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Degree Partnerships

Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (BSc) Degree Apprenticeship

Final award: 

  • Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree) Apprenticeship
  • BSc Digital and Technology Solutions
Duration 4 years
Entry point(s) September
Application deadline

Dependent on employer, see How to apply

Campus Streatham Campus, Exeter
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 724061

Overview

  • Designed for aspiring technology solutions professionals looking to develop and improve products, services, and productivity through the implementation of technology solutions
  • Apprentices will work in a full-time job with one day a week (6 hours minimum) of their contracted hours being devoted to their studying, both for a degree and gaining off-the-job learning. 
  • Apprentices will engage with one of 5 specialisms, from Business Analysis, IT Consultancy, Cyber Security, Software Engineering or Data Analysis
  • The programme uses a blended approach to teaching with on campus teaching blocks at our Streatham Campus and online study to allow apprentices to fully immerse themselves in learning and allows them to benefit from the university lifestyle when on campus
  • Apprentices join us from a range of organisations from SMEs to large multinational organisations from a variety of sectors

View 2024 Entry

Enquire now

Download our employer brochure

Open days and visit us

Download our programme flyer

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Top 20 for Computer Science

20th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Excellent facilities spanning a wide range of machine types and software ecosystems, alongside a £3.2 million SWIOT building

Apprentices earn a salary and pay zero tuition fees, meaning they’ll graduate debt-free and enhance their career

Accredited by Tech Partnerships Gold and the British Computer Society

Entry requirements

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A Level BBB  
IB 30  
BTEC DDM  
T-level Merit  
Equivalences View other grade equivalences

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.

Other qualifications of a similar level can be considered. We would encourage applicants with non-standard qualifications to contact us to discuss their eligibility. Where a candidate has already gained a good undergraduate degree this may be offered to meet entry requirements.

Please be aware that there is a requirement from the Education and Skills Funding Agency that apprentices hold a level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.

If an applicant does not hold GCSE's (C /4 or above) in English and Maths they should be willing to work towards Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications prior to Gateway. 

 

How to apply

The Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship does not follow the standard UCAS application process. Applicants can apply to this programme in addition to making applications to any institution through UCAS. To gain a place on an apprenticeship applicants must either:

  1. Apply directly for a Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree) apprenticeship vacancy with a relevant employer. Details of apprenticeship vacancies are available on the GOV.UK website.  Some of our partner employers may choose to advertise vacancies through us directly, more information can be found on our current vacancies page. Applicants are welcome to apply for more than one vacancy through any company offering apprenticeship opportunities.
  2. Already have a position or job offer from an organisation willing to support their application

Once an applicant is able to meet one of above options, please get in touch with us via the contact methods listed above to discuss progressing with an application.

View more information here on how to apply.

Funding

Full programme cost: £27,000

The employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution.  See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.

Employers who do not pay the Levy will be able to claim 95 per cent of the cost of the apprenticeship from the Government. Up to 100 per cent Government contribution may be available if the employer has fewer than 50 employees and:

  • Recruits an apprentice aged 16-18
  • OR an apprentice aged 19-24 who has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan

Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.

Funding eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding applicants must meet the criteria listed in the ESFA guidance. 

The apprentice must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.

Read more

Course content

BSc Digital and Technology Solutions is a full University of Exeter degree aligned to the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree) Apprenticeship. The programme combines the academic rigour of Exeter’s long tradition of teaching excellence with the achievement of an industry-recognised professional qualification.

Our syllabus is accredited as meeting Tech Industry Gold standards by employer skills body TechSkills, an organisation that provides industry accreditation for digital and technology higher education, creating high quality degrees and degree apprenticeships that meet employer-defined standards. The programme is also accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional and registration as an IT Technician. Apprentices on the programme will be of a calibre consistent with other University of Exeter programmes.

All apprentices will study the same core modules in their first two and a half years on the programme. In the third year the apprentice will begin work on their chosen specialism. The five specialist pathways are:

  • Software Engineering
  • Data Analysis
  • IT Business Analysis
  • IT Consultancy
  • Cyber Security

Year 1

All modules are compulsory
Taught modules at 15 credits each

30 credits work-based learning

Total 90 credits

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Business Organisation Interpersonal and Foundation Skills Systems Development 1 Information and Data Exams: Term 1 and 2 modules
Reflective Practice 1 Presentation

Year 2

All modules are compulsory
Taught modules at 15 credits each

30 credits work-based learning

Total 90 credits

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
Digital Technology Infrasture IT project Management Information Security Systems Development 2 Exams: Term 1 and 2 modules
Reflective Practice 2 Presentation
Year 3

2 x taught compulsory 15 credit modules
1 x elected specialism 15 credits
45 credits work-based learning

Total 90 credits

Term 1 Term 2 (one module based on specialism) Term 3
Information Systems IT Law and Ethics Software Engineering 1
Business Analysis 1

IT consulting 1
Data Analysis 1
Cyber Security 1

Exams: Term 1 and 2 modules
Reflective Practice 3 Presentation

Year 4

1 x elected specialism 15 credits
1 x chosen module 15 credits

60 credits (final project) work-based learning

Total 90 credits

 
Term 1 (one module based on specialism) Term 2 (one module from other specialism/independent study) Term 3
Software Engineering 2
Business Analysis 2
IT consulting 2
Data Analysis 2
Cyber Security 2
Choose one option from above (Year 3, Term 2 modules except your own specialism) or independent project Exams: Term 1 and 2 modules
Synoptic Project Presentation
End-point Assessment (EPA)

Learning

Approximately 20 per cent of an apprentice's contractual working time will be given over to study. Our model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workloads. No weekly day-release is required, mitigating disruption of their daily role and ensuring maximum flexibility.

All modules are delivered in a blended learning format with work-based learning elements embedded throughout each stage of the programme:

  • 5 days on campus teaching block at the start of term 1 and 2 (September and January)
  • A day a week distance learning during term time
  • Online workshops / classes​
  • Guided self-study
  • Exam and Presentation week in May delivered virtually
  • Assessed work-based learning intended to allow apprentices to practice and improve their skills

E-Learning

E-learning elements of the course, including lectures, seminars and online collaborative work, are undertaken through the University’s electronic learning environment and web conferencing platforms. This will supplement the learning started during residentials, as well as providing academic support for ongoing projects in the workplace.

On-campus teaching blocks

Termly on-campus teaching blocks, held at the University’s Streatham Campus in Exeter, bring apprentices together from across the country. During the on campus teaching blocks they will meet with fellow apprentices, wider members of the computer science department and spend time with their academic mentor.

Work-based projects

Degree apprenticeship projects are developed with a strong emphasis on the close relationship between the employer and University. The academic curriculum follows real delivery in the workplace with the day-to-day challenges faced in a work environment informing coursework.

The varied academic content will provide employers with an opportunity to explore areas of the business that may not fall immediately within the apprentice’s role, such as business organisation or IT law.

Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme; the apprentice will have dedicated mentors to assist and guide them and the employer throughout the whole course of the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Standard

Alongside studying for their level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship certificate, gained after completing the Knowledge, Skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard, apprentices will work towards a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions. 

‌This programme aligns with the level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions standard.

Read more

Careers

About the apprenticeship

This degree has been accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by BCS. An accredited degree entitles apprentices to professional membership of BCS, which is an important part of the criteria for achieving Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status through the Institute and registration as an IT Technician (RITTech). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Highly employable

Solid industry experience is what employers look for when recruiting. As a graduate of a degree apprenticeship programme apprentices will be working in an exciting and relevant job from day one of their studies, meaning when the they’ll have the both the professional and academic experience sought after by employers to drive impact within their organisation.

Employer information

This programme gives you the opportunity to shape the development of your next-generation employees. To meet specific employers’ needs, pathways relating to specific role areas are available across five IT specialisms. Your staff will benefit from gaining extensive professional experience throughout their degree, graduating free of tuition debt into employment.

Our programme is distinctive in the way it minimises disruption to an apprentice’s work and the day to day job they hold with your organisation. They will implement the skills and knowledge they acquire directly into their position from day one, to not on provide new and innovative tech solutions, but increase productivity and efficiency.

Download our Digital and Technology Solutions Brochure