Digital Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship

In the  Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship  you will study a BSc(Hons) in Software Engineering.  

The programme will develop your understanding of software engineering principles to all stages of the solution life-cycle from gathering requirements to analysis, design, code, build, test, implementation, security and support. You will develop skills to supervise others who may be working on elements of the solution and work with product managers and UX designers in implementing solutions.  As well as creating new code, you will be able to support existing code by troubleshooting, reverse engineering and conducting root cause analysis.

This apprenticeship is suitable for apprentices who are undertaking a variety of roles in organisations where digital technologies can be used to solve problems that exist across a range of functions.

After completion, graduates typically join roles such as Programmer, Developer, Software Development Engineer and Software Engineer in the high assurance software industry where software plays a crucial role in controlling systems that need to perform in safe manners.

The software engineering professional pathway on Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship, is designed and delivered with Rolls-Royce, and recruiting an open cohort from other high assurance software companies, will provide the highest quality technical resource into these difficult-to-fill, and retain, roles, meeting the needs of employers in the city, region and beyond. 

You will be studying for this qualification by part-time study over 4 years. In a model popular with the apprentices and employers alike which balances the demands of on and off-the-job learning, along with progress towards achieving key skills and behaviors (KSBs) and preparing for End Point Assessment. This apprenticeship has an integrated End Point Assessment (EPA) within the Individual Project in the final year.  You will study the apprenticeship over four academic years below, over 3 semesters per year in years 1 – 3 and 2 semesters in year 4.  You will be taught at the University of Derby’s Markeaton Street site on a day-release model of 1 day per week, with 4 days being at your place of work with your Employer.

If you do not achieve a BEng (Hons) Software Engineering award you may exit with the academic award of:

• Diploma of Higher Education in Software Engineering (240 credits, with a minimum of 120 credits at level 5).
• Certificate of Higher Education in Software Engineering (120 credits at Level 4 or above).

To successfully complete a Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship, you must complete the End Point Assessment.

If you are unable to complete your apprenticeship, your Programme Leader will seek to transfer you to an alternative degree programme at the University.  This may be in another area of Computing or maybe Electronics Engineering, depending on the amount of the apprenticeship you have studied.

Apprentices will be recruited by companies prior to the commencement of the academic year in which they start their studies. For current employees, the standard entry requirements below apply.:

• You will be employed by a sponsoring organisation
• As employees your academic qualifications will have been assessed by your organisation. These would normally include three A-levels (or equivalent) at grade C or above to include a STEM subject (excluding General Studies)
• As alternatives to A-levels you could present an Extended BTEC level 3 at DDM in a relevant STEM area or a T-Level at Distinction in a relevant STEM area – relevance is assessed in the admissions process
• Candidates are expected to hold 5 GCSE’s incl. Maths Grade 4/C, English Language Grade 4/C plus others at Grade 4/C.
• Direct entry at level 5 will be commensurate on achieving RPL equivalent to level 4 of the degree programme in academic study.
• The selection of participants is consistent with the University’s equal opportunities policies and sensitive to legal obligations to avoid discrimination on the basis of gender, race or disability

Such requirements are a guide – we will also consider all the information that you have included in your application, and we want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated.

The Programme Team welcomes applications from apprentices with disabilities and have an excellent record in providing specialist support during your studies. 

The cost will be paid for by the employer.

More details for employers

The cost of this apprenticeship will normally be in line with the funding band £27,000 but we will consider individual agreements, depending on student numbers and your involvement.

If you pay into the Apprenticeship Levy, this funding will be used. If you don't, generous government subsidies are available - talk to us to find out more.

You will need to apply through your employer. However, you can find out more from us - please see below for contact information.

Contact us

Apprenticeship Hub

• Email: apprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)1332 593092