Apprenticeships in Scotland
Scotland's three-tier apprenticeship ladder — Foundation (in school), Modern (earn while you learn), and Graduate (degree + salary) — explained for young people, parents, and career changers.
Work-based qualification alongside Highers. One day a week in a workplace or college. UCAS points equivalent to a Higher.
Leave school, become an employee. Earn a full wage while training toward a nationally recognised qualification.
Degree-level. Earn a full salary, study part-time at a Scottish university, graduate with a degree and zero tuition debt.
Start here
The three guides most young people and parents read first.
Scottish Apprenticeships Explained: Foundation, Modern, Graduate
The complete three-tier guide — who each one is for, how pay and qualifications work, and how to choose between apprenticeship and university.
Graduate Apprenticeships: a degree, paid for by your employer
How Scotland's Graduate Apprenticeships work, which universities offer them, what sectors are involved, and how the pay compares to student life.
Foundation Apprenticeships in S5 and S6: the parent's guide
What a Foundation Apprenticeship means for your child's timetable, UCAS points, and university offers — explained for parents.
How do my Highers compare to a Foundation Apprenticeship?
Convert your Higher grades to UCAS points and see how a Foundation Apprenticeship fits into your university offer — in under a minute.
Top sectors
Live vacancies and typical apprentice wages by sector.
Foundation Apprenticeship frameworks
Available in S5/S6, alongside your Highers. Each leads to an SCQF Level 6 qualification — equivalent to a Higher.
All Apprenticeships guides
22 guides covering every aspect of Scottish apprenticeships.
Modern Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeships
Graduate Apprenticeships
Finding & applying
Pay & conditions
For apprenticeship applicants
Things worth sorting before you apply.