For individuals and organisations who wish to find out more about the Graduate Apprenticeship BA (Hons) Business Management, please contact our dedicated team:
You can also get in touch directly with Usman Ahmad, Industry Engagement Manager:
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
Applicants must meet all of the following:
In addition, you must have employer support to:
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above, please explore our extensive range of career-focused undergraduate degrees and continuing professional development opportunities.
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.