• Undergraduate
  • Apprenticeship

Digital and Technology Solutions: Software Engineer

BSc (Hons) Level 6
Overview

Overview

The Software Engineer Degree Apprenticeship at the University of West London will give you the knowledge and skills you need to provide technology-enabled solutions to internal and/or external customers.

With this apprenticeship you can gain a valuable university degree while continuing to earn as you work in a relevant field, all without having to pay tuition fees.

The role of a software engineer

The primary role of a software engineer is to design, build and test high-quality software solutions.

The software engineer role is broader than that of a software developer and involves more responsibility. As a software engineer you'll need to apply engineering principles to all stages of the software development process, including:

  • requirements
  • analysis
  • design
  • development
  • data requirements.

You will also need to ensure security robustness is built in. In this role you will typically be working as part of a larger collaborative team and will have responsibility for significant elements of software projects.

Software engineers at workstations

Select a start date below to see relevant course information:

Start date:

Accreditations and partners

Accreditations and partners

Accredited by TechSkills.

Requirements

Requirements

Requirements for apprentices

A levels (level 3), normally in a minimum of two subjects, plus A*-C or 9-4 GCSE qualifications (Level 2) in English and Maths. Applicants with no formal qualifications will also be considered on an individual basis.

English and maths only

If you do not have evidence of these qualifications, then we strongly recommend you achieve these before you start the apprenticeship.

For applicants living in London*, we have free courses-please see information here:

Open the door to new career possibilities with our free courses in Maths and English (uwl.ac.uk)

*You must be able to meet the eligibility criteria.

If you have an overseas qualification, we will check this for its UK equivalency during your application and let you know what you may need to do to meet the requirement.

Eligibility

All apprenticeships starting from 1 August 2021:

Eligibility is subject to Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Apprenticeship Funding Rules. Over the duration of the apprenticeship, you must meet the eligibility requirements in place at the time, including:

  • Have the right to work and study in England
  • Spend at least 50% of your working time in England; and
  • Are a UK citizen and have been ordinarily resident for the last three years in the UK or meet one of the following immigration statuses:

UK and Irish Nationals: have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for the three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

EEA nationals: have either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA, Gibraltar, or the UK for at least the previous three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

*Non-EEA nationals: you are eligible if you have permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the first day of the start of the apprenticeship.

* You must meet the UK government’s eligibility criteria for apprenticeship funding: 

Where an applicant for an apprenticeship does not hold a UK passport as a British citizen, these requirements state that you must have an immigration permission in the UK that allows you to study and will cover the length of the whole apprenticeship in full without you needing to extend your visa or immigration permission during the apprenticeship.

Please check the guidance for further clarification, particularly for information on:

  • Family members of UK and EEA nationals
  • Individuals with certain types of immigration status and their family members
  • Asylum seekers
  • Other immigration status.

You can also contact the Student Admissions Team admissions@uwl.ac.uk if you require further clarification.

Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The aim of this apprenticeship is to produce IT professionals who are capable of making a real contribution to their employer in a range of roles during and after the degree. The Degree Apprenticeship will equip you with the key IT professional skills and knowledge across three years. 

Compulsory modules

  • Mathematics for Computing

    This module will introduce students to the main concepts and techniques of discrete structures and their applications in computer science. Main areas covered by the course include logic, set theory, relations and functions and combinatorics.

  • Programming

    The module provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of Java programming language and object programming concepts. It will focus on the design and build of Java desktop applications using the Java Development Kit and popular Integrated Development Environments, following established industry standard methodologies. The module will have a strong emphasis on using OO modelling techniques to interpret and implement business related applications.

  • Information Systems and Databases

    This module aims to introduce students to information systems theory and to explore the way that databases underpin IS systems. The module will also examine the principles and techniques involved in implementing relational databases. It will cover database environments, database analysis, database design and will also give an introduction to database security and transaction management. Oracle will be used to explore the capabilities of SQL and to construct a small relational database.

  • Algorithms and Data Types

    This module will help you to gain the knowledge and competence to deal with basic data structures and algorithms. You will learn how to specify collections using abstract data types (ADTs) and to implement them using a variety of techniques such as linked lists and trees. You'll also use a range of algorithms, including searching and sorting.

  • Fundamentals of Network and Security

    The module provides a business focussed view of networks and security. The role of the network is fundamental to most organisations and the key focus of this module is on understanding some of the key technologies and services offered; how they fit within an organisation with emphasis on security issues and the role of the professionals that plan, deploy and manage the networks.

  • Work-Based Studies in Digital and Technology Sector

    This module gives academic credit for learning that occurs in the workplace. Current knowledge will be identified and evidenced. New learning relevant to the needs of you as the apprentice and your employer will be identified along with learning opportunities and resources.

    The learning outcomes will be unique to you and your employer. They will be defined in an individual learning agreement, which will include details of how the outcomes are to be achieved. You will identify a work-related issue or challenge which requires investigation, leading to the identification of a suitable topic, which must present you with sufficient intellectual challenge.

    You will develop and demonstrate that you have applied study skills effectively, such as exploring complex concepts and theories, and making informed judgements.

Compulsory modules

  • Mobile Web App Development

    This module will allow you to gain experience in developing mobile web applications, and have an introduction to the tools, languages and design techniques required for building functional applications. During the module you will gain exposure to a programming language that can support native mobile application development, and you will be introduced to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) software design pattern.

  • Theory of Computation

    You will gain the knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts of computational theory and computational complexity. You will learn how to examine whether a given problem can be solved computationally.

  • Group Research Project

    This module is designed to bring together the tools and techniques covered in earlier modules dealing with industrially recognised development frameworks that incorporate prototyping. It looks at the methods of analysing a business problem and subsequently highlights the process of utilising the different software development process models, which can be applied in the realisation of a software solution. In particular it addresses the issues raised through following iterative and incremental development approaches.

    In addition, the module is designed to allow students to learn to carry out research activities in a systematic and organised way and to critically evaluate and review their work and the work of others. The skills learnt within this module will prepare students to research and explore project ideas that they may work on during their final year.

  • Functional Programming

    This module provides you with the chance to gain further experience with another programming paradigm. You will learn how to write programs using a functional programming language, Haskell. 

    Functional programming is a programming paradigm that treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions and avoids changing-state and mutable data. For example, building an application with Functional Programming following the model Function as a Service (FAAS) is one way of achieving a "serverless" architecture and is used when building microservices applications of cloud computing.

  • Systems Analysis and Design

    This module will allow the student to practice systems analysis and design techniques in order to provide a design solution to a specific problem. The content of module will include:

    1. Elicitation methods
    2. Task and data analysis
    3. Establishment and management of requirements
    4. Analysis and design documentation, e.g. use cases, sequence diagrams, conceptual models
    5. Change management
    6. Risk management
  • Marketing and Organisation Management

    This aim of the module is to enable the students to gain an overall understanding of marketing and organisation management. It allows the students to fully understand the day-to-day operations, including the various functions within organisations. Students will also learn how HRM can play a significant role in organisations in the long term through learning and development. Furthermore, the module will introduce the principles, methods and tools of marketing.

Compulsory modules

  • Machine Learning

    Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence that provides systems with the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.

    This module familiarises you with some basic machine learning algorithms and techniques and their applications, as well as general questions related to analysing and handling large data sets. Several software libraries and data sets publicly available will be used to illustrate the application of these algorithms. The emphasis will be thus on machine learning algorithms and applications, with some broad explanation of the underlying principles.

  • Applied Software Engineering

    This module aims to develop an understanding of the important issues relating to the development of large software projects with application of design patterns and component based architectures. The structure is based on the theme of a lifecycle model with the attainment of quality as an underlying theme. It is expected that an on-going case-study will be used to underpin the theoretical concepts and practical issues.

  • Enterprise Security Management

    This module emphasises on the security requirements for enterprises in the digital world. It will take an explicit approach towards identifying the security risks for organizations in the current era and delve into a holistic approach to address/mitigate against these risks. The content of the module will include:

    • Introduction to a digital enterprise
    • Threats to enterprise infrastructure
    • The information security process: Prevention, Detection and Response
    • Authentication and Authorization for enterprise networks
    • Risk Assessment
    • Intrusion Detection and Response
    • Security Auditing
    • Backup and Disaster recovery
    • Best practices for organizational security
    • Emerging trends for enterprise security.
  • Distributed Systems

    You will cover the fundamental concepts and models, algorithmic and architectural techniques, developmental principles and approaches of modern distributed systems. You will enhance your critical analysis, problem solving and technical skills in distributed systems software design and implementation.

  • Synoptic project

    The synoptic project is a work-based project that broadly represents the skills, knowledge and behaviours in the standard. The project will provide substantive evidence from a business-related project to demonstrate the application of skills and knowledge. The end point assessment integrates the project outcomes and presentation into the overall synoptic project assessment. It will take place over a period of around 6 months, in the final year of the programme. It is designed to assess apprentices in a consistent way, irrespective of their particular workplace. Because of the significance of the project, the employer and university should work together with the apprentice to agree a project that is achievable within the employer’s business constraints and that meets the requirements of the standard. The project should be conducted as part of the apprentice’s normal work. Employers should make suitable allowance for the project to be undertaken, both in terms of time and resources. However there are some elements such as the writing of the report, particularly in its reflective aspects, that may be undertaken outside of normal work. This should be agreed between apprentice, employer and university such that apprentices are not disadvantaged in any way from performing their job and meeting the requirements of the project. Any issues with confidentiality and/or security will also be addressed between the university, employer and apprentice, allowing for projects of business value to be undertaken using real data. The project should relate to one of the specialisms in the standard.

Teaching & learning

Teaching & learning

A student in a blue and white jumper writes in a notepad in front of a computer

The learning and teaching approach to the course draws on the experience of our academic staff in delivering part-time and work-based provision, combined with our expertise in the digital and technology field. Our approach promotes the principles of scholarship, employability and active learning.

Combining theory with professional practice will be key to your learning. You will be introduced to the key theories and concepts and will be able to explore these in relation to examples and real-world case studies. These can be drawn from your own professional practice as well as those provided by the academic staff team.

The teaching and learning strategy includes the provision of blended modes of delivery to enhance active engagement of all students in the learning process.

Technology expertise is a core element of this course of study and thus it will also be incorporated within the learning and teaching approach. You will have access to a wide variety of technologies such as Oracle, R, JAVA, HADOOP and Eclipse. Staff will routinely draw on a range of technological resources, which include: 

  • videos
  • wikis
  • webinars
  • screen capture technologies.
A male student looking at dual screen monitors

Our virtual learning environment (Blackboard) will support you as a student, both on and off campus. Electronic submission and feedback is utilised where appropriate and a range of technology solutions are also used to support communication between staff and students.

We will encourage you to develop critical scholarship and independent learning, and be actively engaged as you progress through your studies. The culmination of this is the synoptic project, which is a major piece of work-based and scholarly activity that combines your academic studies with professional practice. The synoptic project is work-based, enabling you to provide substantive evidence from a business-related project to demonstrate your ability to apply skills and knowledge.

The End Point Assessment (EPA) integrates the project outcomes and presentation into your overall synoptic project assessment. The EPA will take place over a period of around six months, during the final year of your course. It is designed to assess your knowledge and skills in a consistent way, irrespective of the workplace in which you are based.

A student coding using two monitors

Study mode

As an apprentice, you'll spend 20% of your working time 'off-the-job', studying at the University. Study is part-time, on weekdays, in a combination of single days and blocks of days: 

  • Day release: One day per week in the autumn (September - January) and Spring (February - May) semesters. Hours of study are six hours a day for 16 weeks in Year 1 and eight hours a day for 14 weeks in Years 2 & 3.
  • Block release: 10 days over 4 weeks in the summer (June to August) semester.
A student wearing a yellow jumper sitting at a table by a window using a laptop

How you will be assessed

The course has been designed to offer a strong combination of academic study with vocational application, developing expertise and skills for a professional career in the digital and technology field. Opportunities to apply your learning in the workplace and reinforce university-based studies will be provided throughout the course. You will also be expected to draw upon your workplace for examples, broader opinions, chances to apply concepts, and opportunities to try out techniques and tools.

Modules are assessed predominantly by coursework assignments reflecting a work-based orientation of the course. Although not all assessment can be based on work undertaken in the workplace, where possible this will be the preferred mode of assessment.

At all levels the assessment of modules includes a mix of summative and formative elements. A key goal is to ensure that assessments are supporting the learning experience. The driving force of the assessment strategy is the course learning outcomes.  A key goal is to ensure that assessments are supporting the learning experience. 

Costs & fees

Costs & fees

Costs for apprentices

Although there are no tuition fees payable by you as an apprentice, additional costs may be incurred which are outside of the apprenticeship levy funding. Please discuss additional costs directly with your employer.

Costs for employers

For employers, the costs of training your apprentice will usually be covered by the apprenticeship levy. Find out more about how apprenticeship funding works.

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Malte Ressin

Dr Malte Ressin

I have extensive experience of working within the software development industry and academia; academic authoring and publication review for journals and conferences.

I have extensive experience of working within the software development industry and academia; academic authoring and publication review for journals and conferences.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Student working on a computer, looking at a large monitor screen.

As an apprentice on the Software Engineer Degree Apprenticeship, you will be able to apply the knowledge you gain from your studies to your professional practice. You will benefit from:

  • a BSc (Hons) degree from University of West London without having to pay tuition fees
  • the opportunity to work in a professional area and be paid a salary
  • being able to study partly by work-based learning, which can be more immediately and clearly relevant.

More specifically, the BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) Degree Apprenticeship will help you gain the capacity to:

  • help businesses exploit technology solutions for competitive advantage
  • create effective and secure software solutions using contemporary software development languages
  • perform code reviews, debugging and refactoring to improve code quality and efficiency
  • deliver software solutions using industry standard build processes into enterprise environments.
Further study options

If you would like to progress to further study, this degree apprenticeship enables successful apprentices to progress to a MSc-level course.

Contact us

Contact us

Janet is wearing a smart stripey jacket and black top. She has pink lipstick and red-brown hair and is facing towards the camera.

Janet Rowson, Director of Apprenticeships

Please get in touch with Janet Rowson to find out more about working with the University of West London as a training provider.

Please get in touch with Janet Rowson to find out more about working with the University of West London as a training provider.