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Digital Marketing Degree or Degree Apprenticeship: Which is best for me?

So, you’ve just finished your A Levels and now you need to decide what to do once you leave school? The choice can seem overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know the route that’s right for you.

Deciding which path to choose ultimately depends on your personal goals and circumstances. If you are looking for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of digital marketing practices, a Digital Marketing Degree may be the best option for you.

However, if you are looking for practical experience and a cost-effective way of obtaining a degree, a Degree Apprenticeship may be the better choice. This article will explore each route in detail to help you decide which is the better choice for you.

Digital Marketing Degree

A digital marketing degree is a traditional undergraduate programme that focuses on marketing principles and practices. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, digital marketing has become a crucial component of every organisation’s business strategy. Digital marketing degrees can provide the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field.

Let’s delve a little deeper into some more of the benefits of studying for a digital marketing degree…

Benefits of a digital marketing degree

Understanding of Digital Marketing Practices

A digital marketing degree can give students a comprehensive understanding of digital marketing practices. You will have the opportunity to learn about the various techniques and strategies used in the industry, as well as the theoretical and practical aspects of marketing.

Career Advancement

Completing a digital marketing degree can open a plethora of career opportunities. The digital marketing industry is a growing one. As a result, there is an increase in demand for professionals with the right skills and qualifications to help businesses achieve their marketing goals.

Industry-Relevant Knowledge

As you probably already know, digital marketing is an ever-changing industry. Staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies is crucial. A digital marketing degree is designed to provide you with industry-relevant knowledge and skills. You will learn about emerging technologies and strategies that businesses are using to stay ahead of the competition.

How do I apply for a digital marketing degree?

Once you have chosen the course and the university that is right for you, applying for university is quite a straightforward process.

Firstly, we recommend checking for any entry requirements and application deadlines.

The UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) deadline for undergraduate degrees is usually around the start of the year, for students starting in between September and October.

The next step is to apply through UCAS, which involves creating an account and filling in some personal details, academic qualifications, and a personal statement explaining why you want to study digital marketing.

When writing a personal statement, make sure you stand out against other candidates and use this as an opportunity to sell yourself as a potential student at their university. Why should they offer you one of their places? Demonstrate your motivation, passion, and relevant skills and experience.

Once you have finished the UCAS application process, you will need to pay a small fee and then your application is ready to go! After you have submitted your application, universities will review your application and may even ask you to come in for an interview.

Responses from universities can vary depending on the university and the course you have applied for. Most universities do, however, tend to respond within a few weeks or months. Once they have made their decision, they will contact you with either a conditional offer or an unconditional offer.

An unconditional offer from a university is an offer of admission that is not conditional on any further requirements. This means that the university has made a final decision to offer you a place on the course, regardless of your final grades or exam results.

This probably means that they are happy with your application and are happy that you meet the requirements to study on that course. A conditional offer, on the other hand, is an offer based on you meeting certain academic requirements. These will usually be grades that you must meet to guarantee your place.

Digital Marketing Degree Apprenticeship

Degree apprenticeships are relatively new in the UK. They provide a unique opportunity for students to combine academic study with practical work experience. It gives you the relevant training and qualifications you need to kickstart your career, whilst paying you a salary!

If you are thinking about what your next steps could be, here are our top five reasons why we think you should consider applying for a degree apprenticeship in 2023…

Benefits of a digital marketing degree apprenticeship

Practical Experience

When completing a degree apprenticeship, students get hands-on experience in a professional setting while studying for their degree. This practical experience can be invaluable, as it enables students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, and they gain a deeper understanding of the industry.

Cost Effective

University tuition fees are continuing to rise, and students are now expected to pay them back a lot sooner than before. Luckily with a degree apprenticeship, there are no tuition fees for you to pay. The government covers the cost of tuition fees, and students will even receive a salary from their employer whilst working.

Networking Opportunities

Working in the digital marketing sector can provide many networking opportunities. These job roles often involve working with real clients, which can lead to valuable industry connections. Additionally, apprenticeships often involve attending industry events and conferences, which can provide opportunities to meet potential employers and industry leaders.

How do I apply for a digital marketing degree apprenticeship?

Applying for a degree apprenticeship doesn’t quite work the same as applying for a digital marketing degree. With apprenticeships, you apply through the training provider’s website itself.

The same advice applies though, remember to check any entry requirements for the course and any entry deadlines. Once you are satisfied that you meet the requirements, you will usually be asked to fill out a form online, along with a CV and a personal statement outlining why you would be a good choice for the course.

Training providers will then contact you, usually within a few weeks or months, to let you know the next steps. If you are successful in getting to the next step, you will usually be asked to attend an interview. Remember, it’s not just a course you are applying for, it’s a job as well.

We at Aqueous Digital hope this article has helped provide a better idea of the choices available to you and help decide your next steps in your education.

Higher education providers across the UK offer Digital Marketing Degrees and Degree Apprenticeships. The Development Manager, Anglia Ruskin Higher Education Corporation and East Surrey College offer Level 6-Degree Apprenticeships in Digital Marketing.

Many universities also offer both Digital Marketing Degrees and Degree Apprenticeships. Why not look at the map below to discover Digital Marketing Degree and Apprenticeship Opportunities near you?

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Aqueous Digital is also a keen advocate of kickstarting the careers of promising young digital marketers through Degree Apprenticeships. We’ve helped a number of people, such as our own digital marketing assistant Katie, take her first steps into the world of digital marketing, including being shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year with Halton Business Awards in 2022 and 2023

Read what Katie had to say on her 1st year with Aqueous Digital here as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2022

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