u/d0nutacle

Hi everyone, this is long, please bare with me and help me out here :,)
After nearly a year of applying (and lots of rejections), I’ve ended up with two degree apprenticeship offers within the same hour of each other, and I’m finding it really difficult to decide, because of multiple factors but my main one is grades. The second one is starting times. Option one starts 24th August (after results) and option2 starts 1st August (before results). My fear is taking up option two and moving, then being kicked off the apprenticeship programme due to not meeting grades. I thought to do my best in the first 10 days to show them how strong I am but idk how much that will help my case here. I was a strong performer in the assessment centre, because I had passion for it. I performed so well in the assessment centre for that company that I got told it was a unanimous decision to offer me the position, and I got the offer 1.5 hours after leaving the assessment centre. I thought I had been rejected from option one as I had emailed and no response. Onto grades, I was predicted A*A*B in maths physics and statistics a level. I hold a grade C in geography a level from the year before. I don’t know but i genuinely feel I messed up on my maths and physics. I’m not saying this out of fear but reality, that I know I didn’t do well. I believe I’ve gotten CCDD with a c in geography, and statistics and then d in maths and physics. If maths grade boundaries are ok I think I have chance for a C. So ultimately CCCD which I think I may be able to work with. Option one requires CCC so I would get in, option 2 required BB but idk bc it’s only 2 a levels they want. I get a call on the way back from my option one assessment centre, then from option two after that. It may be possible I got an E in physics aswell as I’m looking back and realising I didn’t answer a lot of mcq and even main questions I was clueless for so many because of stress and lack of understanding.
Here’s the options weighed
Option 1
Electrical ICA Engineer Degree Apprentice
£24k salary starting (this is very tempting)
I’m the only apprentice for this, I think one other mechanical engineer apprentice and that’s it.
I see pros and cons, more way to work my way up, but all attention on me so it’s possible to be replaced.
Degree with sheffield hallam uni (BEng)
4-6 years (not sure yet how much but they mentioned 6 years and one said 4)
Large company
Hands on engineering, working on electrical/control & instrumentation systems and sites
Around 3.5–4 hours from my home, so I’d need to relocate but that’s not an issue for me
Option 2
Material Science Degree Apprentice
£19k starting salary (apparently I can move up throughout the years but it’s much less than I expected).
Degree with the University of Derby (BEng)
4 years
Specialist materials science company
Lab based work rather than field engineering
Looks like it’s me and a few other apprentices about 4 maybe and there’s lots of apprentices the year above.
Around 2 hours from home, so relocation is still needed but it’s closer
Here’s some context:
I originally applied almost exclusively for engineering degree apprenticeships because I enjoy engineering and thought it would suit me well.
My long term interests include aerospace and potentially f1 one day.
However, after attending option two’s assessment centre, I genuinely loved the company culture. The team was incredibly welcoming, everyone seemed close knit, and I felt like I really clicked with the people there. Apprentices and senior managers seemed to work close together and have their independence still.
Option one is also a fantastic opportunity, and I was successful after several stages including a final interview with principal engineers in which they decided to offer me the position.
My main questions are:
If you’ve worked in either electrical engineering or materials science, what has your experience been like into engineering or industries like aerospace/F1? I get both will get me into these industries but I’m still still curious. This isn’t my biggest priority tho.
Would you prioritise the higher salary and engineering route, or the company culture and subject that surprised you by how much you enjoyed it? It is and engineering degree tho for both. But it’s the salary and grades.
Is there anything I’m overlooking aswell.
I was thinking to take up the option 2 and if I get kicked off because of grades I’ll go to the option one electrical engineering, but that’s dependant on when they get me to sign contracts etc. I don’t know how to speak about this with the early careers people, I understand I performed well and am happy I am. I’m torn between will they let me off with bad grades bc of my actual performance on practical things or not? Also I don’t want my offer to be taken away if I mention this to them :/
Also! University requirements for the course were low for both. Option two required 98 ucas points, and I’m sure I’ll get that at least. But depends on the company!
Thank you for reading, I’d appreciate any help or advice!