I get paid to study while my twin pays £40k for the same degree – here’s why

Having an identical twin is like growing up with a built-in best friend - someone who knows your story before you’ve even finished telling it.  

Beyond our shared DNA, we mirror each other in ways that make it feel effortless to be understood. No one gets me quite like my twin sister does. 

Freya and I entered the world together and, for much of our lives, moved through it side by side: the same home, the same schools, the same interests, the same ambitions.  

For identical twins, this kind of parallel upbringing forges a bond like no other, but it also invites comparison. Often, without anyone realising, twins are measured against one another: who reaches milestones first, who does better at school, who finds their footing faster in work and life. 

When we left college, we both knew we wanted to embark on careers in marketing. That part surprised no one. What may have come as a surprise to some is that for the first time, we went our separate ways on different routes to get where we wanted. 

In response to the BBC’s latest article, we are sharing our observations so far, to show that there’s more than one way to arrive at a destination. 

Whilst we are both still in the initial stages of our journeys, if there was ever a case for highlighting the pros and cons of the different routes, it’s through the experiences of identical twins.  

Why we took different paths 

I knew I wanted to experience working life and felt ready to embrace that responsibility. At college, I gravitated towards hands-on creative subjects and enjoyed learning through doing, rather than classroom bums-on-seats, pens-out, eyes-on-the-whiteboard instruction.  

This left me with the niggling thought that a traditional university education might not be the right route for me, so I sought out a degree apprenticeship scheme where I could earn the same level of education, whilst complementing my skill set.  

Freya, on the other hand, always responded better to a more academic approach to learning and thrived in the certainty of a more structured schedule and clearly defined study time.  

What’s more, she couldn’t wait to experience living away from home for the first time, so she packed up her things and made tracks to Nottingham Trent University.   

Differences in daily life 

Last September, I began my degree apprenticeship at Democracy- in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.  

Most days, I’m immersed in the fast pace of agency life - pitching stories, shaping digital campaigns, and learning the realities of social and influencer marketing from the inside. One day a week, I swap the office for the classroom to work towards my degree.  

The apprenticeship route has been perfect for me. Learning doesn’t happen in theory alone, but in real time, with real clients and real consequences. I’ve been building industry experience from day one in a professional environment. 

For Freya, the traditional university route has been invaluable for her learning. With around 10 hours a week spent in lectures and seminars, and work placements offered later in the course, she benefits from the excitement of a new learning environment and the camaraderie of navigating her journey alongside classmates. 

Costs and trade offs  

Beyond academic differences, our choices have also shaped our lives differently. Freya’s move to university meant relocating to a new city, living independently, meeting new people, and taking on the full financial responsibility that comes with that freedom.  

According to Save the Student, the average UK student will spend approximately £40,000 on their three-year undergraduate degree, and that number jumps to £70,000 if you consider essential living expenses. To earn extra spending money, Freya would need to get an unrelated job on top of her studies, and she would still end her course with student debt.  

My degree apprenticeship, by contrast, means gaining immediate professional experience in my chosen industry, and earning as I learn.  

Democracy pays its apprentices the National Living Wage and upwards as roles diversify, so by the end of my course, I will have avoided the burden of student debt, as well as having had the opportunity to save for my future goals.  

However, that stability comes with trade-offs. Working full-time brings responsibilities that most students don’t face. My week is five days in the office, with protected time for independent study built into my working hours. It means spinning lots of plates, and there’s less flexibility for late nights and last-minute plans.  

Whilst this might not sound like the dream for all 19-year-olds, this works perfectly for me. By the time I graduate, I’ll have four years of industry experience, a degree, and no need to step into an increasingly competitive job market.  

Embracing personal learning styles 

The experience I’m gaining at Democracy - working with leading UK brands across social, news, AI and influencer campaigns - has already helped me build practical skills in real-world situations.  

Freya has been gaining similar experiences, but her marketing exposure is through case studies and theory. She’s able to explore the impact of dos and don'ts without the pressure of real-life consequences, so she’ll know exactly what to do when she steps into the field.  

Whilst neither option is ‘better’, each student learns in their own unique way, and deserves choices when it comes to the kind of education they opt for.  

Traditional university courses have long been hailed as the ‘gateway’ to securing a spot on the career ladder, and many don’t realise that apprenticeships like mine are an option for them. 

A study by CIPD found that more than half of university graduates would have considered taking an apprenticeship rather than going to university, but just 1% received enough meaningful support at school to apply.  

By showing that identical twins can embark on the same goal through different pathways, I hope to widen the conversation about the value of apprenticeships and show that there is more than one valid route into a career. 

As for Freya and me, we still make time for each other. I get a taste of university life on the weekends, and she comes home often thanks to the flexibility of her schedule. 

We’re on different paths to the same destination - growing in our own ways, but through each other, getting the best of both worlds.