Introduction to apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at CUH

Apprenticeships at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) are available to both internal and external candidates and provide accessible pathways into a wide range of occupational and professional careers. Programmes are available from entry level through to degree-level qualifications, enabling individuals to develop their skills, knowledge and experience while earning and learning. Apprenticeships also provide routes into registered healthcare professions, including Healthcare Science, Allied Health Professions and Nursing.

For further information about how apprenticeships work and the different qualification levels available, please visit Apprenticeships Explained

At CUH, we are committed to creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality learning and development opportunities, regardless of their age, experience or career stage. Apprenticeships support social mobility by helping individuals gain valuable skills, recognised qualifications and meaningful employment, enabling them to achieve their long-term career aspirations.

We offer apprenticeship opportunities for:

School and college leavers taking their first steps into the NHS
Individuals seeking a new career or returning to work
People looking to progress within their chosen profession
Existing members of staff wishing to develop new skills, gain qualifications and enhance their future career prospects

Apprenticeships at CUH

CUH Apprenticeship Programmes

We continue to expand our apprenticeship offer across a growing range of professions and occupations, where apprenticeships can support workforce development, enhance skills and create sustainable career pathways.

Direct Entry Apprenticeships

(Typically lasting 15-24 months)

Direct Entry Apprenticeships are primarily aimed at external applicants and provide an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop workplace skills and achieve a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification. These fixed-term positions are ideal for individuals who are new to a profession, entering employment for the first time, or looking to develop their skills in a new career area.

Apprenticeship opportunities are available across a range of services and professions, including:

Administration and Customer Service
Pharmacy
Healthcare Science
Estates and Facilities
Corporate and Professional Services

For further information on apprenticeship routes and salaries, please visit our Direct Entry Apprenticeships page.

Recruitment takes place throughout the year, depending on organisational and departmental vacancies. Current opportunities can be viewed on our Current Vacancies page by selecting the apprenticeships category. You can also register for Job Alerts to receive notifications of new opportunities.

If no vacancies are currently advertised, or if you would like to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities, please contact the Work Opportunities Team using the details provided at the bottom of this page.

Apprenticeship Career Progression Pathways

Career Progression Apprenticeships enable employees to continue working in their substantive role while undertaking a funded apprenticeship programme with dedicated study time. These permanent opportunities support workforce development and professional advancement, with many leading to higher or degree-level qualifications.

Examples include:

Healthcare Science
Biomedical Science
Allied Health Professions (including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Operating Department Practice)
Nursing

Further information on these pathways can be found in the sections below.

In addition, permanent members of staff can access a range of shorter apprenticeship programmes designed to support ongoing professional development. These apprenticeships include but are not limited to areas such as:

Finance
Human Resources
Project Management
Leadership and Management
Digital and Data
Business and Administrative Services

Through our apprenticeship programmes, CUH is committed to supporting continuous learning, developing talent and creating inclusive career pathways that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Types of apprenticeships available at CUH

View the links below for the different types of apprenticeships currently available. Also click the links on the drop down menu to the left or top of the page for more information on how they work.

See some examples of our apprentices and their stories!

David - Pharmacy

Amina and Khadija - ODP

Ellie - Digital communications

External Candidates

If you are an external candidate you will note below that some of the career progression apprenticeships are currently only accessible to those already in CUH employment. However, this should not deter you as there are often opportunities to apply for assistant job roles within departments that will then provide access to development so that you can apply as an internal candidate.

Exceptions to this apply to the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship where there is an opportunity to apply for this route at any time externally as our Healthcare Support Worker Pathway.

Take a look at our current vacancies for current roles, or alternatively to find out if there are forthcoming apprenticeship opportunities in your preferred job/career choice get in touch:

If we do not currently have a vacancy you are interested in you can sign up to our job alerts (opens in a new tab) to have any vacancies in areas of interest delivered directly to your inbox.