Sponsored university degrees

What is a sponsored degree in STEM?

Concerned about the financial burden that comes with university? A sponsored degree might be the answer!

A sponsored degree offers you the unique opportunity to pay less for a full-time university degree through support from a company in your STEM field of interest. Companies offer degree sponsorship in return for your participation in work experience and, often, your agreement to work for them when you qualify.

This guide will help you understand how sponsored degrees work, the benefits they offer, and how to secure one. It will also explain the key differences between sponsored degrees and degree apprenticeships, helping you choose the best path for your STEM career aspirations.

What sponsored degrees are there in STEM?

Sponsored degrees are particularly well-suited to STEM fields, as their blend of education and practical work develops essential transferable skills for STEM careers. Many companies offer sponsorship for STEM degrees because they recognise the value of employees who not only have strong university-level knowledge but are familiar with the company’s operations, thanks to their practical experience.

Unlike traditional university degrees, sponsored degree options are often limited to courses and universities that companies choose to support. Most companies only sponsor specific degrees that align with their workforce needs, while a few may offer sponsorship for a wider range of degrees.

Here, you can explore examples of sponsored degrees available across each STEM discipline. To search for all your options, follow our advice on how to find a STEM degree.

• Science: Sponsored nursing associate course, available at Buckinghamshire New University, University of East London or The Open University
• Technology: Capgemini’s sponsored degree in computing
• Engineering: Royal Airforce sponsored degree in engineering, for those who plan to join the RAF as an Engineer/ Cyberspace Officer
• Mathematics: PWC’s accounting degree sponsorship, available at the University of Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, Reading, and Queen Mary University of London

Sponsorship opportunities are available across multiple STEM fields, and the level of degree a company will sponsor can range from bachelor’s to master’s degrees.
What is a sponsored master’s degree?

A sponsored master’s degree in the UK is a popular option because, unlike a bachelor’s degree, government funding often falls short of covering the full cost of a master’s degree, and maintenance loans are unavailable. Therefore, many students turn to sponsored degrees as a way to pursue a postgraduate education.

Beyond advancing your education, sponsored master’s degrees allow you to establish strong connections within your chosen STEM industry, creating a smoother transition into the workplace upon graduation.

How do STEM sponsored degrees work?

There are two main components to a sponsored degree: employment and education. However, there are many pathways into STEM that combine practical skills with academic learning, so what sets a sponsored degree apart?

Unlike other pathways, sponsored degrees place a heavier emphasis on academics, allowing you to study full-time like any other other student. A STEM-sponsored degree is one of the few options offering a full-time university degree with interspersed work placements at the sponsoring company. Your employment fits around your studies, often taking place during holidays or time off. For example, PNWs accounting sponsored degree sets aside a few terms for work and training, whilst the RAF requires summer work.

From application to completion, sponsored degrees tend to conform to the following steps:

1. A selection of sponsored degree options are identified
2. Applications are sent to the corresponding university courses
3. The student is accepted onto a course
4. Applications are sent for sponsorship (which can be done before course acceptance)
5. The student is accepted into a sponsored degree
6. An agreement is signed by the sponsoring company and the student
7. The sponsoring company provides financial support to the student in different ways, depending on their specific agreement
8. The student attends university and works for the company during time off
9. Upon graduation, the student is usually required to work for the company for a specified period of time

A typical year of a STEM sponsored degree student

Sponsored degree students often have busy schedules, as they must balance both university studies and work placements. During term time, these students are expected to attend classes and focus on their studies full-time like other students. However, during holidays or designated placement periods, they work for their sponsoring company, applying what they’ve learned in a real-world context.

The image below shows a typical year for a STEM sponsored degree student, compared with the timetable for a non-sponsored, traditional university student:

How much do sponsored degrees pay?

The financial support provided by a sponsoring company can vary based on the company and the field of study. This support may include coverage of university fees, bursaries, or scholarships.

Bursaries are monetary payments which do not need to be repaid and are usually awarded to all students enrolled in a sponsorship programme.
Scholarships are competitive and are awarded to students who meet particular criteria. They usually provide a higher level of support compared to bursaries.

While there are scholarships and bursaries for non-sponsored degrees, those associated with sponsored degrees are generally more substantial due to the work commitment involved.

University fee cover involves sponsors paying either the full, or partial cost of tuition. Occasionally, additional support with maintenance fees is included.

Some companies offer a combination of compensation options. For example, the Royal Air Force provides a £5000 bursary per academic year, covers tuition fees up to £9250, and offers up to £1500 for 30 days of training.

How to get a sponsored degree?

How to find a STEM sponsored degree?

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There are two main methods for finding a sponsored degree:

1. Applying to advertised opportunities: Some companies advertise their ability to sponsor degrees on their websites or comparison sites. These opportunities often involve pre-established sponsorship contracts for specific degrees at particular universities, with set entry requirements and work agreements.
2. Reaching out to companies speculatively: This proactive method involves directly contacting a companies that you believe may offer you sponsorship for the university course you are interested in. Often, companies will sponsor their current employees who express an interest in furthering their education, as it benefits them to have staff with more advanced training.

In practice, most sponsored degree opportunities are discovered through speculative enquiries. Few STEM sponsored degrees are advertised, and many of those that tend to be degree apprenticeship programmes that are incorrectly labelled as ‘sponsored degrees’.

How to find advertised STEM sponsored degree opportunities:

• School career services: Have a list of companies offering sponsored degrees
• Sites advertising sponsored degrees: Sponsored Degree and Scholarship Hub

How to make a speculative enquiry:

To increase your chances of a positive response when making speculative enquiries about sponsored degrees, follow these best practices:

• Contact the right people: Demonstrate your understanding of the company’s structure by contacting the appropriate departments, such as hiring, HR, or talen acquisition. These are typically the teams responsible for handling sponsorship requests.
• Use the right means of contact: Email is usually the most effective method for communicating your request, as it allows you to share all the information needed for your enquiry in a clear and traceable way. You could also attend careers fairs and networking events, or use platforms such as LinkedIn, to meet employers organically and discuss the possibility of sponsorship.

When reaching out to companies directly, there is no guarantee of their interest as there is with an advertised opportunity. Therefore, it is important to first explain your sponsorship proposition and why you have specifically chosen their company, before jumping into the application itself.

• Firstly, make your case: In your first communication with a company, clearly and concisely explain that you are looking for degree sponsorship and specify how much you need. This should include tuition, exams, textbooks, and living expenses.
• Then, streamline the process: To facilitate a quicker response and demonstrate your organisational skills, include your CV and cover letter with your enquiry. This helps the company assess your request more efficiently and shows that you are well-prepared.

What is the application process for STEM sponsored degrees?

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Going to university without accumulating lots of debt is attractive to lots of students. Unfortunately, comparatively few companies offer sponsored degrees, making the application process for STEM sponsored degrees extremely competitive. By following the following guidance and understanding the application process, you can increase your chances of successfully securing a sponsored degree.

Meeting entry requirements
Companies set their own eligibility requirements for sponsorship, which typically include achieving high grades. This is because strong academic performance indicates your ability to manage the demands of a full-time degree while meeting the company’s work expectations.

You must also satisfy the entry requirements for your chosen university course, which can be found on the course page of the university’s website.

Creating a sponsored degree application

Ensure you have a well-prepared CV and a cover letter to stand out from other applications and persuade a company that you are worth investing in. Use our CV and cover letter template to create these, and follow the checklist below to tailor your application for a sponsored degree specifically.

Outcomes of sponsored degree graduates

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Sponsored degree graduates enjoy enhanced career prospects thanks to their established position within the sponsoring company, which often includes a requirement to work there post-graduation. This arrangement simplifies their transition into their first STEM role, allowing them to focus on their exams rather than job applications. For example, the RAF requires their sponsored degree students to commit to a minimum of three years of service out of a twelve-year contract.

Additionally, the work experience gained during a sponsored degree programme boosts employability across other companies as well. Unlike many graduates who leave university without practical experience, sponsored degree graduates possess valuable, transferable skills that make them stand out in the job market.

Finally, sponsored degree students are often in a better financial position compared to their peers, giving them the flexibility to carefully select their career opportunities or take a gap year.

Pros and cons of sponsored degrees

A sponsored degree offers several advantages, but it might not be the right choice for everyone. The benefits and drawbacks can vary depending on individual preferences. For instance, some students may appreciate the job security provided by a guaranteed position after graduation, while others might be concerned about the commitment and prefer more flexibility in their career choices.

To help you evaluate whether a sponsored degree aligns with your goals, we’ve provided a pros and cons table below. Consider creating your own list to assess what excites you about a sponsored degree and what might deter you. This exercise will help you determine if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Additionally, you can join discussions in the comment section to explore the pros and cons with others who are also navigating their pathway into STEM.

Pros of sponsored degrees	Cons of sponsored degrees
Reduces university costs	Don’t usually account for extra costs of commuting, equipment, and living costs
Smoother transition into work post-university	Few sponsorship opportunities available with limited choice of course and university – the employer usually picks for you
Blend of work and study	Balancing work and study can be hard
Improves employment likelihood upon graduation	Not actively employed so you don’t receive an ongoing wage
The workload is more manageable than part-time work alongside study	Degrees with year-long placements extend duration of the degree Those with work during holidays skip important rest, relaxation, or revision time
Gain familiarity with that company or field	Must adhere to working agreements of the contract, even after graduating
Gain practical experience and transferable skills	Need a clear career path in mind
Real-world experience	Less freedom to explore other careers and harder to change your mind down the line
Applying for sponsorship shows initiative	Not always guaranteed a job with sponsor after graduating
Obtaining sponsorship can demonstrate that you are a highly sought-after student	High entry requirements
Improves your working confidence	May feel out of your depth at work
Networking and mentoring opportunities	Less time to socialise at university

Sponsored degree vs degree apprenticeships

Sponsored degrees and degree apprenticeships are frequently confused. To help, PMT Education clearly outlined the differences between sponsored degrees and degree apprenticeships in the table below:

	Sponsored degree	Degree apprenticeship
Top priority	Studying	Paid work
Mode of study	Full-time Usually in person	Part-time Usually distance
Graduation requirement	Pass university modules Often achieve a set grade	Pass university modules Pass practical training
Degree duration	3 years (bachelor’s) 1-2 years (master’s)	4+ years (bachelor’s 2+ years (master’s)
Period of work	Holidays or after university	Throughout the workweek
Opportunity	Hard to find Fewer available	More advertised Easier to get into
Financial support	Tuition fees reduced/ covered Occasionally paid to work	Tuition fees covered Always paid full-time salary
Training	Variable	Meets a set, high standard

Sponsored degrees are an excellent choice if you prioritise studying full-time and are career-focused, willing to integrate practical work into your university schedule to alleviate financial pressures. However, if your primary goal is to gain industry experience without the financial concerns, a placement year during your studies might offer a more flexible approach.

Alternatively, if you prefer to have a paid job while pursuing a degree gradually, a degree apprenticeship may be a better option for you. You can read about this alternative route into STEM in our degree apprenticeship article.

FAQs

What happens if a company decides to stop sponsoring your degree?

Unfortunately, if a sponsor backs out then the responsibility for payment of tuition fees resides with you. You will be charged for any/all of the outstanding tuition fees.

What happens if you fail a sponsored degree?

What happens if you fail a sponsored degree, depends on the agreement you have with your sponsor. It is very important to establish the details of your agreement with your sponsor before starting university. If passing your degree is part of the contract, failing to complete your degree successfully could result in a breach of agreement. In such cases, you might be required to repay the financial support provided by the sponsor.

 

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