Starbucks offers to pay for UK staff university fees

Starbucks will offer eligible employees the chance to have university degrees paid for through a new scheme.

The Starbucks Degree Achievement Plan looks to create opportunities for employees in the UK to earn their degrees online with Arizona State University (ASU).

In 2014, a similar programme was offered to employees in the US, where more than 7,100 full-time and part-time workers are participating in the scheme at the same university.

To apply, employees will need to meet the criteria, which stipulates they must not already have a bachelor's degree, that they meet the university's entry requirements and have been employed in a Starbucks-owned shop for at least three months.

The scheme offers 43 different bachelor's degrees, including business, economics, biochemistry and global studies.

Students are expected to invest 18-24 hours per class per week on coursework in a seven-week session.

An enrolment coach, academic adviser and a success coach provide support to the employees as they progress towards graduation.

Starbucks and ASU are covering all of the mandatory university tuition fees for the courses and classes required to complete the degree.

However, employees will be responsible for funding equipment, materials and books required to support their degree.