York St John University’s School of the Arts is launching a brand-new Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship this September, offering a fresh route for local creatives and employers looking to develop future-ready digital talent.
Are you a local creative looking to progress your career, or a York-based employer with a creative workforce? York St John University’s new Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship could offer a valuable opportunity to earn, learn and develop the skills needed for today’s fast-moving creative and digital industries.
Launching in September 2026, the Level 6 apprenticeship gives apprentices the opportunity to work towards a BSc (Hons) Creative Digital Design qualification while remaining employed in a relevant creative, digital, marketing or design-related role.
The programme has been designed to support aspiring and early-career creative professionals, while also helping employers develop new talent, upskill existing staff and strengthen their in-house creative capability. It combines academic study with workplace learning, allowing apprentices to apply new ideas and techniques directly to real projects within their organisation.
Throughout the course, apprentices will develop digital, strategic, creative and collaborative skills across areas including digital design, visual communication, UX research, prototyping, creative strategy, project management and emerging technologies such as AR, VR, AI and immersive media.
The apprenticeship runs over 3.5 years, including End Point Assessment, with delivery based around one day per week of off-the-job training alongside workplace learning. Apprentices will study with a team of industry-expert lecturers, designers and technologists, and will be supported by an Academic Tutor, Work-Based Learning Tutors and a workplace mentor.
For apprentices, the course offers the chance to earn while they learn, with no need for a student loan. They will work towards a nationally recognised qualification, build a professional portfolio and develop the confidence to communicate ideas, deliver creative digital solutions and respond to real-world business challenges.
For employers, the programme offers a structured and cost-effective way to grow creative skills from within. It can help organisations retain and develop talent, support workforce planning, make strategic use of the Apprenticeship Levy or available funding routes, and ensure teams stay up to date with the latest industry knowledge and innovations.
The course is structured across three key stages. Year 1 focuses on building foundations in creative digital design, Year 2 develops specialism and strategic thinking, and Year 3 prepares apprentices for professional practice and industry readiness. The final stage includes the creation of an industry-standard portfolio and project work as part of the End Point Assessment.
Apprentices will also have access to York St John University’s wider support, including its virtual learning environment, library, student support services, Students’ Union, networking opportunities and facilities at the York campus.
Simon Bowen, Apprenticeship Programme Designer, said: “Beyond learning digital design, via this apprenticeship, you can become a socially engaged, reflective, innovative and commercially savvy Citizen Designer.”
Professor Helen Julia Minors, Head of the School of Arts, added: “This innovative course is designed to develop the next generation of creative professionals to be equipped with the digital, strategic, creative and collaborative skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
“We look forward to supporting you on your journey to becoming a confident, capable, innovative and industry-ready creative digital design professional.”
York St John University has also been recognised nationally for the quality and impact of its apprenticeship provision, including being named one of the Top 50 Training Providers in the UK, winning Best Apprenticeship at the Educate North Awards 2025, and receiving a ‘Good’ Ofsted grading in 2024.
Expressions of interest and employer enquiries are open now, with the current deadline extended until 26th June 2026.
As this is a degree apprenticeship, interested applicants should speak to their employer, who will need to register with York St John University before the application process can move forward.
For more information or to register your interest, visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/degree-apprenticeships/#creative-digital-design-professional-degree-apprenticeship or contact the apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@yorksj.ac.uk.
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