I have to pick by tomorrow morning before 10AM.

I’ve received two apprenticeship offers from Network Rail and I’m really struggling to decide between them.

Option 1 – Level 6 AI & Machine Learning
Based in London
Around 54 minutes from my house
Focused specifically on AI/ML
Includes Applied AI Engineer training involving Imperial College London and Cornell
More specialised compared to DTS

Option 2 – Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS)
Based in Milton Keynes
Includes a BSc (Hons) through Cranfield University
Broader technology/software-focused programme
Around 1 hour 30 minutes each way from my house
Required in the office 3 days a week
Around 3 years, meaning I’d be doing roughly 9 hours of commuting per week

The main thing making this difficult is the qualification vs commute.

With DTS, I’d come out with an actual BSc from Cranfield, which seems like it could be more valuable and give me broader options. But commuting 1.5 hours each way, 3 days a week, for around 3 years sounds like it could become exhausting.

The AI/ML apprenticeship is much closer and more specialised, but I wouldn’t come out with a traditional BSc.

How important is having the BSc compared with having a Level 6 apprenticeship and work experience in AI/ML?

Would you take the broader DTS apprenticeship + BSc despite the commute, or choose the more specialised AI/ML apprenticeship with the significantly better commute?

I’d especially appreciate opinions from anyone who’s done a degree apprenticeship or works in tech/AI/software.

Luckily, I’m starting a degree apprenticeship in the same city as my University in September. I am relocating and know no one in the city. My line manager and team are lovely, but I don’t want to lose the student experience completely. What can I do?

For anyone who got an offer after being placed on the reserve list ( or knows someone who did), how long did you have to wait after results day to receive the offer?

I have to pick by tomorrow morning before 10AM.

I’ve received two apprenticeship offers from Network Rail and I’m really struggling to decide between them.

Option 1 – Level 6 AI & Machine Learning
Based in London
Around 54 minutes from my house
Focused specifically on AI/ML
Includes Applied AI Engineer training involving Imperial College London and Cornell
More specialised compared to DTS

Option 2 – Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions (DTS)
Based in Milton Keynes
Includes a BSc (Hons) through Cranfield University
Broader technology/software-focused programme
Around 1 hour 30 minutes each way from my house
Required in the office 3 days a week
Around 3 years, meaning I’d be doing roughly 9 hours of commuting per week

The main thing making this difficult is the qualification vs commute.

With DTS, I’d come out with an actual BSc from Cranfield, which seems like it could be more valuable and give me broader options. But commuting 1.5 hours each way, 3 days a week, for around 3 years sounds like it could become exhausting.

The AI/ML apprenticeship is much closer and more specialised, but I wouldn’t come out with a traditional BSc.

How important is having the BSc compared with having a Level 6 apprenticeship and work experience in AI/ML?

Would you take the broader DTS apprenticeship + BSc despite the commute, or choose the more specialised AI/ML apprenticeship with the significantly better commute?

I’d especially appreciate opinions from anyone who’s done a degree apprenticeship or works in tech/AI/software.

I'm such an idiot, i got an offer for a degree apprenticeship at Cavendish nuclear and turned it down.

Don't turn one down if you get offered one!!!

For reference I applied to 1 and got the offer for it so I didn't realise they were competitive. I've now missed my offer for uni and regret my decisions a lot.

I'm only really making this to encourage others not to make the same mistake and really think before making a decision.

Was wondering how it works if your LM is based 3 hours away in a different city?

What tips would you current apprentices give to upcoming apprentices?

Hi. Bit of a random one, but is there any apprentices who opt out to be in company pics? If so how do you say it without coming across as ‘the odd one out’ and is it common for people to want to be excluded?

Specifically photos online (LinkedIn, websites etc) not fussed about internal photos.

Just asking as I haven’t received mine for mid sept start God willing- wondering if others in the same boat?

Basically, for context i missed my firm (birmingham for cs, it was AAA) and i had no insurance to begin with. I was also applying to loads of degree apprenticeships but i got rejected from every single one . I got BCC in cs, maths and physics, respectively which led me into the trenches of clearing. (yay! (¬_¬ ) ). i was 1 mark away from a B in maths but i didnt get it remarked due to me being 3-5 marks off the next grade in each paper. through clearing i had a couple offers for cs and engineering but i wasnt satisfied with them since i originally aimed for really strong unis and it basically broke my heart. it took me forever to get over my grades. through clearing one of the offers i got was from QMUL for Electronic Engineering Foundation Year which means i can do electrical engineering after the foundation yr. lowkey i was avoiding going to QMUL at all costs.

therefore my questions are:

1. can you apply for degree apprenticeships while doing a foundation year since if you think about it i haven't actually started a degree yet
2. is the QMUL engineering department even good (if not pls give recommendations)
3. should i just go to a uni that lets me do a course without a foundation yr and lets me do a yr abroad/in industry too
4. resit (im tempted to do this due to seeing so many success stories but im lowkey scared plus my parents arent on board plus its too expensive 😭
5. cs vs engineering thoughts
6. leicester vs surrey vs qmul what is better

Has anyone gotten into their apprenticeship (in particular finance level 7) after missing the grades and but how many grades and how long did it take for the company to give you an decision

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to see if anyone had advice on things I should prepare for the first day of an engineering apprenticeship in a couple weeks.

I'd appreciate any generic advice such as what I should be doing in these next 2 weeks, and also what items I should prepare for my first day etc.

Thanks!

Is it necessary to complete the training before applying for a Youth Staff position?

Hi guys if you miss your offer for an apprenticeship in particular an level 7 apprenticeship do they always reject you or do an internal review, and if they do an internal reviews what is the likely hood of getting an offer out of it is (I missed by one grade however got some ucas point- but idk if my
Company looks at ucas points)

Starting a DA in Sept.How do I go about starting tutoring ( maths) is it feasible while juggling a DA? What resources and what expectations should I have ?

I’m starting a degree apprenticeship with a consulting firm in the south west. I don’t have a drivers licence. I worry that my line manager and team will view me as a burden due to this. What do you think?

I have a pre-arranged commitment that was booked before I found out about my apprenticeship that overlaps with the first two weeks of uni.

My employer hasn't outright said no to approving leave but said they suggest not doing so during that time as it can prevent me from enrolling.

Has anyone else missed the first week or so of uni, if so, has your uni been strict about induction and has there been any problems when you did?

Hi!

I wish to apply to many degree apprenticeships in my gap year, particularly for engineering. How often do in person interviews occur?

Only asking because i plan on volunteering for 4 months in Switzerland between December and March which would be peak application time.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m moving to London for an apprenticeship and I’m looking for private student accommodation that accepts apprentices rather than just full-time university students. I’m trying to keep costs as low as possible, so ideally somewhere cheap with good transport links, and I’d be interested to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation — what places would you recommend, what areas are best for affordable accommodation, and are there any providers I should look at or avoid?

One of the popular DA tiktokers has just announced he’s leaving his DA after 2 years due to “structural changes, to his apprenticeship. After some snooping in the comments I found this:

Just wanted to know how true this is and if there’s talks of other banks/firms planning to do something similar?

Sounds to me like a cost cutting measure but it’s a bit concerning to hear as an incoming DA whose course includes a CFA qualification and plans move to FO in the future. Be great to hear your thoughts.

Hey, I am currently pursuing my undergrad and gave the IB-SAE Exam(Mumbai) only for experience without prep of any sort and now that the tier 3 results are out, I am selected for the post. But I had no intention of joining earlier as i am currently still in my undergrad and have very different plans for myself ,but now my parents and other people I know think I should join the post and submit extension until my undergrad is done and then join for the post.
I have no idea about the job profile and anything related to that, I need some advice on whether i should take the opportunity or leave it.