Business Administration Apprentice

University of Cambridge, Department of Public Health & Primary Care - Primary Care Unit

(approx. 2 miles south of Cambridge city centre) (CB1 8RN)

Closes on Sunday 6 September 2026

Posted on 28 July 2026

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Summary

The Primary Care Unit within the University of Cambridge are seeking to recruit a Business Administration Apprentice to join our professional services team. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside experienced staff to gain practical experience in a busy academic research environment.

Wage

£20,058 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Annual increments in salary
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday (times of work will be notified to you by the institution).

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year 8 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Key responsibilities:

  • Provide administrative support to the PCU Administrator, PCU Operations Manager, and the wider PCU team.
  • Assist with day-to-day enquiries and general office management across both sites.
  • Act as the first point of contact for the reception team, assisting with post, parcel, and visitor enquiries.
  • Monitor and respond to the shared email inbox, escalating enquiries to the PCU Administrator or PCU Operations Manager as appropriate.
  • Support the management of room bookings within the PCU.
  • Prepare meeting rooms in the required layout and set up audio-visual equipment across both sites.
  • Arrange travel and accommodation for PCU members and visitors.
  • Provide diary management support for key stakeholders.
  • Process purchases via the CUFS system.
  • Reconcile invoices using the SoftCo system.
  • Onboard new claimants and arrange payment of expense claims through SAP Concur.
  • Organise catering, arrange payment, and coordinate delivery for PCU meetings and events.
  • Monitor and maintain PCU stationery and catering supplies.
  • Work alongside the PCU Administrator to prepare workstations and support inductions for new starters.
  • Assist the PCU Administrator and PCU Operations Manager in maintaining Teams channels and updating relevant processes and documentation.

Where you'll work

Strangeways Research Laboratory
Worts Causeway
Cambridge
(approx. 2 miles south of Cambridge city centre)
CB1 8RN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

Standard University Staff Training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 4/C and above)
  • Maths (grade Grade 4/C and above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Patience

About this employer

The Primary Care Unit is a unit within the Department of Public Health & Primary Care, which sits within the School of Clinical Medicine. 

The School of Clinical Medicine is one of the Schools within the University of Cambridge. The School of Clinical Medicine is a vibrant and dynamic hub of clinical medical education and research excellence.

The University of Cambridge is consistently ranked one of the best universities in the world, achieving academic excellence through its Faculties, Departments and other Institutions, together with the 31 Colleges.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Possibility of employment upon completion of apprenticeship or assistance with seeking employment with the University after.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045047.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 6 September 2026