Apprenticeships changed in 2017 and are now open to anyone regardless of their previous education – so you can get an apprenticeship if you have a degree.
The only exception is that you cannot undertake an apprenticeship in a field you are already qualified within that field.
AAT qualifications that can be incorporated into an Accounting apprenticeship are:
- AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting
- AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
- AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting
A bachelor’s degree is a Level 6 qualification. If you have a degree in accounting or finance, then you would not be able to undertake an accounting apprenticeship (as you are already more qualified than the apprenticeship level). However, if you have a degree in an unrelated subject then you will be eligible (as you have not already achieved qualifications in that sector).
As apprenticeships are government funded, this rule ensures that public money is not being spent on training people who are already qualified to work within a particular field.
You can find more information about government apprenticeships here.
