FALLING short of your preferred university is not the end of the world as one Worcestershire graduate has proved.

James Gee, aged 24, who was raised in Charlton, Worcestershire, graduated with a first-class Digital and Technical Solutions (BSc) degree from Aston University last month as one of the country's first degree apprentices.

The course, a partnership between the university's School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Capgemini a global consulting, technology and outsourcing company, offers students the opportunity to achieve a full bachelor's or master's degree as part of their apprenticeship.

Mr Gee studied A Levels in Geology, ICT, Physics and Maths and instead of dropping a subject in his A2 year he carried on with all four, achieving two As and two Bs.

However, this was agonisingly short of the three As he needed to get into his first choice university.

This led him to reassess his route through further education.

"It forced me to explore other avenues that I may not have before," said James.

"I thought about taking a year off and I even thought about dropping the technology route altogether."

A family member heard about the degree apprenticeship scheme and encouraged him to apply.

The apprenticeship began with three months of hard learning at a boot camp before being sent out and placed on real projects.

"The best aspect is that you're earning while you're learning and gaining valuable experience."

"It was a different journey but it was great fun."

"You're working nine-to-five every day so perhaps the social aspect of university is a bit different from others.

"You have to make sacrifices, you have to remember that you've got to be up in the morning."

James now spends his days in Capgemini’s Applied Innovation Exchange in Holborn, London, inventing and developing technology solutions.

"I'm very dedicated to work and I really enjoy working," he said.

"Getting up in a morning is not a chore.

"I don't know of a time in the last five years when I've clock watched."

Mr Gee says his hard work and dedication means he was able to travel the country working for different clients and working on real projects whilst gaining four years of valuable experience, all of which wouldn't have been possible without the degree apprenticeship.

"One of the big perks is seeing somebody benefit from something that I built. You really feel like you're making a difference," he said.

The National Careers Service are hosting a live Q&A with a National Careers Service adviser on Twitter (@NationalCareers) from 11 am to 1pm and on Facebook (@NationalCareersService) from 7pm to 9pm both before and after each results day – A Levels on August, 16 and 18 and GCSEs on August, 23 - 25 and 30.

Young people searching for an apprenticeship should visit gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

To search career options, or to speak to a National Careers Service adviser, search online for National Careers Service, or call 0800 100 900.