The duration of an apprenticeship, like any other course, is determined by the sector you want to work in and the degree of certification you want.
You are, in any case, committing to a particular career path, not merely a topic area.
As a result, you must ensure that the programme you choose can picture yourself doing long-term in an industrial field you wish to explore. Not merely the next logical step.
Here’s how long each level of apprenticeship should last:
| Apprenticeship bracket | Level | Equivalent academic level | Approximate length of apprenticeship |
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSEs at A* – C | A minimum of 1 year |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A-Level passes | Between 15 – 18 months |
| Higher | 4, 5, 6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above | Between 3 and 5 years |
| Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor’s and Master’s degree | Between 3 and 6 years |