Want a degree with that? KFC serves up debt-free BA honours courses in business management to its staff 

  • Course fees, travel and accommodation costs will be covered by KFC
  • Scheme is to allow students to work and study without accumulating debt
  • Members of staff must have at least five GCSE grade of A* to C to apply
  • It launched this summer and is similar to a managers' scheme in 2013

By Anthony Joseph for MailOnline

Published: 03:29 EST, 1 September 2016 | Updated: 07:53 EST, 1 September 2016

Employees at KFC will swap frying chicken for studying at a university campus as the fast-food chain is offering debt-free courses in business management.

The staff members will graduate with a BA honours degree after four years of online studying and support from a mentor at each UK branch.

Course fees, travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the fast-food chain and is part government funded.

Employees at KFC will swap frying chicken for studying at a university campus as the fast-food chain is offering debt-free courses in business management

Employees at KFC will swap frying chicken for studying at a university campus as the fast-food chain is offering debt-free courses in business management

The scheme is aims to allow students to work and study without building up a hefty loan by the end of their university life.

The initiative launched this summer with a group of 10 employees and is due to rise to 25 places.

It is only open to members of staff who have at least five GCSE grades of A* to C.

Liam Thomson, 18, turned down the chance to study law and business at the University of Northumbria in favour of the KFC offer.

He said: 'I knew that I had to go for the KFC degree apprenticeship as soon as I saw it,' he said. 

'I had applied to study law and business at university but the costs really put me off. A lot of people don't go to university now as it's too expensive, so I feel really lucky that I am improving my career prospects and continuing my education without getting into any debt.' 

Cody Cluff, KFC head of personnel for UK & Ireland, said: 'We are hugely proud of the degree apprenticeship programme. (It) will help nurture the talent we need for the future.' 

The staff members will graduate with a BA honours degree after four years of online studying and support from a mentor at each UK branch

The staff members will graduate with a BA honours degree after four years of online studying and support from a mentor at each UK branch

Three years ago KFC became the first fast-food chain in Britain to pay its staff to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree while working full-time.

Managers were able to apply to study for an honours course in business management.

Including bonuses, they were able to earn up to £68,000 a year while they pursued the KFC degree.

Every outlet’s staff room was given a computer that could be used for coursework, and students spent between 12 and 14  days each year at De Montfort University in Leicester.

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