The inspection, carried out in March 2026, found that Sheffield Hallam’s apprenticeship provision enables learners to make excellent progress and achieve highly. Inspectors praised Sheffield Hallam’s innovative and inclusive approach to apprenticeship design and delivery, noting that apprentices are treated as a full and valued part of the wider student community.
The report recognised how leaders have successfully managed rapid growth while increasing achievement and improving quality, ensuring apprentices are well prepared for the next steps in their careers.
Professor Liz Mossop, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are delighted with this Ofsted outcome, which recognises the strength, care and ambition that underpin our apprenticeship provision.
“The report rightly highlights our inclusive culture and the dedication of our staff and coaches who work tirelessly to ensure apprentices feel valued, supported and able to succeed. I’d like to personally thank everyone involved in our apprenticeship provision and the Ofsted process. Apprenticeships are central to Sheffield Hallam’s ambition to drive future economies and support our region’s skills and economic priorities, and we are proud to see the positive impact our apprentices are making in their professions and communities.”
Sheffield Hallam University began offering degree apprenticeships in 2015 and its provision has grown significantly over the last decade. The University now has more than 3,300 apprentices and is one of the largest UK higher education providers of higher and degree apprenticeships.
The University delivers apprenticeships in areas including construction, health, digital and engineering working in partnership with regional, national and international employer partners including Network Rail, GXO, South Yorkshire Police, Barratt Redrow, Cranswick and NHS Trusts across the country.
The recent inspection rated the University’s provision strong for inclusion; leadership and governance; achievement and participation and development. It received expected standard for curriculum and teaching.
Apprenticeship achievement was judged to be strong, with apprentices developing “substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours and apply these confidently in their workplaces”. Inspectors noted that many Sheffield Hallam apprentices “take on greater responsibility during their programmes and progress to more senior roles”.
The report found that “leaders are highly respected in their region and beyond, building long-standing partnerships with stakeholders based on mutual respect, support and challenge”. Leaders are “valued as a partner by stakeholders, contributing to driving economic and skills strategies in the region”, according to inspectors.
Inspectors also recognised the extensive subject and professional expertise of academic staff, finding that “many maintain close links with their industries and use this knowledge to teach complex ideas clearly and to keep content current”.
Coaches were also recognised for knowing apprentices well and for the high-quality training they undertake to support learners effectively. Inspectors found that apprentices receive “highly effective, personalised support” and that “they articulate clearly and enthusiastically how this has benefitted them in their studies and lives”.
Dan Lally, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Sheffield Hallam University said: “This Ofsted outcome is an incredibly proud moment for everyone connected to our apprenticeship provision. We have fundamentally transformed both the scale and quality of our offer — growing to more than 3,300 apprentices while putting inclusive design, strong leadership and high-quality delivery at the heart of everything we do. Achieving strong judgements across four of the five areas reflects the sustained commitment of our colleagues, apprentices, and employer partners. It is particularly pleasing to see Ofsted recognise how effectively we have managed rapid growth while improving outcomes, increasing achievement rates and ensuring apprentices are well prepared to progress in their careers.”
Degree apprenticeships are an alternative route to a degree qualification. They combine paid work with part-time study at a university. Programmes are developed by employers, universities, and professional bodies working in partnership to address regional and national skills needs.
Sharon Smith, Director of Skills and Partnerships at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “This great outcome is recognition for everyone involved who really did showcase what we are great at and how we transform the lives of our apprentices through our approach to applied learning and how we have been working tirelessly to improve their learning experience with us. This outcome is also tribute to the contributions, commitment and professionalism of all our apprentices, mentors, employers and partners.”
The inspection took place under Ofsted’s updated inspection framework introduced last year. The new approach replaces the previous single-word grades with a five-point scale and more detailed evaluations across key areas of provision.
Read the full report.
