Graduate apprenticeships in Scotland: Edinburgh Napier University launches new course in accounting

Edinburgh Napier University

Graduate apprenticeships are an ideal route for employees to gain a fully funded degree through their job, and bring fresh knowledge to their workplace.

Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has built a reputation for offering graduate apprenticeships that help people succeed in their careers.

"Our graduate apprenticeships meet critical skills needs in Scotland, and they are delivered where there is a strong labour demand,” says graduate apprenticeship delivery manager Scott Killen.

"We are a university for business: we have designed courses which make people employable and career-ready, and we have longstanding experience of running successful work-based learning programmes."

Employers looking to invest in early career talent or upskill their staff will be excited to hear about the city’s newest graduate apprenticeship, the first of its kind for the region.

ENU recently unveiled a new MAcc Accounting programme which will combine technical knowledge with theoretical understanding. Find out more today at www.napier.ac.uk/study-with-us/apprenticeships/macc-accounting-ga

Become a chartered certified accountant on a fully funded placement

The five-year course begins in September and is ideal for anyone working in accounting, business or finance who wants to take a step forward with their career, says Dr Matthew Bonnett, who will lead the new programme.

“We've got a fantastic programme laid out with high-quality lecturers and tutors ready to help people along,” he says. “And this is a journey that I've taken before myself so I can't wait to help other people through.”

Apprentices will work in their jobs Monday to Thursday, then Friday will be study day; this will be mostly live online learning, with two Fridays per term spent on campus.

Matthew says it’s a great opportunity to upskill employees and also enables businesses to gain insights into the latest tech or tools.

“In those four days they'll be learning on the job, then in the classroom they'll be learning about theories, concepts and practices that they will be using the other four days a week,” he explains. “They can take what's in the classroom and apply it to the other four days of practice. And they can take what they've experienced during the week - whether it's talking about technical issues of conducting audits or compiling tax computations - then come to the classes on the Friday and ask about it.

“It's really an accelerated method where you're working and learning at the same time: it's a lot easier if you're actually implementing it and not just reading it in a textbook. And it also takes that financial pressure off: we know it's very expensive to be a full-time student.”

Apprentices will emerge fully qualified: you will gain a degree in accounting then a Masters, as well as complete all the exams of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and gain the work experience required for full membership.

It’s the first apprenticeship of its kind in the Edinburgh area and the benefits for employers are clear. All graduate apprenticeships are 100% funded through Scottish Funding Council. This means the course will be ideal for someone working in an entry level role for a Scottish company who wants to become a fully qualified chartered accountant and share their new skills with their workplace.

"It's a chance to work with a university that knows exactly what's happening in the profession,” adds Matthew, who has been a fellow of the ACCA for almost two decades.

“When you think of Napier, you think of a university that's close to the professions. And this puts us in lockstep with local organisations: we're working with them to help to upskill their employees while also providing students with a pathway that helps them with on-the-job training at the same time as a full Master’s level university degree.”

New course has industry backing

Offering a more practical and accessible route to higher education, the new accounting graduate apprenticeship has the full backing of the ACCA, a globally recognised professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide.

"We are a profession that still experiences skill shortages so we need to encourage more people to come into the accountancy profession," says Susan Love, who leads strategic engagement for ACCA in Scotland.

She points out that AI and sustainability are among the factors changing the profession rapidly, "which is why we need up-to-date qualifications for people to adapt to that changing world. We really value a diverse workforce and that's why we strongly support multiple pathways into becoming a professionally qualified accountant."

The addition of another graduate apprenticeship in accounting, and the first in south-east Scotland, means there are more options open to people who want to become accountants, whether that’s those who thought uni too expensive, people looking to switch careers later in life or women who have traditionally been under-represented in finance.

"From our point of view, it helps us diversify the profession and opens it up to new people. Graduate apprenticeships like this one help us work with universities to keep routes into accountancy relevant and up-to-date.

"People might have a particular perception that you have to do a traditional accountancy degree in order to become an accountant, and nothing could be further from the truth," she adds. "There are already different routes in, but this adds yet another pathway into the profession for people in Scotland. The benefit to the profession is that it opens up deeper study and upskilling to people who might not have felt like the university route was open to them."

As well as opening doors for a wider pool of learners, the benefits to an employer are clear-cut, adds Susan.

"When you speak to employers, they really value that practical learning offered by a graduate apprenticeship. This offers the benefits of an in-work training scheme with that higher level of technical knowledge that employees still need in order to become qualified accountants.

"And because it is funded, it is regarded as a cost-efficient route; it's a good way to upskill your existing workforce, especially for smaller businesses that don't have scope for a continuous pipeline of trainees."

The new course also offers a faster route than traditional pathways, she explains: “A key benefit of the graduate apprenticeship model for employers looking to train and hire professional accountants is that the learner undertakes the accountancy degree combined with professional qualification, whilst working.

“Crucially, they can achieve their professional ACCA qualification and degree whilst earning and building up work experience within five years instead of seven or more years.”

Study at a university that puts your career first

Since it launched its first graduate apprenticeships in 2017, ENU has seen a huge rise in interest in this route – which makes degree-level education more accessible to everyone.

From just 26 apprentices in tech subjects, they now train nearly 500 apprentices across a broad range of subjects. And like Susan Love from the ACCA, Scott Killen, the university’s graduate apprenticeship delivery manager, is passionate about the opportunities that have been opened up as a result.

"There's no maximum age limit and the funding is not income-dependent," he explains. "Graduate apprenticeships are open to employees whether you're a student straight from school or changing career or an existing employee who is looking to upskill."

It can be difficult for employers to retain their best graduates, but investing in an employee's development can pay off as you're able to mould the work-ready individual that has the skills your business needs.

In the latest graduate outcomes survey, 96% of ENU's graduate apprentices who responded are now in managerial positions. "That really demonstrates the impact on business and the return on investment," continues Scott. "These people are getting promoted and climbing the career ladder as they stay with their employers.

"These are fully funded programmes so there are no added training costs for the apprentice or employer, but the employer is investing 20% of their employee's working time so they need something to come back from that. And we're actually seeing that in practice. The vast majority of people who successfully complete the course are moving on to more senior positions with the company which has invested in their training and development."

Not only are the apprenticeships a great return on investment for employers but they're helping break down barriers to allow people to move forward with their career ambitions and boost their earning potential.

"What we've seen is people who never would have previously thought of university have got their degree through the Graduate Apprenticeship route. and are going on to really flourish in their careers, he adds. "We see very high retention rates in the programmes. We've now seen four cohorts of graduates come out with very strong results – some of them are even returning to mentor our current apprentices."

Edinburgh Napier University

How to find out more

Explore the new MAcc graduate apprenticeship at ENU here.

As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we welcome employers to a Business Breakfast on Wednesday 4 March, 9–11am, exploring how Graduate Apprenticeships can strengthen and future‑proof their workforce. A panel of apprentices and employers will share first-hand insights, success stories and guidance on the impact and return on investment GA's can deliver in the workplace - plus complimentary breakfast!

Get in touch with [email protected] to find our more or register for the event here: Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026 Business Breakfast