During a national celebration week, one University of Northampton (UON) degree apprentice talks about taking the plunge to enhance her career development.
National Apprenticeships Week (9-15 February 2026) celebrates the value and opportunities apprenticeships create; the theme this year is ‘Skills for Life’.
University of Northampton offers several Degree Level Apprenticeships and last year announced the start of new programmes, including Digital Marketing.
Degree Level Apprenticeships offer an ‘earn while you learn’ route to a full degree, mixing lectures at the University with real time work experience through the apprentice’s existing employer.
As the teaching fees are covered by the Apprenticeship Levy – a ‘pot’ that employers and universities can access – there are no tuition fees.
The Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship covers social media management, e-commerce, artificial intelligence for marketing workflows to effective hybrid working.
Evie Scarborough, from Peterborough but who works in Northampton, is one of the first group of apprentices on that course. She talks about why led her to being a degree apprentice: “Ever since I started working in marketing, my career development has been a hot topic for me.
“I’ve always been interested in wanting to further my project and campaign management skills. After researching the course at UON and chatting with the programme lead, Dr Kardi Somerfield, about the topics that I’d learn about, I felt this was a no brainer.
“To most people, this would feel scary due to the sense of unknown, however, since even before beginning the course and through speaking with Kardi, I felt I’m in more than capable hands. The course was explained so clearly to me, the lecturers are all so knowledgeable and passionate so I feel excited and honoured to get the chance to be within the first cohort which I’m sure will grow immensely in popularity.”
Now a few months into the apprenticeship and fully settled, Evie continues about how the course is going: “I’ve had a great start. I’ve made new friends, expanded my network, learnt new skills, and I’m already taking this into the workplace! I was apprehensive about managing workload with my university work; however, my employer ensures my learning days are uninterrupted and is checking in regularly that I am coping well.
“I’m now using frameworks and taking on campaign management work within my role, using the skills and knowledge gained from my apprenticeship. My first essay saw me planning an English Tourism Week campaign which I have taken into my real-life role and am now implementing.”
Find out more about Degree Level Apprenticeships at University of Northampton.