With the rising cost of college tuition, more and more students are looking for alternatives to higher education. Some opt to get their degrees at online schools while others choose to learn and master in-demand skills such as coding, copywriting, editing and graphic design on their own.
It was previously reported that vocational or trade school is also a good alternative to traditional college. It is perfect for kinesthetic learners because it involves learning and working with one's hands rather than sitting in a classroom all day. Plus, certificate holders have been found to earn 20 percent more on average than high school graduates.
According to BBC, there is another option for students who don't want to be burdened by college debt when they graduate. Degree apprenticeships allow students to earn their degrees and work full-time.
19-year-old Radhika Parmar is one of the few who grabbed the opportunity for a degree apprenticeship. She works full-time at IT consultancy Capgemini as an applications consultant and, at the same time, studies for her degree.
When she finishes her four-and-a-half-year course, she will be awarded a BSc Hons Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions. Moreover, she is not going to be encumbered with college debt since the government covers two-thirds of the costs of her education while her employer pays a third.
Degree apprenticeships were introduced by the U.K. government last year. Most programs are available in engineering and technology. Apprentices earn an average salary of £17,511 (about $21,000) which is expected to rise to £24,652 (about $30,000).
"Everything I'll learn during my degree I'll be putting into practice in my job," Parmar said. "Whereas if I'd gone to university, I'd just be learning lots of things, but it wouldn't necessarily mean that I'd be able to implement them into my day-to-day job."
BBC's Education correspondent, Sean Coughlan, noted that there has been a rise in the number of young people wanting to go to university. Making them see the benefits of degree apprenticeships "is going to be very difficult," he said.
