UNIVERSITY OR APPRENTICESHIP: HOW YOU COULD BE £35K BETTER OFF!!!

Today, we compare the cost of going to university against an apprenticeship and how much you could be better off!
National Apprenticeship Week is between 08th February and 14th February 21. I'm going to talk about why you should be seriously considering an apprenticeship as a viable alternative to university in becoming a qualified accountant.
Like, Share, and Subscribe!
If you have any questions please comment below or message me on Instagram:
/ fehzan_mehdi
You can also book in time with me to gain personalised advice on applications, interviews, career coaching & more! Click on the link below to find out more:
calendly.com/fehzanmehdi

[@hasnainmahmood1996]

Great video this really helped!

[@FehzanMehdi]

I’m glad it helped

[@mrspicyice5536]

Thanks man helps a lot❤️❤️

[@FehzanMehdi]

No worries glad it helped

[@hamzajamshaid5919]

Great advice bro 👍🏼❤️

[@FehzanMehdi]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@theloosenuts6672]

This was so helpful for me...Jazakumullahu khairan

[@FehzanMehdi]

Wa iyaak

[@kax7168]

Really like ur channel !

[@FehzanMehdi]

Thank you!

[@jetfly8345]

Really love the videos, could you do some revision tips and how difficult aat and Aca exams are? Thanks very much

[@FehzanMehdi]

Thanks for the feedback! I have done a video before called 3 revision tips but may revisit this and give a deeper insight!

[@jetfly8345]

@@FehzanMehdi Thank you! :)

[@pathofislam4757]

A lot of people do say having a degree is like a safe route to life as if anything goes bad with the company you work for the degree you have keeps you safe

[@FehzanMehdi]

Same with the professional qualification which is worth more than a degree! People study for a degree to then go on and become a qualified accountant! The likelihood of large firms such as the big 4 becoming bankrupt in the next 5 years are small!

[@IA-qk7ps]

Nice video, I’ve learnt so much more about accounting apprenticeships from you and if i hadn’t have watched this video I would have just thought about going to uni for an accounting degree. My question is wouldn’t a person with a degree earn more than an apprentice as a 2:1 in accounting is seen as more valuable than a apprenticeship to most employees or would employees be looking for just a qualification in the ACA? This is my only argument against apprenticeships and let’s say if I got ABB in my a levels would I be taken on by a good company for the apprenticeship?

[@FehzanMehdi]

Yes with ABB you would meet the entry requirements for most organisations and nope once you’re qualified the fact that you have a degree doesn’t mean anything won’t result in higher pay than someone who has just done an apprenticeship!

[@IA-qk7ps]

@@FehzanMehdi thats great to hear people normally visualise apprenticeships for people that have not done to we’ll at a levels and have no other choice but I feel like and apprenticeship would suit me as long as I can find a good company as i live in West Yorkshire where there aren’t many opportunities

[@FehzanMehdi]

You should be able to find some opportunities within regional firms of big organisations such as the top 10 firms

[@hasantariq869]

Hi I just looked at a programm called kpmg 360 apprenticeship where you rotate roles so you move from tax to consulting and deals advisory . You also get to get aca or cima or cta qualification so what’s the difference between the qualifications and what’s better audit or tax or deals ? And what qualification is best ? Thanks

[@FehzanMehdi]

Well it depends on what you want to specialise in. Depending on that you will study either the ACA, CTA, or CIMA. All 3 of those qualifications are decent! You can decide on which one in Year 4 so don’t have to make that decision now.

[@marine_navy]

Thank you so much for this video! I have a question. Can you apply for an apprenticeship as a foreigner, being in the UK as an Au-Pair? Thanks in advance!

[@FehzanMehdi]

It depends more on your right to work status if you can work without limitations and meet the entry requirements definitely apply

[@abdullahimohamed8194]

Assalamu Alaykum Fehzan, just a quick question. If someone picks an apprenticeship straight after GCSE, would they then be eligible to do a School Leaver Programme at 18. JZK

[@FehzanMehdi]

Wa alaykum as Salam Id say it would be a bit difficult as you’d probably do an AAT level 4 apprenticeship at most which last time I checked doesn’t hold any ucas points! I think it’s because it’s seen as the equivalent of a first year at uni! So you probably wouldn’t meet the ucas points requirements of a school leaver programme unless you have a levels or a btec on the side

[@talhahali4976]

salaam I am from the middlands and would you recommend moving to London doing school leavers because majority of school leavers are their.

[@FehzanMehdi]

Wa alaykum as Salam no as there will be opportunities in the midlands as well

[@pathofislam4757]

My only concern about apprenticeship is what if the company you work for goes bankrupt and because you have no degree wouldn’t it be harder to find jobs ?

[@FehzanMehdi]

Well your experience would come into play and you’re being trained in the ACA, ACCA etc so although you don’t have a degree you will have a professional qualification which is worth way more than a degree! Also any company can go bankrupt a degree doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a job elsewhere!

[@sean3342]

Hi I have a bachelor's degree from abroad with no accounting experience, would you recommend I take up an apprenticeship?

[@FehzanMehdi]

If it’s the equivalent of a university degree from the U.K. then you should be eligible for grad programmes. Apprenticeships are aimed at those without a university education

[@ahmedmauoosh8206]

What would u recommend for a school leaver if he or she has recieved a scholarship to fully fund all accommodations tuition fees and other costs. Would uni still be a better idea or should he or she still go with an apprenticeship programe

[@FehzanMehdi]

Tough choice because not many people have the option to have all their university costs paid. It depends on a number of factors - what career is that person looking to enter in the future? Maybe that career may require a degree which then makes it a no brainer that you should go to university. Secondly, what offers they have from an apprenticeship if it’s a top offer and there’s good exit opportunities then that may sound more appealing. There’s a lot of personal preferences which will come into this - but most will say go for uni - I’d say go for uni only if you’re going to do something on the side like a business or learn skills which will help you advance. If you’re just going to uni to enter a career where you don’t need a degree and you’re not going to push yourself then even if it’s all paid I’d say do an apprenticeship instead.

[@106._.]

Hi salam would It be better if I do apprenteship for electrical engineering or should I get a degree?

[@FehzanMehdi]

Wa alaykum as Salam depends on a number of factors: 1) Do you get the same professional qualification you would as an apprentice if you pursue this career after graduating? 2) Are there opportunities to progress after you complete the apprenticeship? 3) Salary - is it a decent salary or in line with the gov apprenticeship wage guidelines? Btw I wouldn’t say I’m an expert in electrical engineering so can only give limited guidance

[@1minutevideos331]

How about apprenticeships into different careers such as software engineering

[@FehzanMehdi]

Yes definitely KPMG have a scheme which enables you to get a degree as well!

[@sunilkumarreddyvelagacherl1488]

Hi,I had completed Acca papers and applied for msc accounting and finance with placement in Anglia Ruskin University for September,2021,can you suggest me job prospects after my msc and settlement in uk as I am an Indian.

[@FehzanMehdi]

That really depends on your visa status if you just have a study visa employers are unlikely to sponsor you for a grad role

[@sunilkumarreddyvelagacherl1488]

@@FehzanMehdi after msc I have two years psw right in that period getting a job is difficult,how difficult to secure training contract of aca ?

[@FehzanMehdi]

I think you will struggle as you will still need a visa after two years. Your visa status will most likely prevent you from securing.a grad role

[@ehsankarim2268]

what kind of apprenticeship should I apply for.i want an accounting job with good salary, holidays and travel oppurtunities with the company.could you suggest a route for me to take

[@FehzanMehdi]

A school leaver programme you can find these on the websites of Big 4 / Top 10 firms! Most of these will offer salaries around £22k, 5 year route to becoming a chartered accountant, and great progression for your career! Also search the ftse 100 as a lot of companies will offer similar programmes!

[@ehsankarim2268]

@@FehzanMehdi thank u so much

[@user-mn9fi3yz4k]

If you do the the PWC flying start degree how quicker does this make you charted then others? It has 12 exemptions

[@FehzanMehdi]

It will take you about 5 years - in the fifth year you’d complete your final 3 exams and hopefully clock up the remainder of the 450 days work experience requirement from the ICAEW

[@user-mn9fi3yz4k]

@@FehzanMehdi jzk for your reply what about if I studied info management or something unrelated I don't want to study a 'mikey mouse degree '

[@FehzanMehdi]

So if you went down the traditional uni route? Tbh I talk about this in one of my recent videos titled what should future chartered accountants study at uni - that would be beneficial for you

[@user-mn9fi3yz4k]

@@FehzanMehdi yes I have watched that video,what are the other opportunities with a management degree other than chartered accountanting because people say this is a soft course and that you should study comp sci or econ

[@FehzanMehdi]

Tbh most careers don’t specify a particular degree so you can study whatever you like at uni. Courses like computer science and economics are good if you want to go into that specific career or a technical role

[@hasantariq869]

Hi have you heard about the PWC flying start degree? It looks really good and you get a degree, paid work experience and a guaranteed job offer at the end of 4 year course and you will become a senior associate and chartered status just a year after graduation. Im looking to do this what do you think?

[@FehzanMehdi]

Yes that is a good scheme but correct me if I’m wrong you still end up paying for a degree although it’s slightly reduced because of the paid placements! Also you’re not guaranteed a grad role either! The degree is from a top university and maybe that’s the main thing you’re after however for me I’d still rather do an apprenticeship with another firm where I can avoid the debt!

[@hasantariq869]

@@FehzanMehdi yes but you’ll be earning during placements and if you get a 2:1 which 97% of the intake does take you will get a job offer. The best thing about it is that you get a degree from a Russel group and become charterd quite quickly and a you start as a senior associate within a year . Also I want a degree just in case I want to move to another career sector and an apprenticeship kinda prevents you from moving to another sector

[@FehzanMehdi]

Aha I don’t think you give the ICAEW qualification enough value - a former colleague of mine is now doing an MBA at City University and she’s the youngest in her class! So not having a degree isn’t necessarily a barrier to entry!

[@hasantariq869]

@@FehzanMehdi so if I get the icaew qualification would I be able to move into banking or another finance role? Also would it be possible for 6 figures by early 30s with apprenticeship?

[@FehzanMehdi]

Close to 6 figures - yes! Banking or finance role it depends on what you want to do! I don’t promote banking as it’s haram and money isn’t everything! But after icaew you could purse CFA, AMCT, or CTA qualifications which would make you a qualified financial analyst, in treasury, or tax advisor

[@sonumumbaikar]

I am on dependant visa tier 2 can I do apprenticeship?

[@FehzanMehdi]

It depends how long do you have left on the visa and whether it will cover the length of the apprenticeship? If your visa expires part way through the apprenticeship you may find it more difficult to secure a role.

[@sonumumbaikar]

ACTULLY I AM ON TIER 2 DEPENDANT VISA IN UK

[@ytt3853]

bro do you live in uk and is acca a good also i am planning to becane a acca so should i do apprentaship

[@FehzanMehdi]

Yes U.K. born and bred! Yes deffo recommend an apprenticeship which most likely will train you up in ACA - which is a similar qualification! Both are highly respected

[@ytt3853]

@@FehzanMehdi salam i have chosen btec business level 3 which is equal to 3 a levels and hopefully next i will apply for acca appprentiship but how do i apply it?and where do i apply it which company i have no clue

[@ytt3853]

also fehzan bahi how much would i payed in my first year as a acca

[@FehzanMehdi]

Wa alaykum as Salam two videos I’d recommend for you to get more info on my channel: How much an accountant makes.... School Leaver & Apprenticeship route Those should give you a better idea!

[@ytt3853]

do i need a levels to became a acca or is btec fine

[@rdgn46_]

However if your parents support you with your university fees I think university is better in the long run

[@FehzanMehdi]

Could be but many people may not have that support