The introduction and expansion of Degree Apprenticeships, and higher-level apprenticeships more generally, has had a positive effect on widening access to professional and organisational careers as well as in some fields to progression within professions (Lester & Bravenboer 2020; Lillis & Bravenboer 2022). However, as discussed by Talbot et al (2019) this has been accompanied by a decrease in employer- and individually-negotiated programmes. The reduction in negotiated work-based learning (NWBL) opportunities and decline in heutagogically-based higher education raises questions about what opportunities have been closed down, for whom, and how these might be revisited.