Making a bigger mark on the professional world is the order of the day for one University of Northampton (UON) Degree Apprentice who, during a national awareness week, talks about being a trailblazer.
National Apprenticeships Week (9-15 February 2026) celebrates the value and opportunities that apprenticeships create; this year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’.
The University of Northampton offers several Degree Level Apprenticeships. Last year, the institution announced the start of several new programmes, including one called Accounting and Finance Manager.
Degree Level Apprenticeships offer an ‘earn while you learn’ route to a full degree. They mix lectures at the University with real-time work experience through the apprentice’s current job. As the teaching fees are covered by the Apprenticeship Levy, there are no such costs.
The Accounting and Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship started in September last year. It covers financial and management accounting, taxation, finance, digital tools and compliance.
As apprentices are assessed only through practical, work-based tasks, there are no exams.
Graduates wishing to progress further can achieve Associate Financial Accountant status by completing two additional units, offering a clear and achievable pathway to enhanced professional standing.
This means employers get a powerful combination of degree-level capability, professional recognition, and progression options, without staff needing time to revise for and take exams.
One of the first apprentices on the Accounting and Finance course is Laura Ruggles. Laura – who is an Income Assistant in the University’s Finance team – talks about why she decided to sign up for the programme and how it’s going: “My children are growing up, so I have a little more time to myself. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to study alongside working and to improve myself by learning on the job.
“Being one of the first apprentices on this new UON programme is exciting and very rewarding. I am really enjoying it so far; it has been a huge learning curve in terms of learning how to write academically and managing my time to ensure assignments are submitted on time.
“My manager is supporting my apprenticeship by holding 121 meetings to ensure I’m on track with my academic and workplace learning. She also has an ‘open-door’ policy so I can approach her anytime to discuss my journey. Our next review is in March to discuss my progress and if any further support is needed.
“As an Accounting and Finance apprentice, I have found that using my newfound academic writing has helped my general writing and emails to be clearer and more concise. I have also started to think more critically about my work. I would highly recommend the apprenticeship degree as it benefits from working whilst learning on the job.”
Find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at University of Northampton.