Professor Janice Kay and Phillip Paige (photo: Jim Wileman)

J.P. Morgan and University of Exeter partner to offer UK’s first financial services apprenticeship with Russell Group degree

Building on the success of its established apprenticeship scheme, J.P. Morgan is partnering with the University of Exeter to deliver Financial Services Apprenticeships to degree level. 

This marks the first time a Russell Group university has provided apprentice training at degree level in this subject area for a global financial services firm.

In October 2018 applications will open for the new Level 6 Financial Services Apprenticeship programme – beginning October 2019 – which enables individuals to both ‘earn as they learn’ and ultimately, complete a degree BSc (Hons) in Applied Finance from Exeter. This is in addition to two professional qualifications obtained from the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI).

Once apprentices have completed the existing 18 month Level 4 Financial Services Apprenticeship programme, they will move on to the two year Level 6 programme. Both incorporate one day of study per week.

The partnership brings the firm’s Financial Services Apprenticeship offering in line with its established Technology Degree Apprenticeship, where in four years apprentices can gain a BSc (Hons) in Digital Technology Solutions. The Technology Degree Apprenticeship will be delivered by Exeter from September 2019.

“We see this as a game-changer,” said Phillip Paige, Executive Director and UK Early Years Careers Lead at J.P. Morgan. “Many of our apprentices have told us that they would like to receive a degree and this is an opportunity for us to give a diverse group of people the benefit of an Exeter University education. We have no doubt that this partnership will help us attract even stronger candidates to our programmes.”

“We are delighted to sign this agreement with J.P. Morgan,” said Professor Janice Kay, Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter. “Through this groundbreaking partnership, people enrolled on these apprenticeships will gain a qualification from a Russell Group university while simultaneously working for a leading financial firm.”

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “This kind of collaboration underlines the value of high quality technical education not just to individuals but to employers as well. Degree and degree level apprenticeships mean leading businesses and universities can come together and design innovative programmes to give people the skills employers really need. It’s great to see a global business like J.P. Morgan getting involved like this and I would urge others to follow their lead.”

In addition to providing apprentices with the option of pursuing a degree, J.P. Morgan is targeting its existing Bournemouth employee population with a Senior Leader  MBA Apprenticeship from the University of Exeter Business School. This is a Level 7 apprenticeship which will allow the Firm to develop high-performing managers internally and will be open to external candidates in future.

“This innovative partnership with J.P. Morgan demonstrates the strong relations we have with industry and how highly leading employers rate our education provision,” said Professor David Bruce Allen, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the University of Exeter Business School.  “We look forward to working with J.P. Morgan employees at all levels of the firm to provide exceptional educational programmes.”

Date: 17 September 2018