Superdrug: does its rise up apprenticeships sponsor a UK visa?

No published policySuperdrug Rise Up Apprenticeships (Learn, Level Up, Lead On: Retailer Level 2, Team Leader)

Unconfirmed. Superdrug publishes no sponsorship policy for its rise up apprenticeships, so we cannot state a firm answer. Superdrug runs a three tier apprenticeship badged Rise Up: Learn for entry level retail, Level Up as a step into management, and Lead On as a step into leadership. The entry tier is a 13 month programme paying from GBP 377 per week over 39 hours, with a live Apprentice Retail Sales Assistant vacancy in Birmingham quoting GBP 9.75 per hour. The training design is the unusual part: all of it happens in store over the first 12 months, with no college days and no homework, ending in a professional discussion and an observation of the apprentice doing the job, leading to a Retailer Level 2 Apprenticeship accredited by Highfield. The qualification is fully funded by Superdrug and the apprentice earns a full time wage throughout. Published eligibility is at least a grade 4 or C GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths, National 4s in Scotland, not currently being in any form of education, availability for full time shifts, no previous retail apprenticeship, being new to retail, and eligibility to work in the UK. The Team Leader tier additionally needs a full Level 3 qualification and nine months of retail experience.

Sponsors grads?
Not published
Pay vs threshold
Below the threshold
Opportunity
apprenticeship
Pay
From GBP 377 per week for 39 hours on the Learn tier; a live Birmingham Apprentice Sales Assistant role quoted GBP 9.75 per hour
2027 cycle
No published date as of 24 September 2026
Confidence
high
“To be eligible for one of our programmes you need to have at least Grade 4 / C GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.”
Superdrug, from its own careers pages
The catch: Superdrug lists You are eligible to work in the UK as a qualifying condition on its apprentice vacancies and FAQ. That is a right to work requirement, not a statement about whether Superdrug will sponsor anyone, and the company never says either way, so ask. Being in any form of education disqualifies you, which rules out students taking a year out. The programme is closed to anyone who has already done a retail apprenticeship or who is not new to retail. Pay is far below the Skilled Worker salary threshold.

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Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-09-24.

Common questions

Does Superdrug sponsor visas for its rise up apprenticeships?

Unconfirmed. Superdrug publishes no sponsorship policy for its rise up apprenticeships, so we cannot state a firm answer. Superdrug runs a three tier apprenticeship badged Rise Up: Learn for entry level retail, Level Up as a step into management, and Lead On as a step into leadership. The entry tier is a 13 month programme paying from GBP 377 per week over 39 hours, with a live Apprentice Retail Sales Assistant vacancy in Birmingham quoting GBP 9.75 per hour. The training design is the unusual part: all of it happens in store over the first 12 months, with no college days and no homework, ending in a professional discussion and an observation of the apprentice doing the job, leading to a Retailer Level 2 Apprenticeship accredited by Highfield. The qualification is fully funded by Superdrug and the apprentice earns a full time wage throughout. Published eligibility is at least a grade 4 or C GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths, National 4s in Scotland, not currently being in any form of education, availability for full time shifts, no previous retail apprenticeship, being new to retail, and eligibility to work in the UK. The Team Leader tier additionally needs a full Level 3 qualification and nine months of retail experience.

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme sits below the Skilled Worker salary threshold, which is itself a reason sponsorship is not possible.

What is the catch international students miss with Superdrug?

Superdrug lists You are eligible to work in the UK as a qualifying condition on its apprentice vacancies and FAQ. That is a right to work requirement, not a statement about whether Superdrug will sponsor anyone, and the company never says either way, so ask. Being in any form of education disqualifies you, which rules out students taking a year out. The programme is closed to anyone who has already done a retail apprenticeship or who is not new to retail. Pay is far below the Skilled Worker salary threshold.

How should I confirm Superdrug's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Superdrug's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

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Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.